What if the giant asteroid meant to hit earth missed, and thus, dinosaurs never faced the threat of extinction?

The answer to that question serves as the foundation to Disney and Pixar's upcoming animated movie, "The Good Dinosaur."

The long-awaited film, set to be released on Thanksgiving Day, almost didn't happen due to several delays, including a change in directors. The project was eventually resumed when long-time Pixar animator, Peter Sohn, took over the project.

"This is my first time directing a feature like this, and it has been overwhelming for me," Sohn had said. He considers the project as a collaborative effort due to the much needed guidance and support he received from Pixar.

The movie is about Arlo, a "kid" who just so happens to be an Apatosaurus, and his 11-year-old feral human companion, Spot. The film essentially tells the "boy and his dog" type of story, but with dinosaurs and humans.

Arlo starts out as a scared kid but as he sets out for an exciting adventure with Spot, overcomes his fears and becomes a confident dinosaur.

Nature serves as an important setting for Arlo's transformation. Everything that happens externally to Arlo will also be able to affect him internally. "His big issue is that he's afraid of everything, and he isn't capable. When he's in front of these natural backgrounds, it's important that he feels outside of that."

Nature also serves to parallel Arlo's journey throughout the movie. "For example, when Arlo is in really tough trouble, the river can be white and roiling, but when Arlo becomes more peaceful and connecting to Spot, we can have the river be glass," Sohn explained.

The trailer and new footage released during the D23 Expo showcased the film's stunning and breath-taking animation sequences. The landscapes were inspired by the "huge and epic landscapes" out in the American Northwest.

"It struck me in a really emotional way, how beautiful all of it was. But as we ventured deeper into the terrain, the guides that were with us just kept showing us how beautiful it was and how dangerous it was at the same time," Sohn added.

The movie also gives a good juxtaposition between the photo-realistic landscapes and Arlo's cartoony look and feel.

The movie will be Pixar's first release after the hit, "Inside Out." "It's so different from 'Inside Out,' but it's a wonderful and charming and raw in its own way," Pixar Animation Studios president, Jim Morris, revealed.

The animated film will feature the voices of Raymond Ochoa, Jack Bright, Jeffrey Wright, Steve Zahn, AJ Buckley, Anna Pacquin, Sam Elliott, Frances McDormand and Marcus Scribner.

"The Good Dinosaur" will be released in 3D to theaters on Nov. 25, 2015