Disney 3-D animation Up to open Cannes Film Festival

The world premiere will be screened in Disney Digital 3-D and marks the first animated film to ever open the festival. The festival representatives were unable to say if the film will be in competition or not.

The decision lays to rest speculation that Ron Howard’s Angels & Demons would do the opening honours. Up was widely tipped as a possibility, however, especially given festival director Thierry Fremaux’s penchant for animated fare.

Up stars the voices of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger and Delroy Lindo. Jordan Nagai plays a starring role as the 9-year-old Russell who stows away in Carl Fredricksen’s house. As the 78-year-old Fredricksen (Asner) endeavors to live his dream of a great adventure by tying thousands of balloons to his house and flying away to South America, he is shocked to find the youngster hidden on his doorstep.

Pete Docter directed Up after previously directing Monsters, Inc. and having contributed to Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and A Bug’s Life. Up is co-directed by Bob Peterson, who wrote the screenplay and whose previous writing credits include Ratatouilleand Finding Nemo.

Up gets its US release on May 29 and will go out in France on June 29.