Andrew Stanton Set to Return for 'Finding Nemo' Sequel Amidst Buzzing Rumors

 

Grok Entertainment Desk | July 17, 2012

In a move that's sure to delight Pixar fans and ocean enthusiasts alike, sources close to the studio have confirmed to the Grok Entertainment Desk that acclaimed director Andrew Stanton is gearing up to helm a sequel to the beloved 2003 animated hit Finding Nemo. This exclusive revelation comes hot on the heels of Stanton's recent foray into live-action with Disney's John Carter, which, despite its ambitious scope, faced challenges at the box office earlier this year.

Stanton, who co-directed the original Finding Nemo alongside Lee Unkrich, has long been synonymous with Pixar's underwater triumph. The film, which followed the epic journey of a clownfish named Marlin searching for his lost son Nemo, grossed over $867 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also introduced audiences to unforgettable characters like the forgetful blue tang Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, and the laid-back sea turtle Crush.

According to our insiders, Stanton has been quietly developing the sequel concept, drawing inspiration from the rich marine world he helped create nearly a decade ago. While details remain under wraps, whispers suggest the story could explore new depths—perhaps focusing on Dory's backstory or introducing fresh adventures for the ensemble cast. "Andrew's passion for storytelling hasn't dimmed," one source told us. "He's eager to dive back into animation after his Martian detour with John Carter. This sequel is his way of returning to what he does best."

The rumor mill has been churning for months, with speculation fueled by Stanton's own comments in past interviews where he expressed reluctance to revisit the Nemo universe unless the story warranted it. However, recent developments indicate a shift: Pixar executives are reportedly thrilled with his pitch, seeing it as a natural extension of the franchise that could recapture the magic of the original while pushing animation boundaries further.

This isn't Pixar's first sequel rodeo—the studio has successfully followed up hits like Toy Story and Cars with installments that balanced nostalgia and innovation. A Finding Nemo sequel could potentially reunite voice talents such as Albert Brooks (Marlin), Ellen DeGeneres (Dory), and Alexander Gould (Nemo), though no casting confirmations have been made yet.

DreamWorks Animation Comic-Con panel: Caveman families and penguin movies

 Grok Entertainment Desk | July 12, 2012

The Projects: Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted; Rise of the Guardians; and The Croods

The Panel: Bill Damaschke, chief creative officer of DreamWorks Animation; James Baxter, supervising animator for The Croods; Tom McGrath, director of Madagascar 3; and Patrick Hanenberger, production designer for Rise of the Guardians. EW’s Anthony Breznican moderated the panel.

The Big Revelations: At the very end of the panel, Madagascar 3director McGrath (who also voices Skipper the penguin) confirmed that the penguins of Madagascar will be getting their own feature film, out in 2015. It will be titled, appropriately enough, The Penguins of Madagascar (the same title as an animated TV Nickelodeon series from DreamWorks Animation). 

Damaschke was also guilt tripped by an audience question into revealing that Kung Fu Panda 3 is in the works. (Another questioner got a bit of a mini-scoop on the DreamWorks Animation project Me and My Shadow. More on that in a bit.)

And we also got a first look at The Croods, about a caveman family who are forced from a sheltered life into the world beyond, after their cave is destroyed. Along the way, we learned they will encounter “a guy named Guy,” said Damaschke. The character, voiced by Ryan Reynolds, is “a different kind of person because he has ideas.”

Footage Screened: The panel began with clips from Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted and a trailer for Rise of the Guardians released earlier this week, followed by what looked like the first trailer for The Croods. The footage starts out with a distinctly Brave-like feel, featuring the eldest, unnamed daughter escaping her cave to scale a sheer cliff face. Then after her family’s cave is ruined, the dusty, monochromatic world of the Croods explodes into a wildly lush and dangerous landscape filled with giant animals and vibrantly colorful plant life. The film, explained Damaschke, takes place in the fictitious Croodacious Period. “We call it evolution’s puberty.”

Snap Judgment: Any wholly original project that makes its way to theaters is quite welcome, and The Croods could be a great feast for the eyes.

Most Incisive Audience Question: The laconic man who asked if DreamWorks would ever go back to 2-D, hand-drawn animation learned that the DWA project Me and My Shadow, out spring 2014, will be half CG animation, half hand-drawn. The premise: What would happen if your shadow – which will be traditionally animated – took over your life?

The Winner of the Panel: Madagascar 3 director Tom McGrath landed the biggest laugh of the panel with this line: “We really wanted to do something psychedelic in Madagascar 3 so kids could experience drugs without taking them.”