Thursday, January 15, 2009

'Monsters' sequel in 2013?

Here's the story: Someone working at Pixar may have inadvertently given away the fact that a sequel to Monsters, Inc. is in production at the studio, likely for release in 2013.

Using Site Meter, which gives me comprehensive site statistics, I learned that someone at Pixar typed in the words 'monsters 2013 pixar' into Google this morning (see copy of "Visit Detail" report) and subsequently encountered this post (discussing Pete Docter's rumor-fueling "non-denial denial" that a sequel is in the works) where the words appeared.

What other reason could there be for a Pixarian doing a search for 'monsters 2013 pixar' except a sequel coming out then? The original film came out in 2001, the Blu-ray comes out later this year, and the much-anticipated ride at Walt Disney World is slated for a Fall 2011 opening, possibly in anticipation of a sequel.

So, what do you think? Am I totally delusional here from the excitement at the prospect of a Monsters, Inc. 2 or do you agree with my theory, and how excited are you? Comment below, please.

P.S. Yes, most sites wouldn't use such information, at least not publicly, but I have no problem :)

37 comments:

GlobeReacher said...

A Pixarian's did say that they had a really good story for Monsters, Inc. 2 not long ago. I'm not surprised by your post.

Midgard Dragon said...

Sorry, but this is just a liiitttlle creepy. Careful of those Disney lawyers, though, they could see this as some kind of breech of privacy or something.

Anonymous said...

I think that a "Monsters, Inc. 2" would be nice. I like it when Pixar creates new worlds (Monsters, Inc. & WALL-E) rather then re-treads worlds that already are.

Personally, I'd love it if Pixar had a separate branch for more experimental & edgy CGI films then the usual family fare.

PixarFan said...

Well, after your post a little bit ago, with Lindsey and Jim, there was talk of other sequels besides Toy Story 3 and Cars 2, so I wouldn't put it past Pixar to do another Monster's movie.

Mike said...

"a liiitttlle creepy", haha, yeah. Be careful what you type! :)

Anonymous said...

You need to blur the person's IP address out. You would not want that guy to get fired.

Mike said...

That seems like a good idea...

IncredibleMrD said...

That's awesome news!

(That would be funny if the anonymous person who told you to erase the IP address was the actual person who did the search and is now like "shoot, I'm gonna get in trouble")

Anonymous said...

Or this could have been a ruse, to see who and how people are watching them.

Rachel said...

Great sleuthing, there! :)

Anonymous said...

This is speculation. Just because someone works at Pixar doesn't mean that it should become a big deal because they searched something.

It could be something, or it could be an intern at the company, on a company computer, searching for possible sequels, because they don't know anything. Did they search every single Pixar movie title that didn't have a sequel in the works, plus some random year that might make sense?

Unless they linked to your website from every single search that they may have done, you don't have the big picture.

So, at this time, We can neither comfirm, nor deny the presence of a Monsters Inc. 2..

Anonymous said...

I sincerely no one gets in trouble for this...

Anonymous said...

I meant, I sincerely hope no one gets in trouble for this. Left out a word there...

Vivek said...

Pixar used to say that "they are not in the business on sequels". Dont get me wrong I'm sure they will do an amazing job on what ever they do but I want them to keep delivering new stories with new characters, new worlds, new ideas. Sequels are everywhere and I'm a bit over them.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure an MTV article recently broke the news that Pixar is working on Monsters, Inc 2.

It's understandable. A slate of original movies only, like this year WALL-E and Bolt, simply can't compete with Dreamworks anymore. And they have to make money.

So Toy Story 3, Cars 2 and Monsters 2 will be serious forces to be reckoned with at the Box Office. And if they're good, why not?

jstrawn said...

Since you asked 'what do you think?'...
First, what is TPB (Trailer Park Boys?) and how would the average person whose possibly be familiar with that acronym.
Second, how creepy that you can and do monitor a company's internal Google searches remotely.
Third, if Pixar is developing such a film, why would they be using Goggle to do research on it, since everything they would need to know is already in-house. What, do you think they're checking to see if anyone else is working on a Monsters Inc sequel a the same time who maybe has some good ideas to borrow.
Fourth, I'm sure Pete Docter, and many other pixarians have get of entertainment from misleading on totally obsessive fans with any one of a number of false rumors concerning any past or present projects.
Fifth, if there is a Monster's Inc. sequel in the works, who cares about it right now, 2013 is a long ways off and rumoring about it years ahead of time will not speed up production. If anything, it could delay production if the Pixar exec's have to waste time quieting rumors spread by geeky fans who think they will impress their friends or actually get a date by being the first to know about yet another animated film from Pixar.
But that's just my opinion.

Mike said...

To Jstrawn. My rebuttal:

1. I'm actually not a big fan of the acronym TPB; I use it becuase it's short and I find people referring to the site as such often. I think the "average person" can figure it out --The Pixar Blog.

2. Yes, it may seem "creepy" that one can find out certain details using a web analytics program but that's kind of the point. It's a useful tool that everybody uses these days.

I cannot, do not, and would not "monitor a company's internal Google searches remotely". I believe that would be illegal and I would never do anything illegal :) One feature of advanced counters such as Site Meter is to allow you to see how a visitor arrived at your site. If that happens to be through a search then it gives you the keywords used.

And since you mention Google... ha! If you're surprised by what individual blog operators can do using Site Meter, I suspect you'd be shocked if you learned of Google's activities. Those guys want your medical records.

3. Your argument that nobody at Pixar would have a reason for doing a search on the title of an unnanounced film is completly faulty. A likely reason is to see how much (if any) chatter there is about it online.

4.Others have mentioned the possibility of a ruse. I don't think so.

5.You're comment "if there is a Monsters Inc. sequel in the works, who cares about it right now, 2013 is a long ways off" shows me you're obviously not a fan. As for you subsequent comments, I shall not honor them with a response!

Lance Goodthrust said...

I thought I heard a rumor a couple years ago that there were plans to make sequels to all the Pixar films.

IF that's the case then I have no doubt a sequel to Monsters is in the works.

jstrawn said...

You asked for responses, so no need to get defensive. Thanks for the informative rebuttal points though. You can consider me, 'not a fan' by your definition if you like, that's fine. Pixar fandom is not a badge of honor to me, and following their movies is not a big part of my life. Don't get me wrong, I love their movies and I like to know what's coming down the pipe (which is why I'm on here), since their films are usually the only ones I see in a theater all year. It's just that obsessively following the creative pursuits of others is not that interesting to me.

Alan Valek said...

I loved Monsters Inc, I would love to see a Monsters Inc. 2!! Never a bad Pixar film.

Mike said...

Jstrawn: I wasn't getting defensive, only responding to your criticisms. And I'm not "obsessive".

Simon said...

Wow I'm away for one day without looking at this blog and news like this show up! Wow, this is so cool, I just watched the first Monsters Inc again and fell in love with it again, so a sequel shouldn't hurt, but it might! Lets just hope they pull it of! But heck, I'm happy with any Pixar news that you can give us :)

Thank you so much Mike!

Mike said...

You are very welcome!

Anonymous said...

Nothing is confirmed. A sequel is not any more likely now that you have reported this!

Mike said...

Yeah, of course nothing is confirmed yet, but this is one additional piece of info strongly suggesting a sequel.

Anonymous said...

The Monsters, Inc. franchise has been greatly underutilized. It's potential for creating attractions (the upcoming 2011 ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios) and merchandising has never been fully realized. I look forward to it as an early Pixar fan (now aging), and would not be surprised to see more adult humor worked in.

Anonymous said...

i would absolutely LOVE if they were to bring out a monsters inc 2!! PLEASE DO :) x

Chandra said...

I hope they make a number 2!!! Monsters Inc. is the best movie ever!!!

Rishda Tarkaan said...

Well, I least expected this. And it is Pixar's reputation to do the least expected so no one should be that surprised :P

Anonymous said...

Amen to that!

PennieDagen said...

Well, I am not sure about all these other peoples comments. But, let me tell you as a mother of two young boys I absolutely love Monsters Inc. it was a classic if you ask me and it does need a part two. It is really hard to find good kids shows that the adults can enjoy as well and this is one of the best! It would be a shame if there was not a part two put into the works! Please, do make a part two not only for all the kids but for their moms and dads too. (just don't forget our favorite character BOO!) Oh, and FYI; I found this online by mistake checking to see if I could download it from amazon or somewhere to buy and watch on my TIVO since my old DVD is to scratched to watch it and it could not be found on amazon download! :(

Anonymous said...

The idea of a Monsters Inc. 2 is extremely exciting. I loved the 1st and will love the 2nd. If this is true something to look forward to.

Anonymous said...

I love Monsters, Inc. It's probably my favorite Pixar movie, actually. But I also love the ending.
I really hope that they will not make a sequel for Monsters Inc. It's a fine movie the way it is, and some movies are just ruined because of cheap sequels. Ok, I'm sure Pixar wouldn't let that happen. But I still don't like the idea of a sequel for Monsters Inc.

Katy said...

oh my goodness, that would be awesome! i love Monsters, Inc.! :D

Anonymous said...

I realize that I am a year late to the party, but the thought of a sequel to Monster's Inc. just makes me want to pee all over myself with excitement. I would LOVE it!!

jstrawn said...

I regret being the one to burst that bubble (or to keep your clothing dry as the case may be) but, according to more recent updates, this rumor was unfounded and Pxr currently has no plans to do this sequel, unfortunately.

Anonymous said...

I have been waiting for a new monsters inc movie to come out but it never did im disapointed im watching it right now and im just waiting for a nother movie i just love pixar's work