Pixar’s New Movie Hides A Sci-Fi Legend’s Cameo Only Huge Fans Will Notice

Generally speaking, unlike studios such as Illumination or DreamWorks Animation, Pixar Animation Studios often do not rely on the widespread celebrity cameos that are common in their titles. While movies like Toy Story, Cars, and Onward did feature well-known personalities, they were not the only ones lending their voices to these films. Titles such as Up, Luca, Coco, A Bug’s Life also had talented dramatic actors and comedians who were less recognizable to the general public. In fact, the 2008 film WALL-E was technically led by sound designer Ben Burtt and Pixar employee Elissa Knight, as they provided the voices for WALL-E and EVE respectively.

In 2025, the Pixar film titled “Elio” follows this pattern. Although Zoe Saldana, a fresh Oscar winner and veteran of Avatar/Marvel Cinematic Universe, plays the mother role, the main characters Elio Solis and Glordon are voiced by relatively unrecognized child actors, Ronas Kibreab and Remy Edgerly respectively. However, attentive sci-fi enthusiasts in “Elio” will recognize a well-known science fiction actor lending an emotionally impactful voice-over performance as a cameo.

Who Is This Elio Cameo?

In the initial scene featuring Elio Solis (played by Kibreab), he and Aunt Olga (portrayed by Saldana) find it challenging to bond, which is evident at an astronaut museum following a tragic turn of events – Elio’s parents’ sudden demise, thrusting Olga into a caretaking role she hadn’t envisioned. As Elios slips away from her supervision and ventures into an exhibit detailing the Voyager 1 spacecraft, he encounters a moment of profound fascination upon discovering that life might exist beyond the stars. This discovery offers Olga and Elio a glimpse of hope amidst their Earth-bound struggles.

The Voyager 1 exhibit is narrated by Captain Kathryn Janeway’s calming, commanding voice, making it clear why Elio would be instantly captivated by this presentation. You might recognize that voice from the hit series “Star Trek: Voyager,” portrayed by Kate Mulgrew. In the 90s, Mulgrew was the anchor for just the fourth live-action “Star Trek” TV show ever made and paved new ground as the first female captain protagonist in the franchise’s history. This successor to Kirk and Picard quickly became a fan favorite whose influence continues to be felt long after “Voyager” concluded.

After her time with Voyager, Mulgrew has played several science fiction roles as a tribute to her iconic character. These include appearances on Warehouse 13, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In Elio, she continues this pattern, and her brief appearance in the series deepens Elio’s fascination with all things extraterrestrial. Interestingly, her role creates an intriguing (though perhaps unintended) parallel to the previous sci-fi Pixar film Wall-E, which featured a voice-over cameo from another notable figure of science fiction media, Sigourney Weaver (Alien), who lent her voice to the automated systems of the Axiom spaceship.

The Significance of Kate Mulgrew Appearing in Elio

Mulgrew’s appearance as Elio carries more weight than simply referencing Weaver’s role in “WALL-E” or reminding viewers that “Star Trek: Voyager” existed. By incorporating Star Trek’s positive outlook on future exploration and human encounters with alien civilizations, the creators cleverly explain Elio’s fascination with space. Moreover, Mulgrew’s voice in the film’s opening scene helps us understand why Elio is so passionate about the cosmos. Additionally, it sets a cheerful, optimistic tone for the rest of the movie.

A child being influenced by Mulgrew’s singing style highlights the fact that the film, Elio, is about connecting generations. Just as sci-fi legends of yesteryear are shaping the characters of contemporary sci-fi productions in 2025, this cross-temporal bond mirrors the growth that Elio and Olga will undergo throughout their story within Elio. In contrast to today’s pop culture, which often prioritizes content intended to cater to older audiences’ nostalgia, Elio shows from the get-go how past influences can spark innovative, vibrant narratives.

Who Is This Elio Cameo?

The Significance of Kate Mulgrew Appearing in Elio

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