Disney and Pixar’s Elio aimed for the stars—literally. This visually creative animated feature follows a space-obsessed boy who is accidentally mistaken as Earth’s ambassador by an interplanetary council. It’s a story packed with cosmic potential, compelling characters, and vibrant world-building. But despite the ambitious concept, Elio didn’t quite connect with audiences at launch. Still, its characters deserve another look.
Here’s a closer look at the key characters who bring Pixar’s Elio to life, both on Earth and in the galaxy-spanning Communiverse.
Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab)
Elio is an 11-year-old dreamer who doesn’t fit in on Earth. Obsessed with space, he tries to make contact with aliens—and succeeds. When they beam him up, they mistake him for Earth’s leader. What follows is a wild journey through the Communiverse where he must learn to believe in himself while representing an entire planet.
Olga Solis (Zoe Saldaña)
Olga is Elio’s tough but loving aunt, a decorated Air Force major who put her astronaut dreams on hold to raise him. Though she struggles to connect with Elio’s obsession with outer space, she wants nothing more than for him to find his place in the world—with both feet on Earth.
Glordon (Remy Edgerly)
Glordon is the gentle son of an alien warlord. Kind-hearted and caught between tradition and self-discovery, Glordon becomes Elio’s first real friend in the Communiverse. Their bond becomes key to both their stories.
Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett)
The loud, angry, and insecure warlord of Hylurg, Lord Grigon is desperate to join the Communiverse. Rejected by the council, he takes out his frustration on anyone in his path—until he meets a surprisingly resilient Earth “leader.”
Ooooo (Shirley Henderson)
A liquid supercomputer with endless knowledge and a cool, calm demeanor, Ooooo is the Communiverse’s gatekeeper, welcoming guests and maintaining cosmic order. Think of her as a robotic concierge with infinite processing power.
The Ambassadors of the Communiverse
The Communiverse is full of unique species and personalities, including:
- Ambassador Questa (Jameela Jamil) – a leafy sea-dragon-like empath who can read minds.
- Ambassador Helix (Brandon Moon) – an ancient, chatty creature who loves his own voice.
- Ambassador Tegmen (Matthias Schweighöfer) – a logical floating rock formation.
- Ambassador Turais (Ana de la Reguera) – nervous and quick to panic.
- Ambassador Mira (Anissa Borrego) – cute, but cunning when needed.
- Ambassador Auva (Naomi Watanabe) – cheerful creator of the Universal User’s Manual.
Gunther Melmac (Brendan Hunt)
A quirky ham radio enthusiast with eccentric alien theories. He’s seen as odd—until his wild ideas turn out to be more right than wrong.
Bryce & Caleb (Dylan Gilmer & Jake Getman)
Elio’s classmates: Bryce shows promise as a friend, while Caleb’s mean-spirited behavior masks deeper insecurities.
Elio may not have landed with box office success, but its message about identity, belonging, and friendship shines through. If you missed it in theaters, it might be worth a second look—if only to get to know these unforgettable characters.
🎬 Elio is now playing in theaters.
