Pixar’s Luca movie includes Grey’s Anatomy actor Giacomo Gianniotti in a surprisingly on-the-nose role at the very beginning of the film.
In an on-the-nose casting, actor Giacomo Gianniotti plays the character Giacomo in Pixar’s Luca. In the film’s opening scene, the character comes face to face with a sea monster off the coast of the Italian Riviera, and then watches in astonishment as the creature leaps through the air and then swims away. The young, clean-shaven fisherman is voiced by Giacomo Gianniotti, an actor from Grey’s Anatomy.
Luca, now available on Disney+, begins with Giacomo and Tommaso (Gino La Monica) navigating the Ligurian Sea near the Isola Del Mare. They discuss stories about sea monsters and listen to a recording of “O Mio Babbino Caro,” performed by Maria Callas. From the lower depths emerges a sea monster – presumably one of the main characters in Luca, Alberto Scorfano (Jack Dylan Grazer) – who attempts to take playing cards and then retreats into the water. The moment establishes the local mythology, as both Giacomo and Tommaso learn that sea monsters are indeed real. Their vessel, “Gelsomina,” also references Giulietta Masina’s iconic character in the 1954 Federico Fellini film La Strada.
Gianniotti has a relatively small role in Luca, but fans of Grey’s Anatomy may recognize his name in the credits. From 2015 to 2021, the Italian-Canadian actor portrayed Andrew DeLuca in over 100 episodes of the ABC series. The character first appears in Grey’s Anatomy season 11 as an intern at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, and ultimately suffers a dark fate in season 17. In the ABC series, DeLuca develops romantic relationships with Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary), Sam Bello (Jeanine Mason), and series protagonist Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).
Where You Know Luca’s Giacomo Gianniotti From
Aside from roles in the Disney+ movie Luca and Grey’s Anatomy, Gianniotti is known for voicing Clint Barton in the video game Marvel’s Avengers. On TV, he played Lord Julien in The CW’s Reign, Leslie Garland in the Canadian series Murdoch Mysteries, and Freddy in the short-lived ABC series Selfie. Gianniotti’s film roles include Jimmy Dougherty in The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, Sam Stoller in the 2016 movie Race, and Kris in Sergio Navarretta’s 2019 Canadian production The Cuban.
Luca’s ending and credits set up a sequel, so it’s possible that Gianniotti could reprise his role in the future. At the very least, the actor’s appearance in Luca allowed him to reconnect with his Italian roots, as he was born and briefly raised in Rome, Italy. Gianniotti also voices Giacomo in the Italian dub for Luca, which will undoubtedly increase his popularity throughout his native country. In April 2019, Luca‘s Giacomo Gianniotii returned to Italy to marry his girlfriend, Nichole Gustafson.
Everything We Know About Luca 2
Should Luca 2 actually come to pass, Gianniotti might appear as the fisherman Giacomo again, or he could have any number of other creative cameos. At this time, Pixar and Disney have yet to announce plans for a Luca sequel, although director Enrico Casarosa has expressed optimism that it could happen, or that there could even be a Luca series on Disney+. Given Pixar’s slate through 2023, it’s unlikely that Luca 2‘s release date would be any earlier than 2024, however. As for what Luca 2‘s story could entail, it’s hard to imagine that Giulia, Luca, and Alberto won’t reunite as a trio, either back in Portorosso or in Giulia’s hometown, Genova. The sequel could also explore how the friends’ dynamic changes as they get a bit older. Regardless of whether Luca 2 happens (and whether Gianniotti has another cameo), Luca lovers can still enjoy the heartwarming sequel short, Ciao Alberto, on Disney+.
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