Pixar is considering rebooting major hits like The Incredibles and Finding Nemo as part of a broader strategy to leverage its most popular franchises amid a challenging phase for the animation studio. As reported by Bloomberg, this move comes as Pixar aims to capitalise on the robust fan bases and commercial success these properties have historically garnered.
In recent developments, the studio has faced significant hurdles, including a substantial restructuring that saw a 14% workforce reduction as part of Disney’s cost-cutting efforts. This marked the largest downsizing in Pixar’s history, signalling a shift from its days of pioneering storytelling that produced iconic films such as Toy Story and Up.
The conversation around Pixar’s future intensified with the upcoming release of Inside Out 2. The sequel is critical for Pixar, as it struggles to regain its footing after several films released during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as Onward and Soul, saw unconventional releases with limited theatrical runs and direct debuts on Disney+. Moreover, Lightyear, a 2022 release intended to capitalise on the Toy Story legacy, underperformed at the box office, gathering only US$226 million globally.
Despite these setbacks, Pixar remains optimistic about Inside Out 2. The trailer for the film achieved record-breaking success, becoming the biggest animated trailer launch in Disney’s history, amassing 157 million views within the first 24 hours. This enthusiastic response hints at a potentially strong performance at the box office.
Jim Morris, Pixar’s president, highlighted the high stakes of launching sequels, noting, “With a sequel, if you put something out there that doesn’t have the goods, then you will be punished for it.” This statement reflects the pressure to deliver quality content that meets or exceeds the lofty expectations set by their earlier works. “Having had the doldrums we did, it will certainly be a good test with Inside Out 2 for us to see: Does this stuff still work, or does it not?”
Amid these discussions, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter expressed gratitude for the warm reception of the Inside Out 2 trailer. “When the first film came out, we knew that by telling a story where we could see our emotions — those little voices inside your head — there would be so much more to explore than we could possibly fit into one film,” Docter remarked, “We couldn’t be more grateful to see the kind of response the trailer has received so far. Thank you to all who have checked it out — we can’t wait for everyone to see the film when it comes to theatres next summer.”
Inside Out 2 is out in cinemas on 13 June.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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