What Makes Incredibles 2 Better Than the First Film – #Incredibles2Event

Thanks to Disney Pixar, I was able to attend a media event at Pixar Animation Studios for the release of Incredibles 2. During the press day, we were able to sit down with Director Brad Bird and Producers Nicole Grindle & John Walker to discuss the planning and process of creating a sequel to The Incredibles 14 years later.

Why Wait 14 Years for The Incredibles Sequel?

I don’t think it’s the greatest idea creatively to follow-up a successful film with its sequel. I think that you wanna take time. You wanna think about it. You wanna enjoy the process.

And for me, I was always thinking about it in the back of my mind, but I had other things that were more at the forefront. And then suddenly it was years later and I went, holy crap, I better get going on something! I just was mulling on it and it finally seemed like the right thing to do. I didn’t wanna wait any longer though, because it was clearly too long.

~ Brad Bird

After screening 30 minutes of the film, I can honestly say I believe viewers will be thankful they waited. Over the years technology improved which resulted in them being able to take Incredibles 2 to a whole new level.

The characters look more like (the audience hopefully can’t tell any difference) our original designs in the first film than they did in the first film. We got close the first time around, but we didn’t get them bang on. And on this film, they’re bang on. 

~ Brad Bird

In the first film, they had three times as many sets as any Pixar film before. What they were able to accomplish with The Incredibles was amazing at the time. Brad Bird tried to push the limits and wanted to do more, but the technology at the time prevented it. With Incredibles 2, you get a chance to see that skyrocket.

The Incredibles was filled with everything that CG couldn’t do well at that point. Now the medium has improved so much that they can create realistic fire scenes and water that looks like it is flowing and has depth, the animation truly has come to life.

Bringing Old Ideas to Life

The central idea, which was a role switch between Bob and Helen, and the fact that the family didn’t know of the baby’s powers and that they would learn about it in this film, that almost dates back to the first film’s release, I had those ideas.

What changed all the time was the sort of superhero plot. And that changed radically. But the core idea of Helen getting the mission and Bob staying at home and them having to cope with the baby’s powers, that’s my oldest idea for this film.

~ Brad Bird

When the original film was released the superhero market was not saturated as much as it is now. Nowadays when you turn on the television you can see a superhero TV show or a preview of the next superhero movie. Not that I’m complaining, because you know I love my Marvel movies! However, the Incredibles 2 Pixar team wanted to bring something different to the screen with this film.

The Incredibles 2 movie is more about a family and their roles being super while living mundane lives than it is a generic superhero movie. 

Dad = expected to be strong

Mom = always stretched in a million directions

Teenager = defensive and insecure – invisibility/force fields

Ten-year-old = ball of energy and always speeding around

Babies = unknown – could have no powers or be the next free world leader

Recasting Dash Parr

The Pixar team knew when The Incredibles opened in the theater when the time came for a sequel they would have to recast Dash. His voice is that of a ten-year-old and the previous actor’s voice would mature over time.

They feel very confident in their casting choice with Huck Milner. 

We got lucky with Huck. He just sorta sounded right, but his personality was muted. I just had a feeling that he would be right. And once he got the part, he just let it out and it happened to be totally right. And he was the same kind of energy that Spencer had. And it was like, fasten your seatbelts, we’re gonna record Dash today.

~ Brad Bird

Huck Milner was so excited about his role, he came dressed as Dash to set. He was known to do laps around the studio between lines to stay in character. 

Incredibles 2 in Theaters June 15th

Purchase your tickets to see Incredibles 2 in theaters June 15th on Fandango now!