Theatergoers headed to the release of Beauty and the Beast this weekend are in for a special treat — an additional Coco teaser trailer themed after Dante (Miguel’s four-legged companion).
Just days after the first teaser trailer was released showcasing Miguel’s affinity (and ultimate familial connection) for his musical idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, this approximately two-minute look at the film finds Dante chasing after a bone through the streets of (what is believed to be) Miguel’s hometown.
The bone, according to our reader, Jeremy G., leads Dante to a graveyard which also gives us our first (assumed) look at Hector, the film’s skeletal charming trickster who Miguel meets in the land of the dead.
Our first tip regarding this secondary trailer came during our YouTube Live event (March 15) when a reader, Mitchell S., tipped us off that his press screening of Beauty and the Beast contained the all-new teaser. We’re thrilled to learn more about the footage and will be sure to update this post with a trailer when it surfaces.
UPDATED March 29, 2017 – Disney•Pixar has just released an official Coco short titled, ‘Dante’s Lunch’ on their YouTube channel.
One interesting thing we noticed in the teaser is the entrance to a graveyard with the name “Panteon Santa Cecilia”. Not only is this where we get our first look at Hector, but it also may tell the location of where the movie may take place. Assuming there are not multiple graveyards with the same name, Miguel may live approximately 15 miles south of Mexico City (view on Google Maps).
The trailer also highlights beautiful lighting techniques as well as the remarkable details on the cobblestone street. While we cannot confirm, we noticed a familiar portrait on an altar in the cemetery that appears to be a touching tribute to the late Joe Ranft.
Since this trailer focuses on Dante, we thought we’d also share a few details about the breed and how it connects to the film. The traditional Mexican hairless dog, the Xoloitzcuintli, was long regarded as a guardian and protector of the indigenous people who believed that the Xolo would safeguard their home from evil spirits as well as intruders.
In ancient times the Xolos were often sacrificed and then buried with their owners to act as a guide to the soul on its journey to the underworld (source Wikipedia).
Stay tuned for more details as they emerge – If you have additional details chat about it in the forum, or leave a comment below.
Additionally, let us know what version of the movie you saw (2D, 3D, IMAX) so we can see if they’re only showing the new teaser paired with a particular format. The majority of comments we’ve received state that the Dante-themed teaser is being shown in front of the 3D version of Beauty and the Beast, but we have two reports of 2D showings which have also seen that same teaser. So, although weighted more towards the 3D version, it is not exclusive to the 3D version.
UPDATED: Be sure to check our updated post on the Easter Eggs in Dante’s Lunch.
