Disney/Pixar to Develop Sequels to CARS, THE INCREDIBLES

Disney Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger today announced that Pixar Animation Studios will develop a third big screen installment of CARS, as well as a sequel to Brad Bird's 2004 superhero adventure THE INCREDIBLES.

The announcement was made during a meeting of shareholders and D23 Members during the company's annual meeting today in Portland, Oregon.

The CGI animated film series began with the 2006 film, Cars, produced by Pixar and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The film was followed by a sequel in 2011, and a 2013 spin-off film, Planes, produced by DisneyToon Studios. The first two films were directed by John Lasseter, the chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios. Together, the two films have accrued over $1 billion in box office revenue worldwide.

The Incredibles is a 2004 American computer-animated comedy superhero film written and directed by Brad Bird and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was the sixth film produced by Pixar Animation Studios. The film's title is the name of a family of superheroes who are forced to hide their powers and live a quiet suburban life. Mr. Incredible's desire to help people draws the entire family into a battle with an evil villain and his killer robot.

Bird, who was Pixar's first outside director, developed the film as an extension of 1960s comic books and spy films from his boyhood and personal family life. He pitched the film to Pixar after the box office disappointment of his first feature, The Iron Giant (1999), and carried over much of its staff to develop The Incredibles. The animation team was tasked with animating an all-human cast, which required creating new technology to animate detailed human anatomy, clothing and realistic skin and hair. Michael Giacchino composed the film's orchestral score.

The film premiered on October 27, 2004 at the BFI London Film Festival and had its general release in the United States on November 5, 2004. The film performed very well at the box office, grossing $631 million worldwide during its original theatrical run. The Incredibles was met with high critical acclaim, garnering high marks from professional critics and audiences, and provoking commentary on its themes. Many critics called it the best film of 2004, receiving the 2004 Annie Award for Best Animated Feature, along with two Academy Awards. It became the first entirely animated film to win the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.