Pixar’s ‘Inside Out 2’ Introduces Anxiety As New Emotion

Pixar’s beloved exploration into the mind of a young girl, Inside Out, is set to delve deeper into the complexities of growing up with its sequel, Inside Out 2.

The new trailer introduces us to Anxiety, a fresh emotion voiced by Maya Hawke, who finds herself amid Riley’s evolving inner world as she navigates her teenage years.

According to director Kelsey Mann, “Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, might be new to the crew, but she’s not really the type to take a back seat. That makes a lot of sense if you think about it in terms of what goes on inside all our minds.”

The original emotions — Joy, Fear, Envy, Anger, and Sadness — are surprised by the sudden overhaul at Headquarters, revealing an orange-tinted console and the quirky, turtleneck-wearing Anxiety. As Riley celebrates her 13th birthday, the emotions confront the new changes, with Anxiety awkwardly attempting to settle in.

The official Inside Out 2 synopsis reads,

“Inside Out 2 returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.”

The casting for Inside Out 2 sees a reshuffle: Liza Lapira voices Disgust, replacing Mindy Kaling, and Tony Hale replaces Bill Hader as Fear. Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black reprise their roles as Joy, Sadness, and Anger, respectively.

The original Inside Out, a critical and box office triumph, captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its insightful portrayal of an 11-year-old’s emotional journey during a significant life transition. Its success was crowned with an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature among other accolades. The sequel was announced in 2022.

With anticipation building for its release, fans are hoping that Inside Out 2 upholds the legacy of its predecessor, exploring new dimensions of emotion and adolescence with the same warmth, humour, and relatability that made the original a cinematic treasure.

Inside Out 2 is slated for theatrical release in June 2024.