Pixar Updates Us On Which Classic Films Will Get 3D Re-Releases Next

Pixar won’t have a new movie in theaters this year – the first time that has happened since 2005, when there was a gap between The Incredibles (2004) and Cars (2006). But if plans continue to roll along, the animation giant will have two old films in theaters for you to enjoy once again.

Pixar currently is working on 3D retrofitted versions of both The Incredibles and Ratatouille, according to ScreenDaily. The site caught up with Pixar’s director of 3D production Josh Hollander at the 3D Creative Summit in London, where he talked about the ongoing process to bring Brad Bird’s superhero comedy up to speed. Hollander said:

Right now we’re working on The Incredibles, which is a lot of fun in 3D. I’m not sure what the release strategy for it will be. It’s been an interesting challenge to work on technology because - while the film was released 10 years ago - the technology is even older, as it took four years to make."

Funny. It doesn’t look that old.

Hollander went on to say that the studio is tinkering with Ratatouille, also helmed by Bird, but also leaned on the "Vague" card by saying, "We have a version of Ratatouille, which works really well in 3D and we’re trying to figure out exactly what the release strategy for that will be."

Pixar has been cranking out 3D versions of its past classics over the years. The first two Toy Story movies got a crack at theater audiences again. Finding Nemo and the initial Monsters, Inc. got the upgrade. Bird’s outputs are next up. We just don’t know when.

And while this is fantastic, we’d kind of love for Pixar to stay focused on releasing the next great original feature film. Monsters University was very clever and heartwarming, but it was a prequel. The studio’s pending feature, Pete Docter’s Inside Out, will be fresh and new, and Hollander talked about that one, as well, stating:

"The movie is just pure magic. We’re looking at how translucency and opacity is used, which plays really well in 3D. There’s not much more I can share about it but it will build upon our use of 3D, supporting ‘emotions’ and emotional moments."

God, that makes me so happy. The movie features the voices of the wickedly talented Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith and Bill Hader as the emotional components of an 11-year-old girl whose family has just moved to San Francisco. At the very least, we know that Inside Out will be in theaters on June 19, 2015… but will it beat Incredibles and Ratatouille to the big screens?

Sean O'Connell
Managing Editor

Sean O’Connell is a journalist and CinemaBlend’s Managing Editor. Having been with the site since 2011, Sean interviewed myriad directors, actors and producers, and created ReelBlend, which he proudly cohosts with Jake Hamilton and Kevin McCarthy. And he's the author of RELEASE THE SNYDER CUT, the Spider-Man history book WITH GREAT POWER, and an upcoming book about Bruce Willis.