Update: Pixar Planning Monsters, Inc. 2?

Published by Jeff Leins on: February 25th, 2010

Update: LatinoReview has a source that says Monsters, Inc 2 is happening and says to expect a tentative release sometime in 2012-2013.  Since there are very few details at this time, I updated a previous story about the possible sequel, which is included below.

The original article, posted June 8, 2009: At the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, Disney/Pixar told buyers behind closed doors to expect a sequel to 2001’s Monsters, Inc. According to Jim Hill, they were sworn to secrecy at the exclusive preview, but the news was too good to keep quiet.

There has been no confirmation since the leak, but Pixar is likely preparing an official announcement soon.  In the meantime, they want to keep attentions focused on Up, which continues to stack up the big bucks from theaters.

Pixar staff and Monsters, Inc. co-director Pete Docter have been coy when asked about the possibility of returning to Monstropolis, saying things like, “I can not confirm nor deny” and “We’ve got a couple of ideas.”

Chief Creative Officer for Disney/Pixar John Lasseter has even gone as far as insisting the studio is “not in the business of making sequels.”  Toy Story 2 was the only exception at the time (and a perfect example of a follow-up done right).  However this report follows an upcoming Toy Story 3 and last year’s announcement of Cars 2, meaning their next three movies would be sequels.  Since this is contradictory to their early stance, Lasseter has since modified their motto to, “If we have a great story, we’ll do a sequel.”

I hope he’s right.  With a flawless streak of hits, there’s always a potential misstep lurking.  Ask the 2007 New England Patriots.  Venturing further into sequels means less risk, but with less originality.  Oh well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  It may be 2013 before the sequel actually arrives, but this is good news for fans of Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sully (John Goodman).