Disney and Pixar's new film 'Luca' spends a summer of friendship in the Italian Riviera

Involves a secret sea monster! 🧜🏻
 By 
Shannon Connellan
 on 
Disney and Pixar's new film 'Luca' spends a summer of friendship in the Italian Riviera
'Luca' is slated for release in summer 2021 Credit: disney / PIXAR

If you'd like to while away summer days in the Italian Riviera with a secret sea monster next year, you might want to pencil in a date with Disney and Pixar's new film Luca.

Directed by La Luna's Academy Award nominee Enrico Casarosa, who grew up where the film is set, Luca is set to open in U.S. theaters June 18, 2021. Announced on Thursday, the upcoming film is set in a seaside town on this infamous strip of the Ligurian coastline, and is a coming-of-age tale about a young boy spending summer inhaling gelato and pasta, and riding scooters. Luca finds a new best friend to share these adventures with, who has a bit of a secret: he's a sea monster! From another world under the sea!

"This is a deeply personal story for me, not only because it’s set on the Italian Riviera where I grew up, but because at the core of this film is a celebration of friendship. Childhood friendships often set the course of who we want to become and it is those bonds that are at the heart of our story in Luca," said Casarosa in a press statement.

"So in addition to the beauty and charm of the Italian seaside, our film will feature an unforgettable summer adventure that will fundamentally change Luca."

Although countless films and TV series have pushed back their release or filming dates due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the world of animation could be in a strong position not having to rely on gathering cast and crew in the same room.

Luca is set to open in U.S. cinemas June 18, 2021, if they're open by then.

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Topics Disney Pixar

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Shannon Connellan
UK Editor

Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror.

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