Exclusive Look at Disney Animation Studios Big Hero 6

During my trip to LA in July for the Guardians of the Galaxy Event we also got to see some never before seen footage from Big Hero 6.  This footage was not the final footage,  but we got a really good idea of what the film looks like and and what it is about.  You could feel the excitement in the air about this November release.  Images of the characters filled the hallways of Disney Animation Studios, and while we were there watching this special footage, everyone in the building was working tirelessly to complete the film.

Producer Roy Conli started off by getting us even more excited than we already were to see this special footage of the film.  He talked about what an exciting time it is to be working at the Disney Animation Studios.  He said,  “We push ourselves to make films that are unique and engaging, but at the same time, we want to make sure that it is full of heart and humor that the audience expects from Disney Animation. This film has that same heart, and that is why we are so excited to show it to you today.  We continue to make new worlds and new characters and that is why I think you are going to have a fun time watching the film.”

Roy then introduced us to the Big Hero 6 Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams.  They told us more about the film and showed us images and extended clips.

Don Hall told us that after he finished up Winnie the Pooh he started thinking about his next project and came across a lesser known Marvel comic series called Big Hero 6.    It is from there they were inspired to create the film.  What Big Hero 6 has most in common with the source material is the title and the names of the characters.  From there they were inspired to create a new and unique story that originated at Disney Animation Studios.

Big Hero 6 tells the story of Hiro Hamada a 14 year old genius that specializes in robotics.  He lives with his older brother and Aunt Cass in the city of San Fransokyo.  It is a city in the near future and a combination of San Francisco and Tokyo.

Hiro, with little direction, is on the wrong path. It is up to his big brother Tadashi to show him his true potential.  Tadashi encourages Hiro to enroll in his college, San Fransokyo Tech.  When Tadashi brings Hiro to the campus he meets Tadashi’s friends Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go Tamago, and Fred.

There Tadashi also introduces Hiro to his greatest invention, Baymax.  He was designed to be a personal health care companion to help people with their medical needs.  Baymax is naive,  squishy,  vinyl, inflatable, and only wants to help people.

A fun side note: The directors knew they wanted Baymax to be unlike any robot they have seen before, a huggable robot.  They researched robots at Carnegie Mellon University to get inspired.  There they saw a robot arm that used inflatable technology, scientists call this soft robotics.

Hiro was so inspired by his visit to the university he decided to enroll and work on his own invention called micro bots.  Just as things start looking up for Hiro, he suffers the tragic and sudden loss of his brother Tadashi.  Hiro hides away in the bedroom he once shared with his brother.  It is here that he has an unexpected encounter that will change his life forever.

This turn of events catapults Hiro into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo.  He turns Baymax and his friends into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery.

From what we saw I can tell you without a doubt this movie is going to be a smash hit.  The characters, setting, storyline and especially Baymax made me wanting to see more. I can already see little boys and girls everywhere wanting to be the characters for Halloween.  I cannot wait to take my son to see it this fall.

Big Hero 6 opens in theaters everywhere on November 7th!