Illumination has unveiled the first trailer for Not Alone, introducing an original animated adventure that pairs Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez for the first time. Best known for blockbuster franchises such as Minions and Sing, the animation studio is heading into science fiction with a heartwarming story that mixes romance, comedy and adorable extraterrestrials. The newly released footage offers the first glimpse of the colourful world audiences will explore when the film arrives in cinemas next year.
The project is especially notable because it marks Timothée Chalamet’s first-ever animated voice role. Joining him is Selena Gomez, who returns to animation in another family-friendly feature after previously lending her voice to several successful animated films.
Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez Lead an Alien Adventure
In Not Alone, Chalamet voices Joe, a quiet and introverted rocket mechanic who prefers living a peaceful life away from attention. Gomez plays Fran, a gifted astro-botanist working on an ambitious project to create the world’s first rocket powered entirely by plants. Their paths cross while preparing for the historic launch of the experimental spacecraft, and although they quickly develop feelings for each other, neither finds romance particularly easy to navigate.
Things become even more chaotic when three mischievous alien visitors secretly move into Joe’s home. Known as Dunk, Welly and Shirm, the tiny extraterrestrials are hiding from an overenthusiastic but clumsy intergalactic law officer named Zandro. After learning about Fran’s groundbreaking rocket, the aliens believe it could finally help them return safely to their own planet, setting the stage for an adventure that stretches far beyond Earth.
The trailer blends Illumination’s signature humour with colourful visuals, emotional moments and plenty of slapstick comedy. While the studio has built its reputation through familiar franchises, Not Alone stands out as an entirely original story rather than an adaptation or sequel.
Star-Studded Cast Expands the Animated World
The supporting cast brings together several well-known actors from film and television. British comedians Rob Brydon, Diane Morgan and Jamie Demetriou voice the three alien companions, while Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein plays Officer Zandro, the determined space officer chasing them across the galaxy.
Academy Award-winning actor Allison Janney also joins the project alongside Lamorne Morris, adding even more star power to the ensemble. The combination of experienced comedy performers and dramatic actors suggests the film will balance humour with emotional storytelling, something Illumination has successfully achieved in many of its previous productions.
Behind the camera, Not Alone is directed by a trio of filmmakers with deep experience in animation. Eric Guillon, known for co-directing Despicable Me 3 and helping design the Minions characters, shares directing duties with Claire Dodgson, editor of The Lorax and Minions, and Jonathan Del Val, who previously co-directed Minions: The Rise of Gru and The Secret Life of Pets 2.
Illumination Looks Beyond Its Biggest Franchises
Produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, the film represents another step in the studio’s effort to expand beyond its established franchises. Over the past decade, Illumination has become one of Hollywood’s most successful animation studios through global hits including Despicable Me, Minions, Sing and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Those films have collectively generated billions of dollars at the worldwide box office, making every original project from the studio a closely watched release.
Unlike many recent animated films built around existing brands, Not Alone introduces completely new characters and an original science-fiction universe. That creative direction could help broaden Illumination’s portfolio while offering audiences a fresh family adventure filled with comedy, romance and intergalactic fun.
Distributed by Universal Pictures, Not Alone is scheduled to arrive in theatres on April 16, 2027. With Timothée Chalamet making his animation debut, Selena Gomez leading the voice cast and Illumination once again blending humour with heartfelt storytelling, the film is already shaping up to be one of the studio’s most anticipated original releases in recent years.
