Pixar’s Elio Contains Hidden Easter Egg for Upcoming Film

Pixar has unveiled an exciting new sci-fi film titled Elio, which intriguingly includes a subtle reference to their upcoming project, Hoppers. This marks yet another return to the sci-fi realm for the studio, reminiscent of the success they achieved with Wall-E, though this time the focus shifts from robots to a young boy.

The film’s protagonist, Elio, is a solitary child who feels disconnected on Earth. His life takes a thrilling turn when he is unexpectedly abducted by aliens and transported into the cosmos. Upon arrival at the Communiverse, an intergalactic organization, Elio meets various planetary leaders from across the galaxy. During his adventures, keen observers may catch a glimpse of a character tied to Pixar’s future film, Hoppers.

Hidden References in Elio

An animal is loose in Pixar's Hoppers. — Disney/Pixar

Artwork from the upcoming Pixar movie Hoppers.

During a recent presentation for Elio in London, producer Mary Alice Drumm disclosed that the film is packed with hidden references, including a playful nod to Hoppers, set to release in Spring 2026. Drumm stated, “The lizard in the movie is an Easter egg from Hoppers.”

For those unfamiliar with Hoppers, the official synopsis teases an innovative premise: “What if you could talk to animals and understand their language? In Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film Hoppers, scientists have discovered how to ‘hop’ human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with the animal kingdom. This adventure introduces Mabel, an animal enthusiast who seizes the opportunity presented by this technology, leading her to explore extraordinary mysteries within the animal world.”

A message sent to space in Elio. — Disney/Pixar

The design Elio creates in the sand resembles the Pixar campus.

Drumm also revealed a unique nod to Pixar itself in a scene where Elio draws in the sand.“The design he creates while lying on the beach is a rough representation of the Pixar campus, including the amphitheater, ” she explained.

Asked about her favorite Easter egg while working on Elio, Drumm pointed out a fun inside joke referencing the film’s directors, Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian. She shared how busy the production environment can be: “We had a Slack channel, which many of you may use, where we tracked the directors constantly. It evolved into ‘Where’s Domee and Maddy?’ and eventually just ‘Where’s Domad?’ So, we included a ‘Domad’ radio in the film.”

Elio is set to hit theaters worldwide on June 20, 2025. For fans interested in upcoming Pixar projects, find out which two films the studio plans to reboot here.