Zoe Saldaña Talks Aunt Olga, Family Bonds, and Pixar’s Elio
As Pixar’s Elio prepares to hit theaters this weekend, Zoe Saldaña sat down with D23 to reflect on her role as Aunt Olga in the studio’s imaginative new feature. In Elio, a young boy is mistakenly beamed into a galactic council and named Earth’s ambassador, kicking off an unexpected journey through the stars. The film debuts June 20, and Saldaña’s connection to the story is as emotional as it is cosmic.
A Personal Connection to Elio’s Journey
What drew Saldaña to the film? As she told D23, it was Elio’s emotional depth that impressed her. She immediately connected with his story of grief, hope, and identity. Having lost her father at a young age, she saw echoes of her childhood in Elio’s search for belonging. She described the growing bond between Elio and Aunt Olga as “deeply moving,” and a mirror of her real-life relationship with her sisters and their role in her children’s lives.
Aunt Olga: A Role Built from Experience
Saldaña credited directors Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian for encouraging her to bring personal nuance to Olga’s character. She infused the role with moments inspired by her experience as a mother and aunt, shaping Olga’s approach to parenting with warmth, humor, and real emotion. It was a collaborative process that allowed Saldaña to help define the heart of the story.
Learning to Speak “Eliolese”
Among her favorite moments during recording? Learning Elio’s made-up language, “Eliolese.” Saldaña said she found the idea of an aunt being forced to speak her nephew’s invented alien language hilarious and charming. Those scenes were highlights in a recording experience filled with heart and humor.
Elio | Behind The Scenes With Zoe Saldaña
A Universe Worth Exploring
From the vibrant alien designs to the epic galactic landscapes. Saldaña can’t wait for audiences to witness the Communiverse in full. She describes the setting as “absolutely breathtaking” and believes it demands to be seen on the big screen.
What She Hopes Viewers Take Away
Like many Pixar films, Elio is equal parts fun, funny, and deeply heartfelt. Saldaña hopes audiences walk away moved by its emotional core. With themes of loneliness, identity, and connection woven throughout, she believes it will strike a universal chord: “You’ll laugh, cry, and walk away reminded of how small we are in this big universe.”
You can find the full interview here at D23
