Pixar’s Up is considered one of the best-animated features of all time. And the studio is honoring the film’s legacy with a brand-new short that follows Carl Fredricksen (voiced by the late Ed Asner), who goes on a brand-new life-changing adventure with his loyal dog companion Dug (voiced by Bob Peterson).
But rather than using colorful balloons to lift his house high into the sky and fly to South America, Carl faces a new challenge, finding love after the passing of his beloved wife, Elle. And now a newly released trailer gives us a sneak peek at the sweet and sentimental Carl’s Date. This new short is set to appear before the upcoming Elemental.
This wouldn’t be the first time Pixar has followed Carl and Dug on new domesticated adventures. The pair appeared in a series of shorts called Dug Days on Disney+. It mostly followed Dug as he tried to adjust to his new home and master. However, Carl’s Date turns its attention back to Carl, who must prepare for his date. Something he hasn’t done since Elle passed. The short also marks the return of Pixar pairing its films with a short. Though the most memorable shorts were originals, who better to celebrate Pixar shorts return than characters we are familiar with?
Elle was Carl’s motivation to go on the new adventure in Up. Many remember that the curmudgeon was lonely and isolated after his wife’s passing and remained closed to anyone who tried to help. Luckily, Dug and Russell, a boy scout with a heart of gold, helped him find that not all is lost, and Elle would have wanted her husband to go on many more adventures in her absence. So her words continue to live, and he will have to carry them with him on his next adventure when he goes on a date with his best friend.
Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, Carl’s Date can be seen in front of all showings of Elemental, which happens to open in theaters on June 16, 2023.
Carl’s Date goes home with Carl Fredricksen (voice of Ed Asner) and his lovable talking dog, Dug (voice of Peterson), who were introduced in Pixar’s Oscar®-winning feature Up. Moviegoers will catch up with Carl as he reluctantly agrees to go on a date with a lady friend — but admittedly, he has no idea how dating works these days. Ever the helpful friend, Dug steps in to calm Carl’s pre-date jitters and offer some tried-and-true tips for making friends — if you’re a dog.