Just in time for the release of Illumination’s “The Grinch,” arrives the trailer for “The Secret Life of Pets 2.” The last time we saw Max, the Jack Russell Terrier, we learned that he spent his days hanging out with the other animals in his Manhattan apartment building. That is until Duke showed up and flipped his world upside down, taking him on the most exciting (and at times life-threatening) adventure of his life. So, what do Max and Duke get up to this time?
Max, the lead character no less, was once voiced by Louis C. K., but will now be voiced by Patton Oswalt. Last month, The New York Times reported that C. K. had performed stand up routines in the West Village, during which he joked about losing the job.
SPIN reported C. K. stated “I need to make jokes because I need an income,” before adding that he lost $35 million “in an hour” as a result of the Times breaking the story on his misconduct.
It’s unclear what projects the money he’s referring to is tied; however, following the scandal HBO severed its relationship with him, TBS dropped a cartoon he was developing, C.K.’s film “I Love You, Daddy” was dropped by its distributor, and Universal fired him from “Secret Life of Pets 2.”
Here’s the official synopsis:
The Secret Life of Pets 2 will follow summer 2016’s blockbuster about the lives our pets lead after we leave for work or school each day. Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy will produce the sequel to the comedy that had the best opening ever for an original film, animated or otherwise. The Secret Life of Pets 2 will see the return of writer Brian Lynch (Minions) and once again be directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me series, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax).
Alongside Oswalt will be the voices of Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Tiffany Haddish, Nick Kroll, Harrison Ford, and Pete Holmes.
“The Secret Life of Pets 2” is set to be released May 31 in the U.K., followed by June 7 here in the U.S.