The next chapter for Mike and Sully
As Pixar’s new animated film “Hoppers” heads for a strong opening weekend, the studio is already turning its attention to upcoming projects. Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter spoke about several films currently in development in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. The confirmation of a long-suspected project particularly attracted attention. “Monsters Inc. 3” is officially in the works.
This marks Mike and Sully’s return to the big screen after the original film from 2001 and the prequel “Monsters University” from 2013. The Disney+ series “Monsters at Work” also recently expanded the universe. However, there are no concrete details about the third film yet. Neither the director nor the script nor the cast have been announced yet.
New original films being planned
In addition to the return of the popular monsters, Pixar is also planning several new original projects. The announced film “Ono Ghost Market” is particularly exciting. After “Coco” and “Soul,” this would be Pixar’s third major story dealing with the afterlife. According to the report, the film will be based on Asian myths about supernatural markets where the living and the dead interact with each other. The direction and script have not yet been confirmed.
Another project comes from Domee Shi, who already attracted attention with “Red” and as co-director of “Elio”. Her new film is said to be a first for the studio. Pixar is planning a full musical for the big screen for the first time. Nothing is known about the plot, but the combination of animated film and musical format could open up a new creative direction for the studio.
Further projects until 2029
The new films join a growing list of upcoming Pixar productions. This includes, among others, “Gatto” by director Enrico Casarosa, which is announced for March 5, 2027. In addition, Docter also confirmed the studio’s long-term plans. “Incredibles 3” is currently scheduled for 2028, while “Coco 2” could be released in 2029. “Toy Story 5” will also start next summer. A total of seven Pixar films are currently on the development and release agenda.
If the success of “Hoppers” is confirmed, Pixar could actually be on the verge of a new creative phase. The mix of sequels to popular brands and new original stories suggests the studio is once again trying to combine innovation and franchise maintenance. For animation fans, this means one thing above all: there should be plenty of new adventures from Pixar in the coming years.
