Latest news with #Incredibles
Time Magazine
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Sorry, 'First Steps,' But No Fantastic Four Movie Has Lived Up to 'The Incredibles'
The critical consensus on The Fantastic Four: First Steps is that, finally, they made a good Fantastic Four movie. The previous attempts to bring Marvel's First Family to the big screen—a low-budget unreleased Roger Corman movie, a pair of middling films in the '00s, and Josh Trank's universally panned 2015 movie—were all failures, and while First Steps isn't by any means perfect, it's the closest thing we've gotten to a great Fantastic Four movie. Except, that's not really the case, because there was an incredible Fantastic Four movie just over 20 years ago. It just wasn't technically a Fantastic Four movie. The argument that Pixar's 2004 masterpiece The Incredibles is not-so-secretly a Fantastic Four film is hardly a new one, though it seems especially relevant in the wake of the original foursome making a high-profile, high-stakes, and warmly received (or at least warmly enough) entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The similarities between the Incredibles and the Fantastic Four are obvious; both are families of four people who all have superpowers, including one person with the ability to stretch, another who can turn invisible and make forcefields, and a big strong guy. It's not a one-to-one match; Fantastic Four have the Human Torch while The Incredibles' Dash has superspeed. The relations are different, too, as The Incredibles focuses on two parents and their two kids while the Fantastic Four consist of a husband, his wife, his brother-in-law, and his best friend. Brad Bird, who wrote and directed the Pixar film, didn't set out to explicitly make a movie about the Fantastic Four with the serial numbers filed off, and indeed The Incredibles is much more than just that. The Fantastic Four, one of the most famous superhero teams around, are an obvious influence, and there are shades of the X-Men, James Bond-esque spy antics, and Alan Moore's seminal comic Watchmen. (Bird claims he hadn't read Watchmen prior to penning The Incredibles, making it a coincidence that both plots involve superheroes in hiding after the government outlaws vigilantism.) To call The Incredibles a knock-off of any specific superhero story rather than a broad homage is to do the Oscar-winning movie a disservice, especially considering it came out four years before the start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the truly modern era of superhero cinema as it exists today. Still, it's the Fantastic Four who seem like the most natural point of comparison to the Incredibles. The makers of the 2005 Fantastic Four movie certainly thought so; there were reports that they had to reshoot the ending of the live-action movie because they worried the cartoon had already outdone them. First Steps almost seems like it's copying The Incredibles; the movie is set in its own corner of the MCU's multiverse on a retro-futuristic world that very much resembles the stylish mid-century modern vibes of The Incredibles. Composer Michael Giacchino provided the music to both films, and in an interview Giacchino admitted that it was a challenge for him to differentiate the two scores. The Incredibles is the secret benchmark that Fantastic Four films need to try to live up to, and it's an incredibly high one. Certainly in the conversation for the title of "Pixar's best film," The Incredibles is a rollicking superhero adventure that also digs deeply into familial dynamics, touching on fears of infidelity, the way marriages change, and the way kids fight with their parents (and each other). Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) misses the thrill of crime-fighting so he goes behind his wife Elastigirl's back and accepts a moonlighting superhero gig. But when his employer, Syndrome (Jason Lee), reveals himself to be a spurned would-be sidekick who now wants to make it so no one is super (except him, of course), Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) and their kids Violet (Sarah Vowell) and Dash (Spencer Fox) must come to his rescue—and get the whole costumed family doing good together. The Incredibles is a remarkably standalone story. All of its influences are just that, influences, rather than homework. You basically just need to know that superhero fiction exists and have the vaguest awareness of the core tropes to enjoy The Incredibles, and even then you'd probably be fine going in with a blank slate. Compare that to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is going to great lengths to attempt to be a standalone story. Despite being the 37th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—a franchise that is clearly straining under the weight of its own continuity—First Steps takes place in an alternate reality. There are no shared characters, previous plot developments to be aware of, or even any Easter eggs connecting First Steps to the main MCU, and even though the foursome will eventually join the rest of the Avengers in Doomsday, out next year, the film ends without any multiversal voyages. Instead, we meet Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn) four years after they got their superpowers and watch them save the planet (and Reed and Sue's newborn son) from a powerful planet-eater known as Galactus. It's a grander plot than The Incredibles and it's executed more sloppily, but the focus is clearly intended to be on this family rather than a larger cinematic universe. And yet the looming specter of a continuity and questions about how the Fantastic Four fit into the MCU loom over First Steps. Even more oppressive is the sense that, for as much as First Steps tries in its aesthetic and with its marketing to tell audiences that it's a breezy, new kind of superhero movie, First Steps is sweaty. Fantastic Four needed to be good and do really well at the box office to help the MCU recover after an ongoing fallow period in the wake of Avengers: Endgame. It's a crucial pivot for the biggest franchise in the world, a superhero movie that's all-but explicitly tasked with reversing superhero fatigue. Meanwhile, The Incredibles is a breath of fresh air; a superhero movie made before costumed crime-fighters reached total cinematic and cultural saturation. (It helps that The Incredibles was made by Pixar during the studio's golden era that saw some of its best creative output. Marvel Studios, meanwhile, is tired and on the backfoot.) To mix superhero metaphors, the kryptonite of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is that it's following in another movie's footsteps. First Steps is a fine enough movie that's under a lot of pressure and scrutiny; The Incredibles is an unburdened masterpiece with similar characters, a similar look, some similar themes, and a similar score. Maybe that's OK, though—another similarity they have is that they're both owned by Disney. You'll be able to watch either of them on Disney+ soon enough.
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The Fantastic Four: First Steps plays it too safe to get it just right
If the goal for The Fantastic Four: First Steps was for Marvel to finally get the comic world's first family right, then the mission has finally been accomplished. If the goal was more than that, the ship remains in orbit. The trouble with the latest Marvel attempt at bringing the Fantastic Four to the big screen is also what gets it across the finish line. It's a film perfectly concocted to avoid getting dinged for technicalities, a savvy brand investment that feels new enough but still clings to the formula that fuels the fore-heroes that come before it. Is there a post-credit scene in The Fantastic Four: First Steps? It's sleek, sturdy and sentimental, but it drives with a strict governor that prohibits it from ever being more than just satisfactory. Marvel Studios tries so hard to avoid another Fantastic 4-tastrophe that it forgets to stretch its legs and really settle into finding some tangible soul. A lack of cinematic flexibility is pretty ironic for a movie with a character with superhuman elasticity and wholly emblematic of a movie studio gone so far astray that didn't even try for a grand slam to ensure the double gets logged on the stat sheet. Making movies isn't about connecting the dots; the art is not a math equation where your eureka moment is a solved problem that crosses a new group of characters off your completion sheet. You've got to feel your way into the storm and find your spirit through the struggle. Good enough isn't good enough, or at least it shouldn't be, not with Disney's unlimited resources. As much as the Tomorrowland 1960s retrofuturism sets a bountiful stage for the action and Michael Giacchino's score punctuates the mood with operatic urgency, director Matt Shakman plays it safe whenever he can. The script from Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer gives the big four just enough characterization to keep the predictable plot humming, but not enough to risk hitting a false note. Yes, cribbing off Brad Bird's Incredibles movies makes sense when you think about how this comic series influenced Bird with his Pixar masterclasses, but to what end if you can't add anything to the discussion? To borrow from another Bird movie, food critic Anton Ego from Ratatouille would probably send this dish back to the kitchen... not because it tastes bad, but because it lacks any sense of real perspective. Shakman's ability to set a stage was apparent with WandaVision, as he's really got a knack for atmosphere through production design. His projects with Marvel have all looked great, but the focus tends to be on allowing the aura to mask the lack of flavor. This is a film where the concept art book is probably a page-turner, but the script book might put you to sleep. The film occasionally scrapes a higher sky, but it pulls back within a moment's notice of even vaguely attempting to see what's possible beyond the stars. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach all take dutiful approaches, but there's only so much for them to do. Any characterization has to be done through the performances, but it almost seems at times like most of the actors are just a bit bored by all the whizzing doo-dads and plot-moving chitter-chatter about how this connecting to that to save this day and that day if at all possible. Kirby gets occasional gravity through her character's journey into motherhood. Pascal also seems eager to chew on the film's only moral complexity, if he and his super team would be willing to sacrifice their newborn child in service to the world they have sworn to protect. In the film's best moment, a jittery reporter probes Pascal's Reed Richards about if his team is actually going to be able to save the world once Galactus enters the picture. Pascal nails the remorseful expression of doubt, and the world's favorite heroes quickly become a global pariah. However, the film doesn't wish to linger in this discomfort for longer than it has to, and the resolution to the only real dramatic meat on the bone is just far, far too tidy to register. The moment is the film's great weakness presented as a strength. It never lets itself sit in a decision that could challenge the audience; instead, it squarely aims at wriggling free from having to confront the messiness of the dilemmas its characters face. Also, it's a bit baffling that a film with such delirious cosmic oddities doesn't take more pride in its wilder nature. Part of why James Gunn's Superman worked so well is that Gunn never shied away from the inherently cartoonish nature of the material. His film is endearingly messy and thoroughly passionate; there's a willingness to breach the void and find out if something works or not. It owns its blemishes and soars at its heights. The latest Fantastic Four film sets a workable floor for itself because it refuses to install a ceiling. Like, this is a movie with a gigantic space robot man villain who wants to eat the Earth because he's hungry or transfer himself into the body of a baby. One of the main characters is a giant orange rock man who can grow a beard. You don't need to go full Taika Waititi to infuse your movie with even the slightest hint of irreverence. Even so, Marvel can chalk the film as a win because, for the first time in the company's history, it finally has a generally agreeable Fantastic Four it can use in other company properties. Audiences will probably enjoy the film because there's not much to hate. The golf claps abound. However, is that really the goal here now? Inoffensiveness with a historically problematic intellectual property is a sensible content strategy (mild vomit in throat), and The Fantastic Four: First Steps has no desire to do anything but Entertain the Fans (TM). It's a perfectly fine superhero movie, but it's not much more than that. Shakman and company get the job done, but nobody is going to accuse this movie of striving to be fantastic. These heroes are just happy to get home in one piece this time around.
CNET
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Ranking Pixar's Best Movies: Everything From 'Elio' to 'Toy Story'
Pixar is known for making heartwarming, imaginative movies that are enjoyable for both kids and adults. Since the first Toy Story movie came out in 1995, the studio has leveraged animated storytelling to tap into the human experience in beautiful, unexpected and humbling ways. Its filmmakers have explored our struggles with tragedy, loss and grief (including questions about the meaning of life), as well as our experiences with love, family and friendship. At its D23 fan event last summer, Disney announced upcoming projects including Toy Story 5 and Incredibles 3. Other upcoming films include Hoppers, which is slated for a March 2026 release, and Coco 2, which is set to debut in 2029. Pixar's latest film Elio, now in theaters, is a refreshingly original story about the power of imagination and the heaviness of grief. All 29 Pixar Animation Studios films delve into emotional themes in different ways, which makes ranking them no easy task. It's inevitable this list will ruffle some feathers, but it's a testament to how much these movies mean to audiences. In determining rankings, we examined five key attributes of each film: plot, characters, depth, cultural impact and rewatchability. This helped with the tough task of figuring out which of these truly great Pixar movies should top the list. Here's our ranking of the best Pixar movies in order of least crowd-pleasing to the most beloved. Screenshot by Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET 29. Cars 2 (2011) One Cars movie really would have been enough, but this was when Pixar was (unfortunately) deep in its sequels phase. It's no secret that this film wasn't a hit with audiences or critics, as it's the only Pixar movie so far to get a "rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes. Cars 2 is one of those sequels that lacks a strong standalone script and instead relies heavily on the success of its predecessor. It also tends to focus more on action scenes than heartfelt moments, leaving viewers without the wonder and depth that have defined Pixar's other films. See at Disney Plus Disney/Pixar 28. The Good Dinosaur (2015) Best known for its stellar animation, The Good Dinosaur is an incredibly heartfelt film that will leave anyone who's ever felt like an outcast empathizing with lead character Arlo, the black sheep of the family. It's a solid movie, but because Pixar's other films have set the bar really high in terms of creativity and storytelling, we're placing this one at number 28, as some of the scenes are a bit slower and redundant. (What's this? Yet another animal attack?) See at Disney Plus Pixar 27. Cars 3 (2017) Somehow Pixar wasn't deterred by the lukewarm reception Cars 2 received. Thankfully, the third installment in the Cars franchise features a more enjoyable story (and more solid jokes), as we watch Lighting McQueen struggle to stay relevant in the quickly changing world of racing. It still doesn't quite stack up against Pixar's other offerings (it's hard to with sequels anyway), but it's a pretty good film, all things considered. See at Disney Plus Pixar 26. Finding Dory (2016) Watching this Finding Nemo sequel felt like experiencing deja vu. (A lost fish looking for its parents? That sounds awfully familiar…) The film borrowed a little too heavily from the winning storyline of its predecessor, and without the same emotional depth. Still, it's a fun journey into what made Dory, a blue tang fish with memory loss, who she is. See at Disney Plus Disney/Pixar 25. Lightyear (2022) Lightyear is one of the most visually stunning Pixar films to date. Epic animations of the vastness and beauty of space make for an alluring sci-fi movie, taking Pixar in a fresh direction. Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of spin-offs, and it's hard to feel like this wasn't just an opportunity for Disney/Pixar to milk the hype around the Toy Story franchise. But it was nonetheless enjoyable to see the studio venture into new territory and push the limits of animation. Also, embarking in a new thematic direction means we get fewer of the tender moments that characterize other Pixar films like Inside Out, Up or even Toy Story. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, if you prefer a more action-focused storyline. See at Disney Plus Pixar 24. Luca (2021) While a fun coming-of-age story about a sea monster who yearns to live on land, Luca doesn't offer up the same level of storyline creativity or emotional depth as many of Pixar's other films (that is, I didn't tear up while watching this one, which is always a shame). But it's still a lively film packed with adventure and suspense and beautiful animations of the Italian seaside town in which it takes place. See at Disney Plus Disney 23. Inside Out 2 (2024) This movie, though enjoyable, falls into the same trap as just about any sequel. It continues a beloved story, but can at times seem redundant. On the one hand, Inside Out 2 does a great job expanding upon the suite of emotions experienced by a teenage girl; anxiety is a little too relatable. I appreciated the imaginative depictions of metaphorical phrases like "stream of consciousness" and "brain storm," which are illustrated by a literal stream and storm, respectively. But at times, the film does too much, offering up too many of these concepts used to represent human emotion and memory. Perhaps that's the point, given how confusing that can all feel in real life. It also leans too heavily on the structure and success of its predecessor. We're even introduced to yet another character from Riley's childhood, Bloofy, seemingly to duplicate our collective love for Bing Bong in the original. Despite all that, the film left me feeling introspective -- and made me laugh throughout -- and to me, that's a win. Disney/Pixar 22. Elemental (2023) This film felt so quintessentially Pixar -- from the vibrant animation to the surprisingly relatable characters (who knew I could resonate so much with a fictional lead character made of fire??) to a heart wrenching storyline that had me in tears. Elemental beautifully illustrates the complexity of balancing family values and history with charting your own path, making for a film that brings so much more than just stunning imagery and vivid imagination. See at Disney Plus Screenshot by Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET 21. Monsters University (2013) This prequel features a fun, well-structured storyline that allows it to operate as a decent standalone. It does a good job of not feeling forced, and we get an intriguing look into the backstory of beloved monsters Sulley and Mike Wazowski, while also being introduced to memorable new characters like Terri & Terry Perry and Scott "Squishy" Squibbles. See at Disney Plus Pixar 20. Incredibles 2 (2018) The long-awaited sequel is packed with the same action and lovable characters that made the first installment such a hit, though it's not quite on par with the original. The plot can at times feel predictable as the superhero family battles against a villain, though there are enough lighthearted and wholesome moments to make this follow-up stand out. See at Disney Plus Pixar 19. Toy Story 4 (2019) This felt like the sequel that didn't need to happen, especially after Toy Story 3 ended on such a strong (and heartbreaking) note. There are still some fun sequences sprinkled throughout, but this fourth installment lacks the solid comedy and gripping plot that made the first three Toy Story films resonate. Nevertheless, we're introduced to loveable new characters like Forky, who provides a good dose of laughs. See at Disney Plus Pixar Animation Studios 18. Cars (2006) Anthropomorphism is Pixar's magic power, which it executes well in Cars. There's a smattering of laughs amid lessons about the dangers of superficiality, as well as an underlying commentary on our obsession with celebrity culture. It's one of those movies that seems to appeal more to younger audiences, with its flashy scenes and thinner storyline, but it's still the best pick from the Cars franchise. See at Disney Plus Pixar Animation Studios 17. A Bug's Life (1998) A creative peek into what goes on in the world of insects, A Bug's Life finds strength in its wit and originality. It's a true adventure and an early testament to Pixar's remarkable storytelling. See at Disney Plus Disney/Pixar 16. Wall-E (2008) A haunting rendering of what our world could look like if we continue to disregard the environment and become further consumed by technology, Wall-E is a pertinent and compelling story about Earth's last robot, who embarks on a journey into space with shiny probe Eve. Despite the minimal dialogue, the film tells a captivating story about the consequences of our actions and our innate desire for connection. See at Disney Plus Walt Disney Pictures 15. Brave (2012) There are plenty of stories centered on a headstrong child longing to carve their own path, but Brave levels up that oft-repeated narrative with a powerful female lead, hilarious characters and sprinklings of magic. It's a touching tribute to mother-daughter relationships and a gripping adventure all the way through. See at Disney Plus Pixar 14. Onward (2020) A touching tribute to sibling bonds, this is one of those films that'll catch you off guard and have you reaching for a box of tissues. Onward serves as a timely commentary on how modern conveniences and technology seem to have stripped the world of enchantment and wonder, yet there are ways to reconnect with the past while cherishing the present and those around us. See at Disney Plus Walt Disney Pictures 13. Ratatouille (2007) Here's a movie I would have loved to hear getting pitched. This story, about a rat who dreams of becoming a chef and enlists the help of a garbage boy to try to make that a reality, brings the beauty of Paris and its food scene to life. It plays well into the irony of a rat yearning to be in the kitchen -- a place he's least wanted -- and delivers a touching message: "Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere." See at Disney Plus Disney 12. Elio (2025) Most Pixar movies make me cry, but this was one of the few to make me tear up within the first 10 minutes (second only to Up, of course). This film's biggest strength is the empathy and relatability it builds for its main character, Elio, who struggles with loneliness and loss. His sense of imagination and wonder for outer space offer an escape, illustrating the power of dreaming beyond the realm of our world and reality -- and the importance of also keeping your feet on the ground. It's easy to see yourself in that young boy struggling to navigate complex emotions and find a place for himself -- challenges that often don't disappear, even well into adulthood. This is Pixar's most visually stunning film to date, and one of the most beautiful animated films I've ever seen. Renderings of Earth and colorful, whimsical celestial locations and characters can easily kick anyone's sense of imagination into overdrive. Pixar 11. Coco (2017) One of Pixar's most vibrant movies, Coco touches on themes that resonate with a range of audiences: family, culture and chasing a dream against all odds. The animation is breathtaking, with vivid depictions of the celebrations that accompany Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. It also features an epic plot twist that makes the story all the more intriguing. See at Disney Plus Pixar 10. Soul (2020) Pixar has really defined its ability to tap into life's deepest questions and struggles, and Soul is a prime example. The film instills a sense of wonder through its dreamy concept of the afterlife, delicately hedging the heaviness of death and illustrating the beauty of life and our lasting impact. It's one of a handful of movies on this list that will make you reflect on your life's purpose, which is a much deeper takeaway than you'll get from most animated films. See at Disney Plus Pixar 9. The Incredibles (2004) A movie about a lovable family of superheroes? It doesn't get more fun than that. The Incredibles offers up a perfect balance of laughs and adventure, as well as some of Pixar's most memorable characters (Edna Mode is nothing short of legend). There's just enough action not to overpower the strong plot that makes this film a cinematic masterpiece. See at Disney Plus Pixar Animation Studios 8. Monsters, Inc. (2001) Turning a common childhood fear of monsters into a surprisingly touching film is nothing short of storytelling genius. Monsters, Inc., about a scare factory powered by the screams of human kids, follows the unlikely bond formed between two monsters and a little girl dubbed Boo, setting the stage for yet another intriguing and heartwarming story. See at Disney Plus Disney/Pixar 7. Turning Red (2022) I can't remember laughing as much during a Pixar movie as I did watching Turning Red. The film follows the story of Meilin Lee, a 13-year-old girl who suddenly starts turning into a giant red panda when she's stressed or excited (a metaphor for strange bodily changes during puberty). Because this movie is set in 2002, it taps into nostalgia via details like Meilin's Tamagotchi and 4*Town, the hottest boy band. It's also incredibly wholesome, highlighting the importance of culture, family and strong female role models. The story was gripping, the jokes were funny and the takeaways were moving. What more could you ask for? See at Disney Plus Pixar Animation Studios 6. Toy Story 2 (1999) This second installment in the Toy Story franchise maintains the wonder and comedy that made the original stand out. It also effectively builds on the plot, avoiding the pitfalls of many sequels that simply regurgitate the events and themes of their predecessors. See at Disney Plus Disney Plus 5. Finding Nemo (2003) This film balances meaningful lessons on the complexities of child-to-parent relationships with fun, lively characters and memorable catchphrases ("Just keep swimming…"). The many plot twists will keep viewers invested in Nemo and dad Marlin's journey through a spellbindingly animated underwater world. See at Disney Plus Disney 4. Inside Out (2015) Pixar's imagination kicks into high gear in Inside Out, one of the deepest, most thought-provoking films out there. The movie poignantly characterizes a range of human emotions and illustrates the impact and importance of each one, both the good and the "bad." This is one of those rare films that's as amusing and stimulating for younger audiences as it is for older viewers, and will leave you pondering its meaning long after the credits roll. See at Disney Plus Pixar 3. Toy Story 3 (2010) While sequels often pale in comparison to the original film, Toy Story 3 is a very strong exception. The film explores the bittersweet realities of change and growing up, while tapping into the unbreakable bonds we have with the people, places and moments that shaped us growing up. Keep a box of tissues close for this one. See at Disney Plus Disney 2. Up (2009) Nothing compares to that heart-wrenching montage near the movie's opening (if you know, you know). Throughout the film, Up taps into feelings of love, loss and closure, creating a touching story about the power of opening up, letting go and setting your emotions free. In addition to some tear-jerking scenes, Up also offers its fair share of laughs by pairing Russell, a jubilant, curious boy, with Carl Fredricksen, a cranky old man -- which also leads to some surprisingly tender moments. See at Disney Plus
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Incredibles 3 Gets New Director, Why Brad Bird Isn't Directing Revealed
Pixar's Incredibles 3 has found a new director, with Disney revealing that a new filmmaker will step behind the camera for the next entry in the iconic Disney franchise. Who is the new Incredibles 3 director? According to a report from THR, Peter Sohn — the director behind Elemental and The Good Dinosaur — will direct the third installment in the Incredibles franchise. Advertisement Brad Bird, who wrote and directed the first two films, is still on board to write the third movie. However, Bird will not be directing this film, and it seems as if his schedule is keeping him from directing the third movie. He's currently in pre-production on Ray Gunn, a movie for Skydance. Disney+ Has the Best Bundle in the Business Sign-up today for access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Learn More Not too much is known about Incredibles 3, although the movie was officially announced last year with a new logo. The franchise originally began in 2004, with the first movie following a family of superheroes trying to hide their powers and live a normal life. Advertisement The first film was a major success for Disney and Pixar, earning over $600 million at the global box office. 14 years later, a sequel to the film was released, which dealt with the family of superheroes now trying to restore the public's trust in superheroes. That movie was also a massive hit, and made over $1.2 billion at the global box office. The Incredibles franchise has largely starred Craig T. Nelson as Robert 'Bob' Parr/Mr. Incredible, Holly Hunter as Helen Parr/Elastigirl/Mrs. Incredible, Sarah Vowell as Violet Parr, Spencer Fox and Huckleberry Milner as Dashiell 'Dash' Parr, Samuel L. Jackson as Lucius Best/Frozone, and Brad Bird as Edna 'E' Mode. The post Incredibles 3 Gets New Director, Why Brad Bird Isn't Directing Revealed appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After Pixar's Incredibles 3 Confirms A Major Change, I'm Actually More Excited For The Movie
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. I was in the audience at D23 last summer when Pixar CCO Pete Docter confirmed that Brad Bird was already at work developing Incredibles 3. There was, unsurprisingly, a lot of applause following that announcement. The Incredibles is one of Pixar's most beloved films. Incredibles 2 was the top-grossing Pixar movie ever made until Inside Out 2 dethroned it last summer. I like both Incredibles films, but I have to admit I wasn't overwhelmed with excitement that Incredibles 3 was on the way. There was no reason to believe it wouldn't be a solid film, but I just found it less interesting than doing something new or even making a sequel to a film that hadn't already received one. But now I'm a bit more curious about Incredibles 3 because it will be different from the previous films in a big way. Today, THR broke the news that while Brad Bird will write and produce Incredibles 3, he will not direct the movie, as he had done with each of the previous Incredibles franchise entries. Instead, directing duties will be handled by Peter Sohn, who most recently directed Pixar's Elemental. While it had been widely assumed that Bird would direct the movie, it had never been specifically stated by Pixar. Perhaps that had even been the plan at one point. Bird does have other projects he's directing, including Ray Gunn for Netflix. It's possible Bird just didn't have the time in his schedule. Bird and Docter reportedly jointly selected Sohn as the man who should direct the new film. But now you have my attention. My love for Elemental is well known to frequent CinemaBlend readers. I think it's the best movie Pixar has made in a long time. Pixar has always been good at turning things without consciousness into living things that we care about and cry over. But in Elemental, we saw those characters fall in love, and the movie let a single relationship carry the weight of the entire story. If Peter Sohn can do that with fire and water, then I have high hopes that he can do even more with characters that are actually human. It might be just enough of a different vibe to an Incredibles movie that it feels unique and not simply like it's another of the same movie for the third time. Fans of Brad Bird need not worry. He's still writing the film, so one assumes the final script, the plot, the dialogue, etc, will be mostly his work. It will still be Bird's story, and Sohn has been one of his long-time collaborator. Sohn began his professional career as an animator on The Iron Giant and has contributed to every film Bird has made for Pixar, including both previous Incredibles movies. If there's another person capable of bringing Brad Bird's work to life properly, it's probably Peter Sohn. The fact that a director has been slotted indicates that Incredibles 3 is probably getting ready to shift into more of a production status, though the movie is probably at least a couple of years away at least. Still, I'm looking forward to when that day comes more now than I was before.
