Pixar's Soul Offers A Magical, Musical First Look

Pixar's Soul is nearing its debut on December 25, and the animation studio is offering a first look at the movie with a new clip. Soul tells the story of jazz musician Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), whose big break is cut short when his soul becomes separated from his body. Long before he wakes up in the dark place, this clip shows us a bit of his life back on earth--and explaining his passion for music.

In a release accompanying the new clip, co-director Pete Docter says that passion was something everyone on staff could relate to--especially among the filmmakers who grew up in musical families. "My folks are both teachers and both musicians," said Docter. "Here are three kids and we all became musicians. I think my mom enjoyed having the Von Trapp family; when people would come over, we'd have to perform."

Kemp Powers, co-director, said, "My son’s name is Mingus. He's named after [jazz composer] Charles Mingus… A lot of us Gen Xers, particularly Black Gen Xers, fell in love with the bebop-era jazz artists."

In addition to Foxx, Soul's cast also includes Tina Fey, Questlove, Daveed Diggs, Richard Ayoade, Phylicia Rashad, and more. Doctor and Powers co-wrote the script with Mike Jones.

Soul is hardly the only new Pixar on the horizon. During the Disney Investor Day on December 10, Pixar revealed two new projects--including a surprising Toy Story spinoff.