Discuss: Should Pixar Stay Away from Sequels?
Filed under: Animation, Fandom, Movie Marketing, Remakes and Sequels
This news the other day about Pixar making a sequel to the milquetoast Cars really bothers me. I mean, Cars? Seriously? Yawwwwwwwn. Of all the films they've made over there, that's the last one I want to see a sequel to. And now, we also have the official word that Toy Story 3 is coming. While Toy Story 2 was one of the best sequels ever, I'm not sure they can (or should) try to sustain that momentum for a third round. I understand the impulse to build on existing branding, and the desire to market the hell out of a bunch of new toys, but with all those creative minds over at Pixar, surely they can do more than that.
If they must do sequels, I'm infinitely more interested in seeing Incredibles 2 than Cars 2. The Incredibles was a nearly perfect animated film -- visually stunning, great characters with interesting arcs, fantastic voice acting, and a good storyline, to boot. I've heard rumors that Brad Bird doesn't want an Incredibles sequel, but surely he of all people could come up with a fab storyline that wouldn't dilute the franchise.
Pixar did announce some new original stuff coming up; besides Wall-E, which I'm hyped about, we have Up coming in May 2009, and Newt in Summer 2011. Beyond that, though, it's pretty much Sequels-'R-Us around PixarLand, with Cars 2, Toy Story 3, and 3-D releases of Toy Story 1 and 2. What do you think about Pixar and sequels -- especially of Cars? Does anyone really care about seeing more of the adventures of Doc Hollywood Lightning McQueen? Or would you rather see Pixar following up on the Incredibles, or just creating more original stories? Sound off and let 'em know what you think.









Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-10-2008 @ 9:51PM
Bubba8193 said...
They should make a sequel to 'The Incredibles'. I've been wondering ever since the film came out why they haven't decided to make a sequel for it.
A sequel for 'Cars' is obviously because they want to bring in big bucks. I'd settle for a sequel for 'Finding Nemo' also rather then 'Cars'. Although, I don't think a sequel for it would ever be as good as the first 'Finding Nemo'
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4-10-2008 @ 10:00PM
Mr. R said...
I thought Pixar was cool because it didn't do the things that made Disney suck. With this Stinker Bell deal they show that all they swallow eventually becomes garbage...you don't believe me, look at Britney. Pixar should go solo again and yes, the only sequel that made sense was Incredibles the rest is just marketing.
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4-10-2008 @ 10:01PM
Noah said...
Cars was huge for the huge for the youngins - so I can see why - I just hope they have a good story to back it up
even though I'm 22 I still look forward to the Pixar movies just like I did when I was well I guess since I was like 10-11 (how old is the original Toy Story wow)
I guess to answer your main question; I think Pixar should stick to original content, I would put Incredibles sequel before a Cars 2, and as much as I love Pixar they are bound to stumble at some point in the future
(so I'd rather it be a stumble on Cars 2, get it out of the way, regroup and come back stronger then ever, that is if they are to even stumble at that time)
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4-10-2008 @ 10:03PM
Steven said...
Yeah, the other day I thought the same thing.
Of all the PIXAR films, the Incredibles would make the most sense to make a sequel (because it could be just another super mission) and that's the one I'd prolly like to see most because it's one of my favorite PIXAR films.
Most of the PIXAR films can't really have a sequel. Finding Nemo for sure. Finding Nemo Again just sounds stupid.
What is the cars sequel even going to be about? At this point, I'm going to have to lean toward the negative side and say that Cars 2 isn't going to be very good, but we won't know for sure until it comes out.
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4-10-2008 @ 10:30PM
Movie_Dearest said...
The reason for "Cars 2"? It is HUGE in merchandise, almost as big as the "Toy Stories". And "Incredibles 2" isn't going to get made unless Brad Bird wants to do it, and he's a little busy now.
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4-11-2008 @ 9:14AM
Eric said...
The reason for "Cars 2"? It is HUGE in merchandise, almost as big as the "Toy Stories""
It's this. And actually, it was bigger than toy story in merchandising. The matchbox cars sold in huge numbers.
There's also a large 'cars land' section of Disneys California Adventure opening that year.
And if you read the synopsis, this cars movie has the racers going international -- to add appeal for other countries where they don't have any love for nascar (which will only make the merchandising even larger).
I'm sure this was a decision pushed by the new owners (Disney) and not by Pixar themselves. They've wanted to do Toy Story 3 for some time, but Disney wouldn't give them credit for it on their contract of 5 movies. They have a pretty solid story idea that gives closure to the characters, so that'll be cool.
4-10-2008 @ 10:44PM
cubitfox said...
STICK WITH ORIGINALS! That's what made Pixar the creative force that it was, instead of a endless sequel-churning machine that Disney has become. Its the dying hope for mainstream animation! Stick with creating new classics instead of resurrecting old franchises.
They got a lucky break on Toy Story 2, which could have gone catastrophically wrong. Do we really want to see a 3rd TS, or a 2nd Cars? shouldn't we just leave them be, as stand alone greats, instead of falling into the hollywood mold of eternal sucky sequels? do we want another land before time 12?
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4-10-2008 @ 10:58PM
Brett Bayne said...
Not only do I NOT want a sequel to Cars, I want to have my memory of the original movie erased from my brain!
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4-10-2008 @ 11:55PM
Mike said...
For a while there I was beginning to think I was the only one bored to tears by Cars. Count me out of a sequel.
And the very reason I believe an Incredibles sequel would be a bad idea, as well, is because the original was, in fact, perfection. How do you improve on perfection?
Toy Story 3 can be excused since Disney had put the project in motion on its own, before the Pixar merger. Pixar didn't choose to make it, they chose to rescue it.
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4-11-2008 @ 3:11AM
RP said...
Toy Story 2 was terrible.
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4-11-2008 @ 4:33AM
eugene said...
What would be the point of incredibles 2? That movie was perfect and the family dynamics which DROVE the story was completely resolved... there's just no point to a sequel other than to do an action piece.
As for Nemo 2... omg, get the frak out with that crazy talk, nemo gets lost again?
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4-11-2008 @ 6:48AM
AJ said...
"The reason for "Cars 2"? It is HUGE in merchandise, almost as big as the "Toy Stories""
The Toy Stories were almost as big as Cars's merchandise. Cars was huge. But I don't think it's the reason they're making Cars 2. To be honest I think it's an ego thing, Cars is the only pixar film to generate some really negative reactions. So now they want to prove that they can make a good "Cars" movie
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4-11-2008 @ 7:25AM
Liam said...
Hey, if you don't want to see a sequel from Pixar, I bet 20 million kids will want to see it including me and my wife!
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4-11-2008 @ 7:25AM
Chance said...
I was in the demographic age group when Toy Story 2 came out and was a huge fan of the first. They dropped the ball with the sequel, first movie in my life to ever put me to sleep, the second was Van Helsing. The Incredibles had great acting but was sooooo boring, a great cast wasted.
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4-11-2008 @ 8:02AM
techstar25 said...
Why the blind hatred for Cars? Negative reviews? What negative reviews?
It's got a 75% fresh at RottenTomatoes, accompanied by a 73 at Metacritic.
It made a HUGE $486 million worldwide making it the #6 moneymaker for Pixar (with a budget half the size of Ratatouille, and less than Finding Nemo or The Incredibles.) It's first weekend take of $60 million is #4 for Pixar (and almost covering it's budget, $70 mil).
It spawned more toys and games than any other Pixar movie (quality of said games notwithstanding).
And it had an Oscar winning original song by James Taylor.
What gives? "Cars" was a huge hit for them. Now, I'm not one to advocate sequels, so don't get me wrong.
By the way, "Cars" is my favorite Pixar film.
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4-11-2008 @ 9:53AM
ML said...
So is it a surprise that Pixar is making a sequel to Cars? I remember an announcement to that effect not long after the release. For me Cars was OK, but I'm not looking forward to another installment. My thought is that they feel that the story is open for continuation; maybe even needs it. There was also some discussion about a Toy Story trilogy earlier on, so hopefully they have some good ideas as to where they want to go with that. Personally, I see a lot of possibilities for The Incredibles, but if Brad Bird doesn't want to take it beyond the first entry, I can respect that. Too many properties aren't left to stand on their own.
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4-11-2008 @ 9:54AM
plinstrot said...
I want Brad Bird (with Pixar of course) to do that Iron Giant sequel (in 2D) that was rumored a while ago about Hogarth growing up and being drafted into the Vietnam war, with the Giant reassembling and coming to save the day.
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4-11-2008 @ 9:55AM
Matt said...
Definitely have to do Incredibles 2!!! Any superhero franchise is set up the same, the first one builds up the characters, while the second one is the best! (Stay away from a third though- they are bad news)
Cars2 isn't that shocking, because when really when you think about the target audience (children of inbred southern rednecks) do you really think that they will be able to tell if it sucks? I think this is the same target audience that continually keeps bad franchises alive (police academy, spoof movies, Ernest Goes ?
It is sad though that Pixar is being forced down this line by the evil Disney corporation, can a direct to video Cars4 be that far off?
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4-11-2008 @ 9:59AM
Joe said...
Some sequels are good. But I would like to see new stuff more. I do though want a new Incredibles movie. I really thought Pixar made the Incredibles look life like. Plus at the end of the Incredibles it looks like there will be a sequel but still no new one.
But if Pixar is to keep making movies like another Cars I would so much prefer a new movie. So I hope they stick to making new things instead of reusing the old.
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4-11-2008 @ 11:40AM
Ryan said...
I'll have to say, I have enjoyed every single Disney/Pixar film. While I'd really like it if they stuck to doing only original work, a part of me is intrigued to see where they go with Toy Story 3 and if they can maintain that level of quality. As for Cars 2, my little brother loved Cars (He's 3) and I didn't find it awful. Sure, the demographic shoots a bit lower than most Pixar films, and I would be lying if I said I was sure it could work, but last time I checked, Pixar is 1/1 for sequels, in a big way. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt until they fail.
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