Andrew Stanton made his live-action debut with John Carter earlier this year, which, despite being what I thought was a pretty enjoyable movie, lost Disney $200 million dollars. (Probably on account of the dumb title and poor marketing, which were supposedly dictated by Stanton himself). So, how does a director redeem himself after something like that? He tucks his tail back under his scrote and agrees to direct a sequel of his most successful film, of course. Still waiting on that Seventh Sense movie, M. Night.
Andrew Stanton is heading back to animation, signing on to direct a sequel to Pixar’s Finding Nemo, the 2003 modern classic he co-directed.
Victoria Strouse, who wrote the 2008 Black list script The Apostles of Infinite Love, is writing the script and Lindsey Collins is producing. A 2016 release date is being eyed.
The Toy Story sequels were considered exceptions to the rules but Cars 2 was seen as a pure commercial play, even by Pixar’s own animators, who weren’t happy to work on it. [THR]
I love Finding Nemo so much that I would probably fight anyone who disparaged it (unless they looked tougher than me), but even I’m not so hot on the idea for a sequel. I mean what’s going to happen, he gets lost again? (I know, I know, they tried it in The Hangover II). Still, I can’t think of much that’s less in my wheelhouse than an adaptation of a homo-erotic pulp novel from the turn of the century, and Stanton still managed to make me enjoy John Carter. Stanton hasn’t steered me wrong yet, so I see no reason not to try to kick the football on this one. And if it works out, I’ll be that much closer to selling Pixar this pitch for Weekend at Burn-E’s. It’s about me and the welding robot going on a ski trip to Aspen and having adventures.
[banner picture source. Is there anything cuter than Asian children in costumes? I say no.]