Inside Out 2, and its predecessor, centers on the emotional framework of Riley Andersen, a young girl whose mind houses the Emotions –Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust– that guide her through the ups and downs in life. Following the inner turmoil she experienced due to her family’s move from Minnesota to California, she (and Joy) learned the importance of emotional complexity and nuance.
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Inside Out 2 was first announced at the September 2022 D23 Expo, confirming Kelsey Mann, Mark Nielsen, and Meg LeFauve as director, producer, and writer respectively. The first film’s director, Pete Docter, ruminated on possible sequel ideas during the nominations at the 88th Academy Awards in January 2016. The goal of the sequel is to explore new emotions and expand on worldbuilding.
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On November 8, 2023, Pixar released the teaser of Inside Out 2. Taking place after the events of the first film, Riley turns 13 and experiences major emotional changes. Accompanying the upgrade to Riley’s headquarters is the brand-new Emotion, Anxiety. Desperate to make a good first impression, she brings a lot of emotional baggage… and not just from herself.
From 1:22 to 1:25, eagle-eyed viewers can spot new Emotions in the tagline. Besides Anxiety (represented with “Anxious”), there are “Envious”, “Ennui”, and “Embarrassed”, hinting at the other new Emotions not revealed in the trailer: Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment. While the three are not featured, their primary functions also clue in on their potential personalities.
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The first film notably had 27 Emotions planned but was reduced to 5 for simplification. Some were composited, such as Hope into Sadness, Pride into Disgust, and Surprise into Fear. Others were removed, such as Logic and Reason (to give Riley free will), and Gloom (to avoid unfortunate implications regarding depression). Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment are the lucky few who were refitted for the sequel.
MEET ANXIETY — Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as a new Emotion shows up unexpectedly. And Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, isn’t the type of Emotion who will take a back seat either. Directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen, “Inside Out 2” releases only in theaters Summer 2024. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
The first Inside Out starred Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Bill Hader, and Mindy Kaling as Riley’s Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust respectively. Although the former three will reprise their roles for the sequel, the latter two declined to return following a pay dispute. While Poehler accepted a $5 million pay plus bonuses to reprise Joy, Hader, and Kaling as well as the rest of the returning cast were only offered $100,000 each, amounting to 2% of Poehler’s salary. The sequel’s teaser revealed the new voice actors for Fear and Disgust, Tony Hale and Liza Lapira respectively. Newcomer Maya Hawke plays the new emotion, Anxiety.
Inside Out 2 is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 14, 2024. Although planned to be the second Pixar film of 2024, the studio’s other upcoming film Elio was delayed from its release date of March 1, 2024, to June 13, 2025, due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
About Inside Out 2
Release Date: Summer of 2024
Director: Kelsey Mann
Production: Pixar
Distribution: Walt Disney Studios
Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, Maya Hawke
Synopsis
The little voices inside Riley’s head know her inside and out—but next summer, everything changes when Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” introduces a new Emotion: Anxiety. According to director Kelsey Mann, the new character promises to stir things up within headquarters. “Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, might be new to the crew, but she’s not really the type to take a back seat,” said Mann. “That makes a lot of sense if you think about it in terms of what goes on inside all our minds.” A trailer, poster and film stills are now available for what promises to be the feel-good (or feel-everything) film of Summer 2024.
How do you feel about the Inside Out 2 teaser? What developments will Riley’s new emotions bring to her life? Let us know in on social media!
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