Exclusive: The First ‘Up’ Cards in Lorcana Reveal Why the Movie Made You Cry

Nearly 17 years after Pixar’s Up famously tugged at our heartstrings with its iconic opening sequence, the magic of Carl Fredricksen, Russell, and the legendary Paradise Falls is finally arriving in the Disney Lorcana trading card game. Pleasingly, Ravensburger has captured the emotional depth that turned the film into an enduring masterpiece, focusing more on the spirit of discovery than just the spectacle of a floating house.

We are excited to exclusively unveil seven cards from Attack of the Vine, the upcoming Lorcana expansion set to launch worldwide on July 24. Rather than fixating solely on the film’s iconic visuals, these cards highlight the core themes of the movie: the power of companionship, the pursuit of adventure, and finding new meaning following profound loss.

The film’s opening minutes remain one of the most poignant moments in cinematic history. Within just a few wordless, emotive scenes, we witness the life of Carl and Ellie Fredricksen—from their childhood dreams of exploring South America to the quiet, heartbreaking realization that their journey would be defined by the love they shared. By the time the film finds Carl in his later years, struggling to reconcile his past, the audience is already deeply invested in his story. His iconic scrapbook wasn’t just a collection of memories; it was a promise that they would find adventure together, no matter what.

Let’s take a closer look at these new additions to the game.

Image: Ravensburger

Image: Ravensburger

The Carl Fredricksen – Loving Husband card features a beautifully thematic “Take My Hand” ability, which reduces the ink cost of playing an Ellie Fredricksen character by two. Meanwhile, Ellie Fredricksen – Loving Wife provides a “Adventurous Heart” bonus, rewarding players with one Lore each time they play a location. This perfectly mirrors their relationship: Ellie provides the spark of curiosity, while Carl finds his adventure through his devotion to her. The card art itself, showing the pair sharing a quiet moment, serves as a touching callback to the film’s source material.

Transitioning to the movie’s present-day timeline, Russell – Senior Wilderness Explorer introduces a five-ink cost character with a “Shift 3” mechanic, allowing him to be played for just three ink if you already have another version of Russell on the board. His “Base Camp” ability bolsters the strength of allies at locations, while “Good Leadership” allows you to generate extra Lore when powerful characters quest. It is a fitting representation of Russell’s unwavering support for those around him.

Carl Fredricksen & Russell – Intrepid Explorers captures their unlikely partnership as a two-ink Emerald-Ruby card. It offers a “Shift 4” ability, allowing it to be played over either a Carl or a Russell card. When stationed at a location, their “Outdoor Skills” ability grants Evasive to all nearby allies, shielding them from non-Evasive threats.

Naturally, no Up-themed set would be complete without Paradise Falls – Exotic Destination. This location card rewards players with an additional three Lore as long as a character is present. Finally, the Bunch of Balloons item card offers a tactical one-ink play that grants any location Evasive, with the flexibility to return to your hand for three ink, allowing for strategic repositioning.

Combined, these mechanics weave a narrative of connection and growth. Carl draws strength from his bond with Ellie, while Russell inspires greatness in his companions. The set’s most powerful Carl is appropriately paired with his new partner in adventure, Russell—a nod to the film’s conclusion. The story of Up isn’t just about looking back at what was lost, but about the resilience required to form new, unexpected bonds. Lorcana’s latest additions elegantly honor that emotional journey.

Source: Polygon