‘Hoppers' Trailer: Pixar Film Pokes Fun at ‘Avatar' as a Young Scientist Gets Put Into the Body of a Beaver
'Hoppers' are a group of scientists who have discovered a way to mind-hop into robot animal bodies. So when Mabel (Piper Curda), an animal lover, learns that a construction company wants to destroy the local animal habitat, she uses the clever new technology to inhabit the body of a beaver.
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'This is like 'Avatar,'' Mabel quips in awe as she steps into the machine. 'It's not like 'Avatar,'' her colleague replies.
Speaking with Variety, director Daniel Chong said the whole discussion had been debated about unveiling the 'Avatar' joke in the trailer. 'I think there are a couple of reasons why it was good to just put it out there. One is to let you know we know that, you know, it's quite similar, at least the premise sounds a lot like 'Avatar.'' Chong adds that the idea is to let audiences know the movie's premise will be 'a little bit crazy. There are going to be things that are a little bit tongue-in-cheek, and it's going to be out there and chaotic.'
The trailer shows Mabel, after she's mind-hopped and is now the robot beaver, suddenly aware that she can understand other animals as Missy Elliot's 'Lose Control' song plays.
Bobby Moynihan and Jon Hamm are among the voice cast.
Hamm plays Mayor Jerry, the one trying to destroy the animals' habitat. And Hamm seemed like the perfect casting choice. 'That guy is hilarious,' says Chong. 'People know him from 'Mad Men,' but his comedy chops are incredible. And to be honest, he's very brave when it comes to comedy.' Chong promises, 'We have him do some pretty crazy stuff in our movies.'
Moynihan is an animation superstar and 'Saturday Night Live' alum. He most recently delivered the voice for Forgetter Bobby in Pixar's 'Inside Out 2.' Chong said, 'Having worked with Bobby already, I felt so lucky to be able to slip back into that relationship and pick up where we left off. He's just so naturally funny and charming and sweet. I would just say across the board, everyone on our cast is really funny.'
Curda, who voices Mabel, is a former Disney Channel actor who appeared in multiple episodes of the 2013-214 series 'A.N.T Farm.' She also featured in multiple episodes of the 2018-2022 CW superhero series 'Legacies.
There is more voice casting yet to be announced.
Chong promises, 'Hoppers' will have 'all the hallmarks of a Pixar movie.' He adds, It will be emotional, and it will be sincere, and it will be a big movie. But I think for me, I wanted comedy to be on a high level as we could.'
'Hoppers' will be released in theaters on March 6, 2026.
Watch the teaser below.
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