Pixar creative chief questions whether sequels or originals are priority
RadioTimes.com asked the company’s creative director Pete Docter (who directed Monsters Inc and the original Inside Out) this question in an exclusive interview ahead of the new film‘s release, and he explained that he It was about finding the right balance. “There are tips both ways,” he said. “So, I mean, in general, I especially […]
RadioTimes.com asked the company’s creative director Pete Docter (who directed Monsters Inc and the original Inside Out) this question in an exclusive interview ahead of the new film‘s release, and he explained that he It was about finding the right balance.
“There are tips both ways,” he said. “So, I mean, in general, I especially like doing the original stuff. We went for a long period of all the originals – and I think we probably crossed the line that way.
“So now we’re trying to counterbalance with a few more sequels.”
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He added: “We have Toy Story 5 coming out in a few years. And we’re thinking more about other films as well, to find that balance.
“I don’t know if there’s an ideal way to evaluate it, because the public, I think, generally says they want something completely new – but then they tend to go for it more when they’re familiar with the character. So yes, it’s a balance.”
During the studios’ heyday – in the ’90s and ’00s – originals were the focus of Pixar’s attention. Indeed, with the exception of the first two Toy Story sequels, all the films made in the 15 years since their first feature was released were originals, with highlights like The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Up , among others.
In the 2010s, however, sequels became much more common – with the release of two Cars sequels in addition to Monsters University, Finding Dory, The Incredibles 2 and Toy Story 4.
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During this time, it has also continued to produce brilliant new features, including Inside Out and Coco, but it’s clear that the studio’s creative priorities have changed – and based on Docter’s comments, it looks like we’ll continue to see a mix. of original stories and sequels for the foreseeable future.
Inside Out 2 is released in UK cinemas on Friday June 14.
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