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The trend in the film industry for leaning heavily on established franchises seems unending, and Pixar Animation Studios, now under Disney’s wing, has not remained immune to this phenomenon. Renowned for their unique and original content, Pixar has begun to shift towards a greater reliance on sequels and reboots in an effort to recapture past box office success. This pivot to revisiting beloved characters and worlds has been part of the studio’s strategy to ensure continued viewer engagement.
This move aligns with the prevailing Hollywood strategy and is supported by Disney CEO Bob Iger who uniformly backs the company’s sequel strategy. Pixar President Jim Morris has outlined a goal of releasing three films biennially, alternating between sequels/spinoffs and original projects or potential new franchises, according to a report by Bloomberg. They are also considering reboots of significant titles like Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.
What “reboot” entails is not explicitly defined, but it may involve revisiting the worlds or characters without necessarily restarting the storylines. Despite skepticism, such as the perception that an Incredibles 3 could appear as a “money grab,” Pixar still finds value in these franchises. Exploring new territories for a Finding Nemo sequel, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter sees the vast ocean as an area ripe with “opportunity.”
However, the box office performance during the pandemic and streaming releases have sent mixed signals. Straight-to-streaming titles have impacted Pixar’s box office reputation, and films like the spin-off Lightyear underperformed, whereas the original film Elemental saw sustained global interest after its launch. This could suggest that while sequels are a safe bet, originals may require just a bit more cultivation.
Pixar isn’t just replaying old hits; it’s also changing its approach to content creation. Moving away from personal, autobiographical storytelling found in films like Luca and Turning Red, the studio is now focusing on more widely relatable stories. With the upcoming release of Inside Out 2, mass appeal is the objective. This sequel continues Pixar’s trend, despite its story being intimately personal to the director, Kelsey Mann.
Nevertheless, Pixar’s newest business strategy isn’t seen as anything revolutionary within the industry. The recent dismissal of 175 Pixar employees reflects the broader industry’s shift towards safer, big-ticket cinematic ventures. This trend of perpetuating franchises at the expense of unique, original narratives may indeed bring crowds back to theaters post-pandemic, but it runs the risk of plateauing Pixar’s creative storytelling legacy.
FAQ about Pixar’s Shift Towards Sequels and Reboots
- Why is Pixar focusing on sequels and reboots?
- Pixar’s focus on sequels and reboots is a response to changing industry trends and the need to ensure reliable box office performance in the aftermath of disruptions such as the pandemic. Their strategy involves alternating between sequels and original content, aiming to appeal to a broader audience.
- What did Pixar President Jim Morris say about the studio’s release strategy?
- Jim Morris mentioned a goal for Pixar to release three movies every two years, with each alternating release being either a sequel or a spinoff, and the others as standalone concepts or potential new franchises.
- Has Pixar’s pivot to sequels been successful?
- The success of Pixar’s pivot to sequels has been mixed. While existing franchises have a built-in audience, not all sequels have performed as expected. The impact of the pandemic and the studio’s straight-to-streaming releases has also complicated the assessment of success.
- Is Pixar moving away from personal, autobiographical films?
- Yes, Pixar is shifting focus away from the more personal and autobiographical storytelling that characterized some of its earlier films. The studio is aiming to produce films with narratives that have a broader and more universal appeal.
- What is the industry’s general approach to sequels and reboots?
- The film industry often relies on sequels and reboots due to their potential to capitalize on existing audiences and their perceived lower financial risk compared to original content.