Exclusive: Richard Kind addresses his absence from Inside Out 2, explaining why he feels Bing Bong not returning for the sequel ultimately benefited the franchise’s journey so far. Kind’s imaginary friend was a key character of the 2015 Pixar animated feature, being the long-forgotten companion of Riley whom Joy (Amy Poehler) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) stumble across on their journey back to Headquarters. The 2024 sequel focuses its attention on Riley’s existing Emotions as they grapple with some new Emotions joining their ranks.

While Kind sat down to discuss his appearance in Poker Face season 2 with Screen Rant, the actor revealed why he found himself omitted from Inside Out 2. Though the actor is on good terms with Pixar CCO and director Peter Docter, Kind not only had no desire to use his connections to join the cast but felt it could lessen the character’s impact. Check out Kind’s full response below:

“Well, Pete Docter, who is now helping to run Pixar, and is still writing and directing films for the company, he’s really a good friend, to the point where I vacation with he and his wife. I know his daughter well, we have remained friends. There’s one thing I don’t do is ask friends for work, or even intimate friends for work. So, when I wasn’t in Inside Out 2, it was all fine, and I couldn’t have been there, because it would have been a false reality. We all know what happened to Bing Bong. I talk about stuff like this, I do a speaking tour all around the country, they have various states, like I’m doing Atlanta, doing New York, I think I’m doing San Francisco, and I talk about stuff like this, and what it’s like to have done Bing Bong. Maybe he shouldn’t [come back], maybe the purity is already set, and why screw with it? We love Bing Bong, let them want more. Maybe he doesn’t need to be seen anymore. I like how he exists already in the world, certainly in your world. But, again, Bing Bong is without guile, he’s just like Jeffrey. He’s without guile, he just wants to give to who he loves, and there’s a beauty to that. I think that’s pretty great.”

Why Bing Bong’s Fate Is An Important Part Of Inside Out

The Character Represents A Major Part Of Riley’s Journey

Though he may not have been one of Riley’s main emotions, Bing Bong had an incredible impact on Inside Out’s story. While he had slipped from Riley’s mind more and more as she grew older, he lingered in her subconscious until the day Joy and Sadness found him when making their way back to Headquarters. Though they promised to help Riley remember him and reunite them, Bing Bong sacrifices himself to allow Joy to escape the Memory Dump, fading away as Riley finally forgets him.

In a movie that is focused on growing older, Bing Bong’s fate stands out as one of Inside Out‘s most heartbreaking moments. Though Riley thought of Bing Bong less as she reached her teens, he was still a part of her mind and had fond memories of their time together, asking Joy to fulfill their dreams he and Riley shared. As such, though Bing Bong may have succeeded in reuniting the Emotions, his fading away feels like Riley losing a key part of her childhood.

Our Thoughts On Bing Bong’s Inside Out 2 Absence

The Character’s Impact Has Allowed Him To Continue To Resonate With Viewers

Though expanded material may hint towards Bing Bong still having a place within Riley’s mind, it is clear that Kind feels that letting the character go is for the best. As the actor states, Bing Bong has had such an incredible impact on audiences due to his tragic fate, and for many, seeing him return in on-screen media may prove too unbelievable. As such, Kind’s response may leave some Inside Out fans content that the character didn’t return for Inside Out 2.