The Muppets will return in 2011, and Disney/Pixar are producing a sequel to 2001's Monsters Inc., and it's coming to theatres November 16, 2012.
According to Hitflix, those were the biggest bombshells new Disney Films chairman Rich Ross dropped during a presentation on Thursday, April 22, 2010, where he revealed the Mouse House's slate of upcoming animated films.
Disney Producing Monsters Inc. 2, Frankenweenie, Winnie the Pooh, Muppet Movie and Brave
In addition to other previously released animated films like Tangled and Toy Story 3, Ross discussed Tim Burton's next stop-motion film: a feature-length adaptation of his 1984 short Frankenweenie. It's about a boy who brings his dead dog back to life.
Despite The Princess and the Frog's less-than-stellar box office, cel animation is clearly here to stay at the Mouse House: after settling an unpaid royalties lawsuit from Stephen Slesinger Inc., Disney will produce a new Winnie the Pooh adventure in the hand-drawn format.
Monsters Inc. 2 joins Toy Story 3 and Cars 2 as upcoming sequels to Pixar films. Although Ross didn't say, it's likely the writer/director team of Pete Docter and Bob Peterson (Up) will return, and Pixar will move heaven and earth to get stars John Goodman and Billy Crystal to voice Sully and Mike respectively. The original movie pulled $529 million in theatres worldwide.
According to Ross, the studio is about to green-light the long-discussed Muppet movie, with James Bobin (Flight of the Conchords) directing from a script by Jason Segel and Nick Stoller. Scripter Segel has also written a role for himself in the film, joining veteran muppets like Kermit the Frog, Sam the Eagle and Miss Piggy, plus a new character named Walter.
"He's in felt and fur rehab now as we build him," Ross said.
Also coming in 2012 (June 16, to be precise) is Disney/Pixar's Brave, formerly known as The Bear and the Bow. Brenda Chapman, a longtime Disney animator and writer who worked on The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasia 2000 and Cars, is directing the film from her original story idea. She will be the first female director in Pixar's history.
Here's the synopsis, according to Disney: "In rugged and mythic Scotland, the impetuous, tangle-haired Merida (Reese Witherspoon), though a daughter of royalty, would rather make her mark as an archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father's kingdom and her mother's life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark ancient curse."
The only concern with this film so far is with Witherspoon, an otherwise excellent actress who seemed lost in the voice booth for the 2009 DreamWorks Animation movie Monsters vs. Aliens. Hopefully Chapman can generate a stronger vocal performance from her. Scottish funnyman Billy Connolly will also voice a character in the film.
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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