As a long-time enthusiast and connoisseur of Pixar movies, I must admit that the prospect of potential sequels to some of my favorite franchises is both exhilarating and daunting. On one hand, I’m excited about the possibility of revisiting these beloved worlds and seeing what fresh tales they might weave. On the other, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the simpler times when these stories were first introduced to us, and the magic they held seemed almost tangible.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been a loyal fan of Pixar’s captivating animated masterpieces for almost three decades now. However, it’s no secret that they’ve had a rough ride in the 2020s so far. Movies like “Soul,” “Luca,” and “Turning Red” bypassed their initial theater debuts and went straight to streaming platforms, but they did manage to shine with special screenings in 2024. Even the ones that made it to the big screen didn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of Pixar’s glory days, as films like “Lightyear” and “Elemental” fell short on their opening weekends compared to some of the blockbusters we know and love.
The company’s fortunes have improved significantly, as the release of “Inside Out 2” has proven to be a massive hit, surpassing $1 billion in earnings and securing its position as the highest-grossing animated film ever made. This remarkable success is expected to influence Pixar’s future direction. In fact, before “Inside Out 2” took over the box office, Disney CEO Bob Iger had already hinted at a focus on sequels and franchises during an earnings call in February 2024. He explained that, given the effort required to draw audiences to cinemas, it makes sense to rely more on familiar franchises.
It’s logical that viewers would prefer to see back their favorite characters and franchises from times past, but there’s also a demand for fresh, original stories that made Pixar so iconic during its golden era. So, what does Pixar have in store for its future? Let’s explore the confirmed projects and delve into some of the more reliable rumors as well.
Confirmed: Elio
2023 saw its fair share of disruptions in the entertainment industry, including the SAG-AFTRA strikes that affected many projects, including Pixar’s highly anticipated animated film “Elio.” Originally scheduled for a March 2024 debut, it has now been postponed until June 2025. As a fan, I must admit that delays are never welcome, but this one could prove beneficial for “Elio” as it will now follow the release of “Inside Out 2,” and more importantly, it has moved into the coveted summer blockbuster slot. So while we may have to wait a little longer, the potential rewards could make it all worthwhile!
As stated on Pixar’s website, the film revolves around the thrilling journeys of Elio, a boy with a passion for space, a vivid imagination, and a deep fascination with aliens. Due to a misunderstanding, young Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) finds himself assuming the role of Earth’s representative, interacting with an assortment of alien characters, each embodying their unique home worlds.
From the initial sneak peek, it appears that “Elio” is capitalizing on one of Pixar’s most cherished aspects: their ability to stir our imaginations. The vibrant and distinct narrative seems to free us from real-world limitations, encouraging us to think creatively. Notably, Zoe Saldaña, Jameela Jamil, and other talented voices are lending their talents to the film. Additionally, Domee Shi (director of “Turning Red”) and Madeline Sharafian collaborate as co-directors. In an interview with The Wrap, Pixar’s creative head Pete Docter shared his thoughts, stating, “I believe that at the heart of this film, Maddie [Sharafian] and Domee [Shi] have captured something universal – the feeling many of us have experienced, of being surrounded by a vast world filled with people, yet feeling isolated. But it doesn’t have to be.
Confirmed: Toy Story 5
Without a doubt, one of the most significant announcements at Disney’s D23 event was the continuation of the adventures of Woody, Buzz, and their gang in “Toy Story 5.” Although some might argue that the “Toy Story” series should have ended with the heart-wrenching resolution in “Toy Story 3,” the financial success of “Toy Story 4” is undeniable. As a result, it’s not surprising they’re planning to make another one.
In the movie “Toy Story 4”, an interesting idea was presented about what truly defines a toy, through the character Forky (portrayed by Tony Hale). The upcoming film, “Toy Story 5”, promises to delve into the scenario of toys being overshadowed by technology. As per Pixar’s website, when Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and their friends face a brand new challenge to playtime, their jobs become significantly more difficult due to this advanced threat.
So far, there isn’t much information available about the upcoming film. The short teaser trailer and concept image only give us a taste of what’s to come. It shows the characters looking sad while their owner is engrossed in a tablet instead of them. Notably, the movie is scheduled for release exclusively in theaters on June 19, 2026. This hints that Pixar will prioritize the cinema experience for their major productions moving forward. It’s likely that the original cast members will return to reprise their roles, and Andrew Stanton has been assigned as both writer and director for this project.
Confirmed: Incredibles 3
At the D23 expo, there was an exciting piece of news: The Incredible family of superheroes will be back in “Incredibles 3”! After a 14-year wait for a sequel to the 2004 movie “The Incredibles,” it seems we won’t have to endure such a long gap again. Although no official release date has been announced yet, it appears that we can expect the third film much sooner.
As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but feel thrilled about the massive success of “Incredibles 2” at the box office, raking in an impressive $1.2 billion! This victory has only strengthened Pixar’s reputation as a powerhouse in the industry, joining the ranks of their other tentpole franchises like “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” and now “Inside Out.” Unfortunately, we don’t have much information yet, but with Pete Docter keeping tight-lipped beyond the initial announcement, we can only speculate for now. However, it’s looking promising that Brad Bird might be back in the director’s chair – a prospect that seems highly likely given his stellar work on the previous films.
Without revealing any specifics about the plot, enthusiasts are already guessing what might happen in the upcoming film, with a widely-discussed theory suggesting a leap forward in time, possibly maturing Jack-Jack beyond his baby stage. Given that “Incredibles 2” picked up right after the events of “The Incredibles,” this approach would offer fans something fresh and distinct yet keep the beloved characters they’ve grown attached to.
As for the release date, nothing has been officially confirmed yet. However, given that Pixar typically avoids releasing two competing IP in the same year, it seems unlikely that 2026 will be when the new project is unveiled, as that year already belongs to “Toy Story 5.” On the other hand, 2027 appears to be a strong possibility.
Confirmed: Hoppers
In Spring 2026, we might get a sneak peek of the eccentrically titled animated movie, “Hoppers.” Potentially serving as a prelude to “Toy Story 5” in the summer, this film promises an extraordinary blend of humor and creativity. Contrary to popular assumptions, it’s not about bunnies or a spin-off featuring the wicked grasshopper from “A Bug’s Life.” Instead, the imaginative storytellers at Pixar have dreamt up a concept where a young girl’s consciousness is transferred into a robotic beaver. In this all-new adventure titled “Hoppers,” scientists have mastered the art of transferring human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, enabling people to communicate with animals as if they were animals themselves!
The quirky storyline bears a resemblance to Pixar’s “Turning Red,” as its main character transforms into a large, fluffy red panda. However, what truly sets “Turning Red” apart is how it skillfully intertwines that zany narrative with deeply relatable growing-up experiences. Preliminary impressions suggest that “Hoppers” might be aiming for a similar blend of humor and heartfelt coming-of-age moments.
Despite his prior experience working in Disney and Pixar, such as being part of the art department for “Bolt” and additional crew for “Lightyear,” Daniel Chong is set to make his first directorial debut with the feature film “Hoppers.” It seems that Pixar might be relying on seasoned professionals and well-known figures to help steer them through a challenging period, but it’s heartening to see that they continue to embrace budding directors and fresh story ideas. The voice cast for “Hoppers” includes Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, and Jon Hamm.
Rumored: Finding Nemo 3
Hey there! As a gamer (or any fan, really), I always like to take rumors with a pinch of salt. Some are just buzz from early online conversations, while others seem plausible due to logical decisions the company might make. In an interview with Time, Pete Docter shared some insights about Pixar’s strategy: “We aim to find a balance between sequels and new ideas.” He explained that sequels can be beneficial because they tap into familiarity: “People think, ‘Oh, I’ve seen that. I know I like it.'” However, he also warned that making sequels is tricky since we can’t simply rehash old ideas; instead, we have to expand on them in ways that surprise fans.
A potential expansion for Pixar could involve the movie franchise “Finding Nemo,” with its initial release in 2003 and the sequel, “Finding Dory” in 2016. It’s possible that they might create a third film titled “Finding Marlin,” to complete the main trio of characters. Reddit users, however, are hesitant about the idea of Nemo’s mother returning, as they believe this could negate much of the positive impact of the previous films in showcasing Albert Brooks’ character, Marlin, dealing with the challenges of single parenthood.
According to an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Docter hinted there could potentially be more stories to tell in these films, but they would only proceed if the story fit perfectly. He clarified, “The ocean offers a vast expanse for discovery, with numerous distinct regions ripe for exploration. Nevertheless, the crucial factor we’re striving to improve upon is: what is this movie all about?
Rumored: Inside Out 3
While we’re still in the aftermath of the second “Inside Out” film, it’s hard not to ponder about a potential third installment. The immense success and critical acclaim of “Inside Out 2” at the box office has us wondering: Is another triumphant run possible?
The outstanding feature of “Inside Out 2” lies in its development from the first film, introducing fresh emotions and delving deeper into the complex fabric of the human mind during a significant life stage: puberty. There’s certainly room to explore this theme further, tracing the character of Riley as she evolves and matures, potentially encountering her first heartbreak and gaining valuable life insights along the way. As Pixar’s key personnel have frequently emphasized, the narrative must be compelling for them to contemplate a sequel, and refining the idea for another “Inside Out” episode would require some additional polishing before it could be approved.
The sequel to “Inside Out”, titled “Inside Out 2”, struck a chord with viewers of all ages, especially in its portrayal of anxiety. On Reddit, fans are already discussing potential future installments, expressing excitement about seeing Riley’s character develop as she grows older. However, Pixar is being cautious about creating a sequel. As Pete Docter shared with Fandango, “There’s a wealth of material to explore, many ideas we toyed with in the first or second movie that didn’t align with the story or thematically, so we have plenty to work with.
Rumored: Monsters Inc. 3
People who’ve been following Disney+ may know that a follow-up of sorts to “Monsters Inc” exists, titled “Monsters at Work”. In this series, the old scare company transformed into one that makes children laugh. To date, only two major films featuring these lovable monsters have been released: the prequel, “Monsters University”.
Essentially, the TV series “Monsters at Work” has touched on aspects that could have been explored in another movie, but this doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of a third “Monsters Inc.” film. In “Monsters at Work,” familiar faces like Mike Wazowski and Sulley made appearances, with Billy Crystal and John Goodman reprising their roles. However, the story primarily revolved around a new set of characters as they adapted to changes in their workplace. If another movie is produced, it would be exciting to catch up with our beloved monsters and see what they’re up to these days. Similar to “Toy Story 5,” they might find themselves grappling with the challenge of competing with advanced technology, as the kids they scare are now harder to amuse than before.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pete Docter hinted at the possibility of a third “Monsters Inc.” movie without outright confirming it. He mentioned that his team has been exploring ideas for a sequel for some time but hasn’t found anything compelling enough to start working on yet. When asked about revisiting successful Pixar properties for a sequel, he suggested they are considering all options, but haven’t narrowed down a specific list of films for this purpose.
Rumored: Cars 4
The “Cars” series tends to spark debate, but its monetary success is undeniable: it generates vast amounts of revenue from merchandise. In 2011, John Lasseter, who was in charge at the time, disclosed that sales from merchandise related to the first movie reached approximately $10 billion. This figure places “Cars” second only to “Star Wars” in terms of merchandise revenue, as reported by Statista in 2016. That’s quite a significant sum, and considering Pixar’s aim to regain its footing, producing a fourth “Cars” film seems like a financially sound decision.
In 2017, producers Kevin Reher and Andrea Warren of “Cars 3” expressed an openness towards a potential fourth film, stating they would only proceed if the story was right. They also emphasized the importance of having the original voice actors return to their roles. Luckily, Larry the Cable Guy, who voices Mater, the tow truck, showed his readiness to reprise his role. In an interview with Pop Culture, he expressed contentment with his previous work and enthusiasm for a potential sequel.
2027 may potentially see a new, as-yet-unnamed Pixar film, with possibilities including sequels that have been some time in coming, such as a fourth installment of the Cars franchise given it has been 10 years since the release of “Cars 3.” Director Pete Docter has hinted at no limitations, suggesting that revisiting the world of Cars is not off the table.
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2024-11-10 15:30