Pixar’s Monsters Inc. Sequel Hopes Must Happen To Pay-Off Massive Sulley & Boo Cliffhanger

Summary

• Monsters, Inc. 2 can finally address Sulley and Boo’s reunion following the first film’s cliffhanger ending.
• Disney previously scrapped a devastating sequel idea where Boo would have died.
• Pixar must make sure Monsters, Inc. 2 lives up to the original film’s high standard.

A Monsters, Inc. sequel has been a long time coming, and although Pixar hasn’t officially confirmed another movie, one has been teased, hopefully finally paying off the original film’s ending. The 2001 animated comedy, directed by Pete Docter, was only the fourth Pixar movie ever made, following in the footsteps of Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and Toy Story 2. Although Monsters, Inc. is one of Pixar’s oldest films, it’s still among the animation company’s best. It deserves a sequel, which must live up to the hype that’s been building since Monsters, Inc. ended on a cliffhanger 23 years ago.

Monsters, Inc.
was Pete Docter’s feature directorial debut, and he is now the chief creative officer (CCO) of Pixar. Docter also directed
Up,
Inside Out,
and
Soul
.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly in June 2024, Docter previewed Pixar’s new release plan, including the studio’s stance against making live-action remakes and the future of Monsters, Inc. Docter said, “We’ve been searching for ideas for a Monsters, Inc. sequel for a long time, and we haven’t seen enough to start working on anything there yet.” Even though Pixar is reportedly not actively working on a Monsters, Inc. sequel, it’s a strong possibility, especially since the studio is focusing on developing sequels of hit movies. Consequently, a Monsters, Inc. sequel is inevitable.

Monsters, Inc. 2 Can Finally Show What Happened After Sulley & Boo’s Reunion

The 2001 Film Ended With Sulley Reuniting With Boo

As many will recall, Monsters, Inc. ends with Boo returning to the human world and Roz destroying her door, prohibiting Sulley from ever seeing the young girl again. However, Mike Wazowski, being the good friend he is, pieces Boo’s door back together, resulting in numerous splinters. Sulley, who is now the CEO, slowly approaches the door and opens it. The movie never shows Boo, but her voice is heard when Sulley opens her door, and she says, “Kitty.” Then, Monsters, Inc. ends with Sulley smiling at her. Unfortunately, viewers never see Sulley and Boo officially reunite, and a sequel could change that.

A potential (and likely) Monsters, Inc. sequel would have to show the audience what happens after Sulley walks through Boo’s door at the end of the 2001 movie. The second film’s entirety doesn’t need to take place right after the first one concludes. It could occur several years later. But it must at least contain a flashback or any scene focusing on Sulley reuniting with Boo since Monsters, Inc.‘s story technically ends on a cliffhanger, which has to be addressed.

Pixar Scrapped A Devastating Monsters, Inc. Sequel Before

Disney Tried To Develop A Second Monsters, Inc. Movie With Circle Seven Animation

A continuation of the 2001 animated comedy almost came to fruition in the years following its release, but Pixar canceled the Monsters, Inc. sequel and produced a prequel, Monsters University, instead. Disney’s short-lived animation studio, Circle Seven Animation, was set to develop the second film, Monsters, Inc. 2: Lost in Scaradise. However, Circle Seven Animation was shut down in 2006 and all plans for Monsters, Inc. 2 were scrapped. Seven years later, Pixar released Monsters University, which was a critical and commercial success.

The canceled
Monsters, Inc.
sequel would’ve ended on a devastating note with Boo dying, but not before recognizing her “Kitty.”

It was probably for the best that Pixar produced Monsters University rather than the original sequel since its story was heartbreaking. Monsters, Inc. 2: Lost in Scaradise featured Sulley and Mike searching for Boo after thinking she was missing. Sulley would have attempted to visit Boo a year after the first film, only to find an old lady behind her door. Sulley and Mike would later learn that the elderly woman was Boo since time worked differently in the human world. Ultimately, the canceled Monsters, Inc. sequel would’ve ended on a devastating note with Boo dying, but not before recognizing her “Kitty.”

How Monsters, Inc. 2 Should Continue Sulley & Boo’s Story

A Monsters, Inc. Sequel Must Live Up To The Original 2001 Movie

Although Pixar is known for not shying away from addressing serious topics in its films, the initial plans for the Monsters, Inc. sequel were a little too dark, even for the animation studio. So, perhaps the second movie could continue the story without jumping too far ahead in Monsters, Inc.‘s timeline. Sulley and Mike could still get stuck in the human world (and Boo would have to be there, too, of course) and try hard to avoid exposing the monster world. Whatever the case, Pixar has released numerous impressive sequels over the years, so, Monsters, Inc. 2 shouldn’t be any different.

Source: Entertainment Weekly