"Jack Jack wants a cookie?"
The highly anticipated third chapter in the beloved Incredibles saga is officially moving forward, with Peter Sohn (Elemental, The Good Dinosaur) stepping into the director's chair. This marks a significant shift, as the film was initially announced at D23 2024 with franchise creator Brad Bird leading development.
While Bird will not be directing The Incredibles 3, he remains deeply involved, penning the script for the critically and commercially successful animated series.
Bird's decision to pass on directing duties may be influenced by his commitment to Skydance Animation's Ray Gunn, a project he is currently helming. However, the Incredibles franchise appears to be in capable hands with Sohn.
His most recent directorial effort for Pixar, Elemental, famously overcame a sluggish start to become a profitable hit for the studio. And while Elemental didn't snag the top accolades at major awards ceremonies (often contending with formidable titles like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and The Boy and the Heron), it earned numerous nominations and widespread recognition from critics and industry groups for its quality animation and compelling storytelling.
Fans can also anticipate a wealth of fresh narrative possibilities, as Brad Bird previously hinted at a treasure trove of unused concepts from Incredibles 2. He revealed that a compressed production schedule forced him to "kill a city full of darlings", which suggests a lot of strong plot points and new characters simply couldn't be squeezed into the sequel.
Bird shared his hopes for these shelved ideas, stating, "You know, you never say never, because there might be an opportunity to use it... There were a lot of ideas that we had on [Incredibles 2] that could be [used] whether it's another Incredibles film, or something else."
Beyond this, fan discussions often speculate about a potential time jump for the third film. Imagining Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack at older ages with more developed and controlled powers would open up exciting new story possibilities as they navigate adolescence or even young adulthood within their superhero identities.
Looking ahead, Pixar has an exciting slate of upcoming releases that promise to deliver the studio’s signature blend of heart, humor, and stunning animation. First up is Elio, arriving in June 2025, which will introduce audiences to a young boy unexpectedly chosen as Earth's ambassador to an intergalactic society.
Following that is Hoppers, slated for March 2026, a brand-new original adventure that remains under wraps but is already generating curiosity.
Summer 2026 will mark the return of beloved characters in Toy Story 5, continuing the legacy of one of Pixar’s most iconic franchises.
Further down the road, fans can look forward to Coco 2, scheduled for release in 2029, which is expected to revisit the vibrant world of the Land of the Dead and expand on the emotional story introduced in the 2017 original.
Currently, The Incredibles 3 does not have an official release date, so be sure to stay tuned to Toonado for all future updates on the Parr family's next adventure!