Many breathed a sigh of relief following the announcement of Pixar’s slate of original films earlier this year, with the consecutive releases of Toy Story 3 and Cars 2 leading some to fear that the studio had fallen into a "sequel-itis" of sorts. After Monsters University in 2013, Pixar was not known to be working on any continuations of their existing properties. However, that could change now.
Deadline is now reporting that Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton’s next project after John Carter could likely be a sequel to the 2003 Pixar classic. According to their sources, he has a premise for the film that both him and the studio are very excited about. Allegedly, Disney will give Stanton another chance with live-action following the financial failure of John Carter if Pixar goes through with the sequel.
Personally, I’m glad that Stanton is being involved with the project, but a sequel to Finding Nemo sounds totally unnecessary. The worlds in Toy Story and Cars certainly had some room for expansion, but I don’t feel the same way about Nemo. Unfortunately, from what Deadline is stating, it sounds like one of Stanton’s main motivations for the sequel is to convince Disney to allow him to continue dabbling with live-action.
Finding Nemo is second highest-grossing Pixar film of all time and continues to be beloved by audiences worldwide. A second film would be extremely profitable for Disney, and considering the lack of obvious directions to take the characters after the original, money is probably a top priority for the company in pushing Pixar to make Finding Nemo 2.
Negativity aside, the film could be great with Andrew Stanton’s involvement. It’s much too early to judge, and the project hasn’t even been confirmed by Disney or Pixar yet. Finding Nemo 3D arrives in theaters on September 14, 2012, with a Blu-ray release following on December 4; perhaps the rumors will be put to rest by then.
Do you think Finding Nemo 2 could work?
UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter is backing up Deadline’s report with some additional details: Victoria Strouse is set to write the sequel with Lindsey Collins producing, aiming for a 2016 release date.
Last modified: July 17, 2012
I will be honest and say I’m not sure if this can work. I’m not saying it is being made for money, but it exists mainly as a way for Stanton to come out of his Carter Crisis and back into work. Stanton previously said he didn’t think he had a good idea for Finding Nemo 2.
It is hard, even as a die-hard Pixar fan (I own – or preown – all of their releases, except Cars 2) to defend all the sequels. Toy Story 2 & 3 were great, of course. But I’m disheartened at this. Some stories are best if they are left alone.
@ Ampmymous Jul 17 2:42 PM I actually liked Cars 2 better than Cars 1 but Toy Story, Cars, and Monsters Inc all had room to expand. Finding Nemo felt self contained to one film in comparison. Stanton himself was reluctant to make Finding Nemo 2. It sounds like Nemo 2 is just made to get Stanton a job and out of director jail.
To be honest, I didn’t really think that Cars 2 was going to work because I thought it had a great ending, and I actually had some doubts about Toy Story 3 as well, but after watching both films, Pixar has gained my FULL confidence in their ability to develop great movies with rich characters and heartwarming story lines, so I think that Finding Nemo 2 will be a great success just because it is a Pixar film.
@ Anonymous Jul 17 3:46 PM I don’t feel that Finding Nemo has room for expansion unlike Toy Story, Monsters Inc, and Cars.
I hate sequels. Not that Pixar isn’t fantastic at them (TS3 was brilliant) but I would much rather see new ideas out there! And I completely agree about the story of Nemo leaving little room for growth, unlike some of the others. I really hope Disney isn’t pressuring Pixar on it. I’m so tired of pointless sequels like Pirates of the Caribbean!
What next Pixar? How about a sequel to Up? You can call it Down, where Carl and Russell accidentally stumble upon the road to Hell.
i do not approve, i’m not sure what else they can do with the story!! it ended nicely and they should accept that! Toy Story 4 is being rumored as well, but Toy Story 3 was such a great ending for the group! After the disappointing Cars 2, Pixar should learn their lesson and continue with new ideas. Lets just hope Monsters University goes well. And @Anonymous // Jul 18, 08:44 AM, you just made my day hahahha!! 😛
My name is Chris and I feel this is the first Pixar sequel that Disney is telling pixar to do. Stanton himself said he was reluctant to do finding nemo 2. Finding nemo ended perfectly and doesnt need a sequel. For other pixar sequels, I felt pixar started the ideas without disneys influence.
After doing much digging and research into what the previous sequels were like, and the reasons behind them, I have come to this conclusion.
I think when you ask the question ‘Do you think Finding Nemo 2 could work?’ I’d say we can guarantee a good movie if nothing else. If you ask though ‘Do you think Finding Nemo 2 could be a classic?’ I think that’s going to be a long-shot.
We’ll have to wait and see though…
Yet more evidence that Pixar is going down the drain and that their moral focus is shifting. This is becoming less about what makes a good story, and more about the dynamics between Disney and Pixar (a lot of it to do with money of course).
Pixar used to be known for original stories, which I would love to see more of and I’m not really looking forward to the MI prequel tbh, but I am looking forward to the Dinosaur movie and the brain movie.
Pixar now seems to be going for the safe and guaranteed earners. Leave the classic Pixar movies alone, and please create more original movies LIKE Finding Nemo but not sequels.
The trouble is once Pixar greenlights the FN sequel is that if it has production problems, like Cars 2 and Brave had, Pixar is less likely than in the past to shelve the idea because it is a guaranteed earner. Just because it makes for a good idea in their head, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work out on film, as Cars 2 and Brave show.
sigh I wish that Pixar could recreate that time in the 1990s and 2000s where they were sheltered and had such great people involved like Brad Bird who would NOT under any circumstances let crappola be released under the Pixar name. The Brain Trust is disbanded, Since we can’t even trust John Lasseter anymore, I fear those days are long gone.
I feel that Pixar was at its best when they were doing original stories. I love Pixar films, but overall, the sequels have not been my favorites. There is such a high expectation from fans that messing with a good thing like Finding Nemo can be dangerous. Personally, I felt like certain sequels (especially Cars 2) were severely lacking in story. I can’t imagine the pressure they’re under to turn out great films, but maybe they need to refocus on what it was that made their early ones great.
Awful news. Pixar seem hell bent on trashing their own legacy.
I think y’all are all seriously exaggerating. Yes, Cars 2 was bad. But the Toy Story trilogy? Perfection! And we haven’t seen nearly enough of MU to judge that. And Brave, I thought that was good. Problem is from Ratatouillie to TS3, they reached a whole new level. Now, anything below that, and people think its trash. Cars 2 was still a decent film even.
My first preference would be to see original Pixar movies, that the whole family (including adults) can enjoy – like “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles” (I’m not saying sequels to these but fresh movies like these).
With that said, “Finding Nemo 2” will be a huge financial success and kids will adore it. But what will the movie be about? Nemo going to college? Nemo and dad exploring another reef and/or another continent? Sounds far fetched to me. Let’s trust the Pixar idea factory with this.
Andy
I’m sincerely hoping that something came about that Pixar was working on a project with Nemo and Toy Story. These projects are shorts released before feature films.
I’m being overly optimistic, but while there is no confirmation from Disney or Pixar, maybe something someone said was misconstrued as a feature, but actually shorts?
I think those would be OK, but I don’t see the reason for a sequel to Finding Nemo, and it seems if Brad Bird has left Pixar, they won’t be following up the one sequel we actually want, The Incredibles.