"Soul" first trailer dropped
photo: Youtube/Pixar

Pixar has a new history-making animated feature coming out this year. Soul, starring Jamie Foxx, will feature Pixar's first black lead.

The movie is based around Joe Gardner, a jazz musician and music teacher, whose soul suddenly leaves his body. The euphemism symbolizes death, and similarly to fellow Pixar film Coco, explores the great beyond. 

Fans are excited about the interesting plot, that gives off Inside Out vibes, and are happy about the black representation in a Pixar film. However, some people are apprehensive about the film's depiction of black people and the lack of actual representation seen in the first trailer.

Jamie Foxx will play Joe Gardner in the upcoming movie, Soul.

The movie revolves around the soul of Joe Gardner, voiced by Jamie Foxx. When he finds himself in a strange new world surrounded by new souls, he enlists the help of a young soul to get him back to his body. 

Foxx wrote in an Instagram caption, "Honored to be the first ever African American lead in a Pixar film. 100 days away. I cannot wait for you all to see this beautiful story. Here is the poster for Disney and Pixar’s Soul and stay tuned for the trailer dropping tomorrow! #PixarSoul."

This movie is an even more emotional version of Inside Out.

The movie touches on big questions and topics that could be hard to digest for children. The concept of a soul and life after death is a confusing and tough conversation, but maybe Soul will open it up. The animation and art is absolutely stunning.

Some people are concerned with the discrepancy in Coco and Soul for the Pixar universe.

One true Pixar fan was concerned that the two worlds didn't match up in Coco and Soul, but it might be too soon to tell. They tweeted, "Well, which is it, Pixar? In Coco, our spirits go to the land of the dead so long as our family's memories of us are passed down, and now, our souls just get sent to the great beyond? Which is it? Do you have any idea what this is going to do to the Pixar Theory?"


One Twitter user pointed out a valid concern that this is the first Pixar film with a black lead, but he's not even seen as a black person for the entire movie.

One Twitter account was concerned about the lack of actual black representation on the screen. They wrote, "Wait hold up. I just watched the trailer for Pixar Soul with Jamie Foxx. Supposedly the first black Pixar film. Why do Disney and Pixar continue to make black films where the main character is a frog or a green blob the whole film? They can’t be black the whole movie?"

The dilemma was present in the movie Princess and the Frog when Tiana was presented mostly as her frog self in the majority of the movie, so she got much less screen time as a black woman. 

It seems like there are flashbacks to Joe Gardners life, so hopefully we see plenty of real-life Joe and his soul in the film.

Tina Fey, Quest Love, Phylicia Rashad, and Daveed Diggs are also voicing characters.

The cast is impressive with Foxx and Tina Fey, who plays the young soul named 22, leading the ensemble. Plus, some new music can be expected along with the film's release. Considering a big part of the movie is based around jazz, perhaps we'll have some new jazz numbers from Disney.

The film will release on June 19.

"Don’t miss out on the joys of life. Discover Disney and Pixar’s Soul in 100 days. New trailer tomorrow. #PixarSoul," the movie's Instagram account wrote in a caption. The studio has been teasing the drop of the film for a while, and the new trailer got fans much more excited. It will drop to theaters on June 19.

Watch the adorable trailer here, I can already feel the tears coming on.

This film will no doubt be as heartfelt and emotional as Coco or Inside Out. Those two Pixar movies dealt with heavy emotions in a palatable way for children, and the movies were just downright good. I can't wait to see how Soul tackles the afterlife.