Pixar’s latest film, Elio, may not have been a box office success, but once it comes home, audiences are going to discover they missed something special. The story of a young boy who travels to space and is forced to save his planet by befriending a group of aliens is funny, exciting, and extremely heartfelt. Yes, it had a long trip to the finish line, but once it got there, it stuck the landing.
Elio is coming to digital download on Tuesday, August 19, ahead of its physical release on September 9 and eventual arrival on Disney+. To celebrate, Disney has given io9 the exclusive reveal of one of the release’s several deleted scenes. This one, called “Home Visit,” is taken from a version of the movie where the main character, Olga (Zoe Saldaña), was actually Elio’s mom. In the final film, she’s his aunt, which creates a whole new dynamic. Plus, as you’ll see in the setup before the clip, directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi explain how they went way too far overcomplicating this scene. Which is what makes it both perfect for deletion and to watch now.
In the movie, it’s much simpler how Elio clones Glordon, and that return to Earth hits much harder. So, we understand why this was cut. But you also see just how much things can change and the scope of the imagination happening at Pixar.
Elio is truly a lovely little movie, and we hope you give it a shot when it’s available in your home. Plus, here is the full list of special features with the digital release.