Pixar has delivered a major shakeup to Incredibles 3 with an announcement that Brad Bird is not directing the third film. The longtime veteran of Pixar made a splash with The Incredibles in 2004 and returned to direct the sequel in 2018, leading to the confirmation that he was developing a third entry to close out the trilogy. Disney and Pixar announced Incredibles 3 at D23 in 2024. This announcement included acknowledging Bird’s involvement, which was not specifically detailed, but led to the belief that he would be back to direct the Parr family.
Now, it has been revealed that Brad Bird is not directing Incredibles 3, with Pixar tapping Elemental‘s Peter Sohn to direct the third installment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Bird will remain involved in the new movie, as he’s currently writing the screenplay and will produce the feature. While no official reason was given for the director switch, THR notes that Bird is in pre-production on a new animated film, Ray Gunn, which may have caused a schedule conflict. Sohn, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Incredibles franchise, serving as an animator on the previous two films.
What Brad Bird Not Directing Incredibles 3 Means For The Sequel
The Movie Is Moving Ahead
Announcing a director switch for Incredibles 3 is a notable sign of where Pixar is in the development process of the film. The report notes that Bird is still in the process of writing the script, so there is not a finished screenplay at this point. But, there is still a strong enough vision for the film to bring Sohn aboard and ensure that development continues on, even if Bird needs to start turning his attention elsewhere. Sohn’s selection indicates the director switch was likely an amicable decision between Pixar and Bird, not one solely made on the studio’s behalf.
This is still a notable development for what it means for Incredibles 3‘s timetable. Pixar could have elected to wait for Bird if he felt strongly about directing the threequel. Instead, it appears this decision has been made to keep the movie moving forward. Incredibles 3 does not have an official release date set as of this writing. Sohn replacing Bird could be an indication that Disney wants the movie to come out sooner than later, such as in 2027 or 2028.
Our Take On Incredibles 3’s New Director
Brad Bird’s Replacement Is Surprising
The news that Brad Bird is not directing Incredibles 3 is something I never really expected to happen. Pixar waited 14 years for him to make a sequel originally because keeping him involved was so important. While he’s still writing and producing the threequel, not having him direct the film is still a surprise. His ability to combine the heart and action of the franchise is key to its success. However, that doesn’t mean the movie is in bad hands now.
Sohn has worked on all of Bird’s previous animated movies
It’s reᴀssuring that Incredibles 3 is in good hands even without Bird’s direction. Peter Sohn’s previous Pixar movies, The Good Dinosaur and Elemental, might not be as iconic as Incredibles, but they are very strong outings and show why he’s a good choice to take over this franchise. Knowing that Sohn has worked on all of Bird’s previous animated movies shows that Pixar has picked someone who even Bird himself trusts a lot to carry the franchise forward.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
