Pixar’s latest gift to humanity has found its way to the Disney+ streaming service as of April 3rd, 2020. Onward is inspired by a true story and directed by Dan Scanlon.
It originally premiered on March 6th, 2020, shortly before theaters across the country were closed down. In lieu of the pandemic currently sweeping the world, viewership is higher than ever – and the need for escapism never greater.
With an optimistic title that evokes an image of trudging forward through thick and thin, Onward might be just what some of us need right now (unless you’re a Netflix disciple with a penchant for tigers with feudal, gun-toting, meth-head trainers…but that’s a topic for another time).
How Onward is inspired by a true story
Director Dan Scanlon was one year old when he lost his father in a car accident. His brother was aged three at the time. At the age of 16, Scanlon received a gift from his aunt and uncle – a cassette featuring his dad’s voice.
His dad only spoke two words on the cassette – “hi!” and “goodbye”. About the cassette, he recently told The Guardian:
“In a weird way, I felt: ‘Oh, I can tell he’s shy and nervous when he over-says the hi. Then I can tell he’s a little awkward when he says goodbye. Oh, he’s my brother and I!’ – The need to know a parent is often to get a road-map for yourself, to know who you could be, or can be.”
How Scanlon’s story parallels Onward
Onward’s two protagonists are elves Ian Lightfoot (a shy teenager) and his older brother Barley – a history nerd who longs for the medieval past in which magic was common.
A memorable scene in the film features Ian enjoying the sound of his father’s voice through an old cassette and conversing with it. Scanlon drew from personal experience when drafting Onward. Friends and colleagues reminded him of the cassette, and Scanlon decided to keep the film a secret from his brother during the six-year development process.
Though Ian already has a cassette by the start of the film, he does receive a gift, as Scanlon did. The gift? a spell to bring back his dad for 24 hours. The catch? the spell goes wrong – only summoning half of Ian’s dad (the legs).
What ensues is a brotherly quest to complete the spell before the 24-hour window closes. The film no doubt was born from Scanlon’s desire to meet and spend time with his father. Those of us who have lost anyone can relate to the desperation of the Lightfoot brothers.
Whether it be toys, robots, monsters, fishes, or elves, Pixar often manages to inject such human emotions into their characters, while crafting lovingly-conceived stories. As Dan Scanlon put it, regarding Onward:
“I want the takeaway to be: talk to that person who went above and beyond for you. Say it now while you can.”
Onward isn’t the only Pixar film based on true events. Find out how the classic UP may (or may not!) be inspired by true events here.
Until next time, my ScreenPlaya buddies, may you stay healthy, may you find your hidden treasures, and may you know in your hearts that you’re amazing.