Grossing $858.8 million worldwide and finishing its theatrical run as the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2015, Pixar’s “Inside Out” was a smash sensation for the company, with glowing reviews from audiences and critics. While there was a time when Pixar insisted it would not just churn out sequel after sequel for many of its properties and perhaps not make any at all for certain properties, the allure of doing “Inside Out 2” proved too tempting for the studio.
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That said, there’s a logical extension of where to go with “Inside Out 2.” The original film, directed by Pixar’s Pete Docter, centered on Riley (Kaitlyn Dias), an 11-year-old from her Midwest life who moved to San Francisco. The film looked inside her mind and at her emotions— Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness—and how they all struggled with how best to navigate a new city, house, and school. In the sequel, Riley is now 15, has hit puberty, and is grappling with a whole new array of complex emotions.
So, joining Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger in the second chapter are Tony Hale, who replaces Bill Hader as Fear, Maya Hawke as Anxiety, apparently the key emotion in the sequel, and Liza Lapira as Disgust. June Squibb “Nebraska” has been cast in an undisclosed role.
As is Pixar’s way of upping people in-house who are ready for their next big step up, “Inside Out 2” is directed by Kelsey Mann, a storyboard artist, screenwriter, and director who wrote and directed the “Monsters, Inc.” short film “Party Central” (2013). The screenplay is by Meg LeFauve, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Inside Out” and also wrote Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur.”
Here’s the official synopsis:
Disney and Pixar’s “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. Maya Hawke lends her voice to Anxiety, alongside Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Tony Hale as Fear, and Liza Lapira as Disgust. Directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen, “Inside Out 2” releases only in theaters Summer 2024.
“Inside Out 2” is scheduled for release on June 14, 2024, via Disney/Pixar. Check out the new trailer below.