Pixar’s newest feature, Inside Out, isn’t due in theaters until next year – but we already have a sneak peek at the short that will precede it upon its arrival at your local multiplex.
Lava is the latest mini offering from the beloved animation studio, and it showcases what a Pixar musical might look like. The lead character appears to be a giant volcano named Uku, and in this clip he sings a sweet song about how he’s just looking for “someone to lava." Get it? Lava? Love? Awww.
Director James Ford Murphy tells Yahoo! Movies he drew on a diverse range of inspirations for Uku, including the volcano’s voice actor, Kuana Torres Kahele, Jackie Gleeson from The Honeymooners era, and the bulldog from the Chuck Jones cartoon Feed the Kitty. The vocal stylings are reminiscent of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which Murphy also cites as an influence.
We won’t see the full version of Lava until next June, but you can enjoy this early clip until then. (Be patient... it can be slow to load.)
