Inside Out 2 writer offers an update on the highly anticipated third installment after the franchise’s long-awaited return in 2024. The first movie came out in 2015, grossing over $850 million worldwide and winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. However, the sequel didn’t return to theaters until nearly a decade later. Following its box office success in 2024, there is already demand for Inside Out 3, but it raises concerns about whether the next sequel will equally take as long.

In an interview with The Direct, Pixar writer Dave Holstein, who served as a writer on Inside Out 2, confirmed that they have started brainstorming for the third movie while enjoying the remaining wave of the second film. The writer has “no doubt” about a threequel and shares that the new movie will explore “a different chapter” of Riley’s life and “what happens to Joy as she gets older.” Check out what he said when asked about preliminary brainstorming:

Yeah, minimal. I mean, I would say that we’re still enjoying the the wave of fun, this second film. But I have no doubt that at some point a third, and hopefully, in my opinion, four through six, seven, eight, Inside Out should happen.

In every new movie, you want the game to change, and every sequel, you want the game to change at its foundation. And what’s great about having Riley be the engine of this franchise is that she’s going to enter a different chapter of her life where the foundation does change. The things you want in life change, and who you are changes. Your sense of self changes. You know, it’s a fascinating from a writer’s perspective, you’re given new fodder to create something cool.

I think the older audiences reacting to the climax of the movie where Joy says, ‘Maybe she doesn’t exist as we get older.’ You know, that was surprising to me how much that resonated with a wider audience. And, you know, my hope was that there could be a story in the sequel that was about what happens to Joy as she gets older, you know. And because I’m asking that question a lot these days, so I’d like to, I’m just glad that that resonated with people.

What This Means For Inside Out 3

Disney And Pixar Are Exploring The Future Of Inside Out

Inside Out 2 was a huge box office success, amᴀssing over $1.6 billion at the global box office, and it became the highest-grossing animated film at the time until it was recently dethroned by Ne Zha 2. Despite a slight drop in reception, the film was shortlisted for Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Holstein’s update indicates that Disney and Pixar are currently exploring ideas for a third installment and the franchise’s potential in the long term.

While Disney and Pixar haven’t officially confirmed a third movie, Holstein’s comment offers a positive update, suggesting that it’s almost a sure thing the franchise will return “at some point.” Given there’s plenty of material and unexplored areas in the franchise, with the writers’ room already starting to brainstorm ideas for the next movie, the wait might be a lot shorter than the second movie. If the third movie continues on a similar path, more emotions may be introduced as Riley explores her teenage years and early adulthood.

Our Take On Inside Out 3

There’s Plenty Of Space In Riley’s Timeline

The original Inside Out explores the internal changes triggered by external changes in a child, taking place when Riley is 11. Inside Out 2 features a slight time jump and addresses a teenager’s more complex inner space. It seems that there’s plenty of room for more films to take place before Riley becomes an adult, and even then, the franchise could potentially go on.

Holstein poses a very interesting question about how the franchise will work when Joy is older. She’ll always be needed in Riley’s life, but Joy will change as what a child enjoys is drastically different from what an older teen likes. It’s hard to imagine the dynamics between all the different emotions in Inside Out, but as Riley grows more mature, the theme will be geared toward maturity as well, which is very intriguing.

Source: The Direct