Watch: Pixar’s ‘Soul’ Teaser Trailer

Per Pixar’s press release, the animated film introduces Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a New York-based middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. Just when Joe thinks his dream might be in reach, a single unexpected step sends him to a fantastical place where he’s is forced to think again about what it truly means to have soul. That’s where he meets and ultimately teams up with 22 (voiced by Tina Fey), a soul who doesn’t think life on Earth is all it’s cracked up to be.

According to two-time Academy Award-winner Pete Docter, who directed the animated film, the idea for the story is 23 years in the making and was inspired by his then newborn baby. “It started with my son—he’s 23 now—but the instant he was born, he already had a personality,” says Docter. “Where did that come from? I thought your personality developed through your interaction with the world. And yet, it was pretty clear that we’re all born with a very unique, specific sense of who we are.”

“I was born and raised in New York,” says Kemp Powers, who co-directed Soul. “This is the first time Pixar has gone to my hometown and I’ve been so impressed by the amount of energy that goes into making sure that everything is right. When the character’s in Queens, it looks like he’s in Queens. When he’s in Manhattan, it looks like he’s in Manhattan. It’s pretty incredible.”

Jon Batiste is writing original jazz music for the film, and Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network) are creating an original score.

The film also features the voices of Phylicia Rashad, Ahmir Questlove Thompson and Daveed Diggs.

Soul opens in theaters on June 19, 2020. Watch the full trailer above.