Pixar Unveils Stunning New Visuals for 'Gatto' at D23
Disney has unveiled an extensive new look at Gatto, at its D23 conference.
Pixar Animation Studios thrilled attendees at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event by showcasing an extensive new look at Gatto, its upcoming animated feature set in the picturesque, canal-lined alleyways of Venice, Italy.
Fans exploring the show floor’s Pixar pavilion were treated to new character displays, standees, and production artwork. The images reveal a groundbreaking visual direction for the studio—a hybrid animation style blending 3D computer graphics with expressive, hand-painted 2D brushstroke textures and watercolor light reflections that filmmakers describe as “like walking into a painting.”
Meet Nero and His Feline Underworld
Directed by Oscar nominee Enrico Casarosa (Luca) and produced by Andrea Warren, Gatto centers on Nero (voiced by Mark Ruffalo), a witty black stray cat in Venice who begins to question his life of mischief.
Indebted to Rocco (Laurence Fishburne), a ruthless feline mob boss running the local cat mafia, Nero attempts to complete one final heist—stealing a priceless violin. However, the plan goes awry when Nero unexpectedly bonds with the violin’s owner, a human street artist named Maya, forcing the reluctant cat to choose between his criminal debts and a true sense of purpose.
What the D23 Displays Revealed
The new artwork and show-floor cutouts offered several key previews for fans:
A Sleek Feline Gang: Standees inside the pavilion debuted the first look at Rocco’s feline mob, showing off a collection of alley cat antagonists lurking in Venetian doorways.
Meet Saverio the Pigeon: The displays officially introduced Nero’s comedic feather-brained sidekick, a pigeon named Saverio (voiced by director Enrico Casarosa himself), shown perched alongside Nero against classic Italian terracotta architecture.
Venetian Watercolor Aesthetic: The concept art highlighted sweeping wide-angle views of Venice’s gondolas, stone bridges, and glowing evening light, illustrating how watercolor rendering brings the aquatic city to life.
Theatrical Release Date
Moving up from its original summer slot, Gatto is officially scheduled to premiere exclusively in movie theaters on March 5, 2027.
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