Pixar’s upcoming The Incredibles 3 will reportedly omit some elements from its predecessors — and that might be a positive development.
Last summer, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter confirmed at the D23 Expo that Brad Bird had begun work on The Incredibles 3. The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause, which was no surprise given the franchise’s immense popularity. The Incredibles 2 held the record as Pixar’s highest-grossing film until it was recently surpassed by Inside Out 2.
While I enjoyed both The Incredibles films, I must admit I wasn’t particularly excited about the third installment initially. I had no doubt it would be a quality production, but the idea of a sequel to a well-established franchise felt less compelling than a fresh story or continuing a series that hadn’t yet had a sequel. However, my anticipation has grown considerably now that the new film promises to be quite different from the previous two.
Brad Bird Steps Back from Directing, New Director Confirmed
Today, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Brad Bird will serve as the writer and producer for The Incredibles 3, but will not return as director, a role he held for the first two films. Instead, Peter Sohn, who recently directed Pixar’s Elemental, will helm the project.
Fans might be surprised by this news, as Bird had long been assumed to direct the film. This change may be due to Bird’s commitments to other projects, including Netflix’s Ray Gunn. Reportedly, Bird and Docter personally chose Sohn as the director for the sequel.
Why Peter Sohn Is a Great Fit for The Incredibles 3
Having admired Elemental deeply — a film often praised by CinemaBlend’s audience — I believe Sohn is an excellent choice. Pixar has long excelled at bringing inanimate concepts to life with emotional resonance. In Elemental, Sohn explored themes of love and connection so profoundly that a single relationship carried the narrative’s emotional weight.
If Sohn could evoke such depth with elemental characters like fire and water, I am optimistic about what he can do with more realistic human characters in The Incredibles 3. This fresh directorial perspective may differentiate the new film enough to feel unique rather than a straightforward continuation of the previous installments.
Brad Bird’s Influence Remains Strong
Fans of Bird need not worry. He remains heavily involved in the project, overseeing the script, story, and dialogue. The film will continue to reflect his creative vision. Notably, Peter Sohn has been a longtime collaborator with Bird, having worked on every Pixar film Bird directed, including the first two Incredibles movies. Sohn’s experience as an animator on The Iron Giant and his ongoing partnership with Bird positions him well to carry forward Bird’s storytelling legacy.
Looking Ahead
The confirmation of the director signals that The Incredibles 3 is likely moving into production, although a release date may still be years away. Regardless, my excitement for the film’s eventual arrival has definitely increased.
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