Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez to Lead Illumination’s Animated Sci-Fi Adventure ‘Not Alone’
Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez are heading to outer space together in Not Alone, a new animated feature from Illumination that will bring the two stars together for the first time on screen.
The project was officially announced on Monday, with Illumination confirming that the film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on April 16, 2027. The movie marks a notable milestone for Chalamet, who will make his feature-length animated film debut after establishing himself as one of Hollywood's most in-demand leading men through projects including Dune, Wonka, and A Complete Unknown.
Ahead of the announcement, Chalamet teased the project on social media, posting a photo of the sky accompanied by a rocket emoji and a brief message hinting that a new film reveal was imminent. By the following day, details of the animated adventure had been unveiled.
According to the studio, Not Alone centers on Joe, an introverted rocket mechanic voiced by Chalamet, and Fran, an ambitious astro-botanist voiced by Gomez. Fran has developed what is described as the world's first plant-powered rocket, and the pair find themselves brought together as they prepare for its historic launch.
Not Alone will be directed by Eric Guillon, Claire Dodgson, and Jonathan Del Val, all of whom have previously worked on projects for Illumination. The studio has become one of the most commercially successful forces in animation over the past decade, producing blockbuster franchises including Despicable Me, MinionsSingThe Secret Life of Pets, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The film arrives at a particularly busy moment for both of its stars. For Chalamet, the project follows the upcoming release of Dune: Part Three, the final installment of Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's science-fiction saga. The actor has spent much of the past several years balancing large-scale studio productions with prestige dramas, becoming one of the industry's most bankable young performers in the process.
Gomez, meanwhile, continues to expand her already diverse career across music, television, film, and business. While she has remained highly visible through Hulu's hit comedy series Only Murders in the Building, Not Alone represents one of her most significant film projects in recent years. Her last major theatrical role came with 2024's Emilia Pérez, which earned widespread critical attention and further established her dramatic credentials.
While plot details remain limited, the film appears to combine many of the elements that have made Illumination's previous releases successful: a high-concept premise, broad family appeal, comedic supporting characters, and an emotionally driven central story. With nearly two years remaining before its release, Not Alone is already emerging as one of the most anticipated animated projects on the studio's upcoming slate.
