Disney Plans More 'Cars' and 'Incredibles'

[Melanie]

From Variety:

Disney Plans Third ‘Cars,’ ‘The Incredibles 2′

Walt Disney Company chief Bob Iger said Tuesday that Pixar plans to produce a third installment of its “Cars” franchise, and a sequel for “The Incredibles.”

The executive made the announcement during the company’s shareholders meeting in Portland, Ore., providing few other details.

“Cars 2,” Pixar’s 12th film, earned nearly $560 million worldwide in 2011; $191 million in the U.S. While somewhat of a critical disappointment, the film, directed by John Lasseter, still minted millions for Disney from consumer products like toys, apparel and other merchandise, a series of “Cars Toons” shorts, and helped spin off the company’s newest franchise, “Planes,” a film that was originally developed as a direct-to-homevideo title but went on to launch its own toy line and earn around $220 million worldwide when it was released theatrically in 2013. A sequel, “Planes: Fire and Rescue” bows July 18.

Cars Land also has been a major draw for Disney’s California Adventure theme park in Anaheim, helping turn around that park by significantly boosting attendance.

The first “Cars” bowed in 2006, earning $461 million ($244 million domestically).

“The Incredibles”-director Brad Bird is writing the sequel for the superhero pic, Iger said. Bird is currently helming Disney’s live action “Tomorrowland,” starring George Clooney, in theaters May 22, 2015.

In addition to the new films, Disney plans to re-release “The Incredibles” in 3D, as well as “Ratatouille,” the way it’s reformatted Pixar’s “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Finding Nemo.”

Fans have long been requesting an “Incredibles” sequel since the film went on to earn $631 million in 2004. The film’s characters are strong sellers in the Mouse House’s “Disney Infinity” game.

Pixar’s upcoming films include 2015′s “Inside Out,” which takes place inside the mind of an 11-year-old girl, Thanksgiving’s “The Good Dinosaur,” and the “Finding Nemo” sequel “Finding Dory,” in 2016.

[Ian]

Cars 2 was not good. It really wasn't ... I was very disappointed in that film. It sort of took the worst from the original, amped it up, and left out any of the material that made the original film charming and endearing. I'm not really thrilled about a Cars 3 ....

Incredibles 2 I guess we'll have to wait and see on, although outside of the Toy Story franchise (in which all three films have been outstanding) I haven't been over the moon about any of their sequels. Monsters University was cute, but not nearly as good as the first one.

I'd honestly prefer they skip the sequels unless they're going to be committed to maintaining the quality of the franchise the way they've done with TS.

[Mickey'sGirl]

I agree with Ian.

BUT .... I love love love The Incredibles (and quote lines from it on a daily basis .... ). We loved the Jack Jack Attach short, so I will hold on to hope that a sequel will be equally Incroyable!

[Melanie]

It kind of feels like now that Pixar is under the Disney name, it's playing the Disney sequel game. While I love all the Toy Story movies and didn't think Cars 2 was terrible (I LOVED all the Japanese jokes and references), I still prefer new material. I want new stories and characters to fall in love with.

[Tekneek]

They are, apparently, finding it hard to come up with new characters and ideas.

While I understand that sometimes you may think there are move adventures that particular characters might be good for, there is a certain dignity in telling your story and moving on. It is a rare exception when a sequel is as good as the original, even rarer that it is an improvement.

[AgentC]

I really don't need another Cars movies though I loved the Mater Tall Tales shorts they did. I would rather see something like that than another full length feature.

I'm lukewarm on Finding Dory. If it focuses on Dory and brings in a lot of new characters, I think I'd like it but I don't really have an interest in seeing more of the other characters. I was good with where their stories ended.

Incredibles 2 is interesting to me but I think that is because it is traditional for super heroes to have continuing stories. So fingers crossed for this one.

I do agree with you Melanie that Pixar has developed sequelitis. I hope it stops.

[Melanie]

They are, apparently, finding it hard to come up with new characters and ideas.

But isn't that what the brains and talents at Pixar have always been praised for? It's a shame if that is truly the case.

[d_m_n_n]

Cars 2 was not good. It really wasn't ... I was very disappointed in that film. It sort of took the worst from the original, amped it up, and left out any of the material that made the original film charming and endearing. I'm not really thrilled about a Cars 3 ....

Incredibles 2 I guess we'll have to wait and see on, although outside of the Toy Story franchise (in which all three films have been outstanding) I haven't been over the moon about any of their sequels. Monsters University was cute, but not nearly as good as the first one.

I'd honestly prefer they skip the sequels unless they're going to be committed to maintaining the quality of the franchise the way they've done with TS.

Exactly

[DizneyFreak2002]

But isn't that what the brains and talents at Pixar have always been praised for? It's a shame if that is truly the case.

Personally, I don't believe that to be the case... As you said originally, Pixar is now under the Disney umbrella... Disney milks money making franchises are all the money they can get out of it until the franchise is destroyed... That is now my biggest fear for Star Wars... Too much Star Wars is not necessarily a good thing... They will milk Star Wars for every penny they can make (and they will make billions no doubt)... Just like they are doing with Toy Story (and yes, they will kill it), Cars, Nemo, now Incredibles... Sometimes too much of a good thing isn't always a good thing..

With that said, if these weren't money making franchises, you wouldn't see sequels like you do... and yes, this is strictly a Disney move/decision...

[BrerGnat]

Two words. Merchandising opportunity. Cars is a solid merchandise empire. Cars 2 stunk, but they still sold the HECK out of all the merchandise.

I have a feeling Incredibles 2 is due to increased interest in those characters as a result of Disney Infinity. Also, the focus on "superheroes" due to the Marvel aquisition...making a sequel to Incredibles is a smart move. Plus, that movie's ending left it wide open for a sequel. I am okay with both of these.

Apparently, Pixar's latest attempts at original stories haven't worked too well. Whatever happened to that The Good Dinosaur movie?

[DizneyRox]

I do agree with you Melanie that Pixar has developed sequelitis. I hope it stops.

Disney was always behind the cheapquels...

But isn't that what the brains and talents at Pixar have always been praised for? It's a shame if that is truly the case.

I don't think the well is dry, I think the bean counters don't want to pay the price for developing a new story.

Disney milks money making franchises are all the money they can get out of it until the franchise is destroyed... That is now my biggest fear for Star Wars... Too much Star Wars is not necessarily a good thing...

Some might argue that Lucas already milked that baby dry! I don't think there much meat left on that bone.

[PirateLover]

Incredibles 2- YAY! From day one DH and I have always thought this had a lot of potential for a sequel. But Cars 3? My first thought is

Look. Anyone who has been on these boards a while knows that Cars is not my favorite Pixar film. I really like the characters, but the film itself felt too long and just didn't do much for me as a childless adult. If I had a kid in the target age I probably would've been forced to watch it more and may have gained more appreciation for it, who knows. Cars 2 is the only Pixar movie I have never even seen because the previews didn't interest me and it got not-so-great reviews. Carsland, however, is amazing, and I get the merchandising appeal. I still don't think it needs another sequel, but if they have to do it, I hope they get it right this time.

By the way, I love all 3 Toy Story movies, and I LOVED Monster's University. It's missing the poignancy of the Boo storyline but I thought it was so stinkin' funny, and DH and love to laugh, so it was right up our alley.

[Ian]

Maryanne, you used a good word there when you mentioned "poignancy." The word I would use is "heart", but I think we're saying the same thing.

Cars moved me. During the James Taylor scored "Our Town" segment I teared up. Good Pixar films always drag you all the way up and down the emotional spectrum. It's cliche, but "you laugh, you cry, you love."

Monsters University and Cars 2 just never even came close to that ... at least not in any meaningful way.

[ChipNDale79]

Cars 2 was horrible, however both my boys love both the Cars movies, so whatever makes them happy, makes me happy. I'll gladly take them to see Cars 3, I just hope its going to be much better than Cars 2.

[PirateLover]

Maryanne, you used a good word there when you mentioned "poignancy." The word I would use is "heart", but I think we're saying the same thing.

Cars moved me. During the James Taylor scored "Our Town" segment I teared up. Good Pixar films always drag you all the way up and down the emotional spectrum. It's cliche, but "you laugh, you cry, you love."

Monsters University and Cars 2 just never even came close to that ... at least not in any meaningful way.

You're right. The best movies have us feeling a wide range of emotions. MU was more of a kiddie version of Old School, with a focus on the comedy rather than a message. It's funny, because this is the problem the current Muppet release is having... The 2011 reboot had such a sentimentality to it that the new one is criticized for not having enough "heart." What's even funnier is a Monsters U short called "Party Central" was before it! We enjoyed both, but I think I'm beginning to understand the criticism a little better.

[mossylog]

i would like to see a sequel to ratatouille, and i think a sequel for incredibles would be good as well

[TheVBs]

Cars 2 didn't even come close to the original, and Monsters University was cute at best. I think we're the only family on the planet that didn't care for Toy Story 3 (but loved the first two). We weren't that crazy about Planes. I would be really surprised if Cars 3 came out well. Now, another Incredibles I have high hopes for! Like someone mentioned, the ending was perfectly set up for a sequel.