Disney and Pixar released the official teaser trailer for their upcoming animated feature film "Gatto" on Thursday.

The film marks a return to original storytelling for the studio, moving away from sequels and franchises to explore a new creative concept. This shift aims to introduce fresh narratives to the studio's portfolio while leveraging high-profile voice talent.

Set in the canal-ridden and superstitious city of Venice, Italy [1], the story centers on a group of gangster cats [3]. The production is directed by Enrico Casarosa [1]. Mark Ruffalo provides the voice for a character named Nero, while Laurence Fishburne voices a character named Rocco [1, 2].

"Gatto" is the 32nd animated feature produced by Pixar [3]. The teaser provides a first look at the visual style and the criminal underworld of the feline protagonists as they navigate the unique geography of Venice [1, 4].

The studio has scheduled the film for a theatrical release on March 5, 2027 [3, 2]. This puts the project in the long-term pipeline as Pixar continues to balance its output of original stories with established intellectual properties [2].

“The story is set in Venice, Italy”

The announcement of 'Gatto' signals Pixar's continued commitment to original IP amidst a broader industry trend of relying on sequels. By setting the film in Venice and utilizing a 'gangster' theme for animals, the studio is attempting to blend a specific cultural atmosphere with a high-concept premise to attract a wide demographic ahead of its 2027 release.