Not Alone (film)

Not Alone
Teaser poster
Directed by
Produced byChris Meledandri
Starring
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • April 16, 2027 (2027-04-16)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Not Alone is an upcoming American animated romance science fiction comedy film directed by Eric Guillon, Claire Dodgson (in her directorial debut), and Jonathan del Val. Produced by Illumination, the film will star the voices of Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez as two clueless romantics making the world's very first-ever plant-powered rocket, only to encounter three tiny aliens stranded on Earth who seek a way a back home while evading an intergalactic officer. Among the supporting cast are Brett Goldstein, Rob Brydon, Jamie Demetriou, Diane Morgan, Allison Janney, and Lamorne Morris.[1]

Not Alone was announced at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, with the cast and crew attached, and will be Illumination's first original film since Migration (2023), as Chris Meledandri describes this film made by "a homegrown directing team" from Guillon, Dodgson, and Del Val,[2] in an effort to expand into original properties beyond a catalogue of mostly established ones.[3][4]

Not Alone will be theatrically released in the United States on April 16, 2027, by Universal Pictures.

Premise

An introverted rocket mechanic, Joe, and a smart astrobotanist, Fran, are tasked with creating the very first-ever plant-fueled rocket. They develop immediate chemistry, though both lack romantic competence. Joe, who lives a secluded, solitary lifestyle, finds himself sheltering three small, unruly, adorable aliens: Dunk, Welly, and Shirm. The trio is on an interstellar escape from the overzealous Officer Zandro, and deduce that Fran's rocket will safely get them home from the Earth.[1]

Voice cast

Additionally, Allison Janney and Lamorne Morris have been cast in undisclosed roles.[1]

Production

Development

On June 21, 2026, Timothée Chalamet was reported to be voicing the main character of the then-untitled production; described as a "high-brow" romantic comedy with emotional depth, the tone was compared to Pixar's Up (2009), and would explore "prestige-driven" storytelling while still maintaining a family audience from Illumination. Chalamet had teased a film announcement that day on his Instagram story, hinting at it with a rocket emoji, and that the news would drop the following day, June 22,[7] where the film's title, synopsis, and teaser poster were officially unveiled at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, while Chalamet's involvement and role were officially confirmed.[8]

Illumination veterans Eric Guillon, Claire Dodgson, and Jonathan Del Val were announced as directors as Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination, who also will produce the original film, described the trio as "a homegrown directing team".[2] As alumni of the studio, each director spent years working in their respective fields of design, editing, and animation.[9][10][11] Additionally, Guillon co-directed Despicable Me 3 (2017), while Del Val co-directed The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) and Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022), and directed the short film, Mooned (2023).[12][1] Joy Poirel, co-president of production at Illumination Studios Paris and executive producer on Migration (2023), alongside Richard Curtis and David Distenfeld serve as executive producers.[1]

Casting

Along with the film's unveiling at Annecy and Chalamet's involvement, Selena Gomez, Brett Goldstein, Rob Brydon, Jamie Demetriou, and Diane Morgan were also announced in their respective roles, with the additions of Allison Janney and Lamorne Morris.[1][5][6] Gomez previously voiced Helga in Blue Sky Studios' Horton Hears a Who! (2008),[8] which Meledandri executive-produced;[13][14] while marks Janney's fourth collaboration with the Illumination, having already voiced Madge Nelson in Minions and the short film Binky Nelson Unpacified (both 2015), as well as Olivia in Minions & Monsters (2026); due to Meledandri and Janney being friends while attending the Hotchkiss School.[15][16][17][18]

Marketing

The first teaser trailer was released on June 30, 2026,[19] but in contrast on using David Bowie's "Space Oddity", Drew Taylor of TheWrap found the teaser "really dreamy and charming" and compared the choice of music to that of Pixar's Lightyear (2022), whose teaser utilized another Bowie song; "Starman."[20]

Release

On January 10, 2025, Universal Pictures first disclosed the project's then-nameless existence while announcing its delay from March 19, 2027, then to June 30, 2027. The slot was initially filled by Minions & Monsters, which was subsequently moved to July 1, 2026.[21][22][a] On August 11, 2025, Not Alone was pushed forward to its current release, April 16, 2027, which Universal originally scheduled for another Illumination film.[23] DreamWorks Animation's Shrek 5 would take over the June 30 slot to further capitalize on the traditional summer window of the studio's Shrek franchise.[24]

As part of Universal's long-term deal with Netflix for its animated films, Not Alone will stream in the United States on Peacock for the first four months of its pay-TV window. It will then move to Netflix for the next ten months, before returning to Peacock for an additional four months.[25]

Notes

  1. ↑ Following the release of Despicable Me 4 (2024), the series surpassed $5 billion worldwide to become the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time. Universal subsequently pushed up Minions & Monsters from its original summer slot to July 1, 2026, swapping positions with DreamWorks Animation's Shrek 5 to capitalize on the franchise's traditional holiday and anniversary windows.[22]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Shafer, Ellise (June 22, 2026). "Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez to Star in Animated Alien Movie 'Not Alone' From Illumination". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Lang, Jamie (June 22, 2026). Lang, Jamie (ed.). "Illumination Reveals Next Original Feature 'Not Alone'". Cartoon Brew. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  3. ↑ Jones, Tamera; Weintraub, Steven (June 19, 2026). "Illumination Studio Boss Gives Official Updates on the Future of Mario Movies and Many More Projects [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on June 20, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  4. ↑ Grant, Katie. "Chris Meledandri's ability to deliver audience-pleasing stories that convey a sense of joy is built upon trust in his own vision—and an ability to create an atmosphere where talented artists can do their best work" (PDF). Producers Guild of America. pp. 32–33. Retrieved June 25, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. 1 2 3 4 Blistein, Jon (June 22, 2026). "Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez Will Get Mixed Up With Some Aliens in New Movie 'Not Alone'". Rolling Stone. Brian Szejka. ISSN 3066-0580. OCLC 969027590. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026. Along with Chalamet and Gomez, the Not Alone cast will feature Rob Brydon, Diane Morgan, and Jamie Demetriou as Dunk, Welly, and Shirm, respectively.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Anello, Desiree (June 22, 2026). Triggs, Charlotte (ed.). "Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez Reunite for Animated Alien Movie". People. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Retrieved June 25, 2026. Beyond the two main characters, Dunk, Welly and Shirm — a trio of aliens who are 'on the interplanetary run from a zealous-yet-inept officer of the law named Zandro' — will be voiced by Rob Brydon, Diane Morgan and Jamie Demetriou, respectively.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ Hussain, Naveed, ed. (June 22, 2026). "Timothée Chalamet teases new film announcement amid reports of Illumination project". The Express Tribune. Bilal Ali Lakhani. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Lewis, Hilary; Nordyke; Kimberly (June 22, 2026). "Timothée Chalamet, Selena Gomez to Voice Star in Universal and Illumination's 'Not Alone'". The Hollywood Reporter. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved June 25, 2026.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "Eric Guillon". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 25, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ "Claire Dodgson". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 25, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ "Jonathan Del Val". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 25, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ Chhibber, Mini Anthikad (December 30, 2023). Suresh, Nambath (ed.). "'Migration' movie review: Taking flight on jolly wings". The Hindu. Nirmala Lakshman. ISSN 0971-751X. OCLC 13119119. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2026. Directed by Jonathan del Val and written by Pierre Coffin, Mooned also features the yellow and blue Minions (Coffin) who try to help Vector get off the moon.
  13. ↑ Anderson, John (March 8, 2008). "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!". Variety. Neil Stiles. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2026. Executive producers, Audrey Geisel, Chris Wedge, Chris Meledandri.
  14. ↑ Honeycutt, Kirk (March 9, 2008). "'Horton Hears a Who!': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Eric Mika. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved June 25, 2026. Executive producers: Audrey Geisel, Chris Wedge, Chris Meledandri{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ Roberts, Sheila (July 9, 2015). "Minions: Allison Janney and Jon Hamm Talk Their Characters". Collider. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2026. My friend, Chris Meledandri, who runs Illumination Entertainment, and I went to high school together. So, there's a wonderful history there with the two of us and our careers in the entertainment industry never crossing until now. I was really excited that he asked me to be part of the Minions movie and play Madge.
  16. ↑ "Seeking Illumination? Look No Further than Chris Meledandri '77". Hotchkiss School. March 17, 2021. Archived from the original on March 17, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2026. 'I still have a photo of myself and Allison Janney '77 performing on stage at Hotchkiss, and we finally got to work together on the set of Minions after all those years.' (Actress Allison Brooks Janney '77 voiced Madge Nelson in the 2015 film Minions. She received Hotchkiss's Alumni Award, the School's highest alumni honor, in 2016.)
  17. ↑ Bennett, Tara (June 22, 2026). "Minions & Monsters Cast Breakdown: Jeff Bridges, Allison Janney & More!". NBC. Retrieved June 25, 2026. Janney returns to the Minion world voicing Olivia, a spirited museum tour guide who introduces the film's present-day frame.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ↑ "Binky Nelson Unpacified Summary, Trailer, Cast, Where to Watch and More". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 25, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ↑ Jacob, Arushi (June 30, 2026). "'Not Alone' Trailer: Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez Voice Rocket Scientists Encountering Alien Life in New Animated Film". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  20. ↑ Taylor, Drew (June 30, 2026). Waxman, Sharon (ed.). "Timothée Chalamet Enters His Illumination Era in First 'Not Alone' Trailer". TheWrap. The Wrap News Inc. Archived from the original on July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  21. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (January 10, 2025). "'Shrek 5' Pushed to December 2026, 'Minions 3' Moves Up to July 2026". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Retrieved June 25, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 10, 2025). Andreeva, Nellie; D'Alessandro, Anthony; Flemming Jr., Mike; Kroll, Justin (eds.). "Universal Delays 'Shrek 5', Moves Up 'Minions 3' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 10, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  23. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (June 22, 2026). Andreeva, Nellie; D'Alessandro, Anthony; Flemming Jr., Mike; Kroll, Justin (eds.). "Timothée Chalamet & Selena Gomez To Star In Animated Film 'Not Alone'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026. The studio has set an April 16, 2027 wide release for the project, taking the place of the Untitled Illumination Event Film.
  24. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 11, 2025). Andreeva, Nellie; D'Alessandro, Anthony; Flemming Jr., Mike; Kroll, Justin (eds.). "'Shrek 5' Moves To Summer 2027, Untitled Illumination Event Pic Going Earlier". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  25. ↑ Lang, Brent (July 13, 2021). "Netflix, Universal Extend and Expand Animated Film Licensing Deal (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
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