Pixar to release animated movie with landscape depicting US state of Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Wyoming is looking to boost tourism through a Pixar animated film depicting the western U.S. state’s stunning mountainous scenery.

“The Good Dinosaur” is about a dinosaur named Arlo and his human friend as they travel a harsh and scenic land. Valleys and mountains depicted in the film were inspired by Wyoming landscape, such as the Teton Range.

Under an agreement between the state Office of Tourism and Pixar, Wyoming will invest $1.2 million of its advertising budget on various promotional efforts linked to the film. In addition, it will pay Pixar $100,000 to promote the state at the film’s world premier Nov. 17 in Los Angeles.

For instance, Wyoming’s bucking horse and rider logo will be displayed on the red carpet at the premier.

Diane Shober, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism, said arrangement with Pixar provides the state the opportunity to increase interest in Wyoming.

“The film is visually stunning and the setting is very characteristic of the Wyoming scenery we know and love,” Shober said. “‘The Good Dinosaur’ is a perfect fit for Wyoming with the mountain backdrops, sweeping landscapes and ties to paleontology and culture of the American West.”