worldofreel.com
Back in 2023, a source revealed that the studio had serious concerns about the film during production, indicating it needed substantial reworking. Initially slated for a March 2024 release, “Elio” was delayed to June 2025. The release delay seems to confirm those struggles. “Elio” was initially directed by Adrian Molina, but in 2024, he was replaced due to a “scheduling conflict,” which absolutely nobody believes. Despite his departure, Molina still holds a co-directing credit. The film is now being led by Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian (“Turning Red”). Behind the scenes, “Elio” has experienced major upheaval throughout its lengthy development, to the point where the budget tipped toward the $300M mark. A significant portion of the creative team was replaced midway through production—which, if you’ve seen both the 2023 and 2025 trailers, explains the dramatic shift in tone and style. While most of the character designs have remained intact, the latest trailer, released last month, revealed that some heroes and villains swapped roles entirely. Alongside the director change, the film underwent extensive revisions in both its narrative and character development. The earlier trailer leaned into a more somber sci-fi, highlighting Elio’s emotional distance from his hardworking mother. Although comedic elements were present later in the trailer, the overall portrayal of the protagonist was notably gloomier. That contrasts sharply with the lighter, more upbeat tone seen in the updated footage—and that’s all Domee Shi’s doing, as she was tasked with making it a more comedic affair. A good film might still emerge when “Elio” premieres next month, but cautious optimism is warranted given the considerable drama surrounding the production since it began in the summer of 2022.