How Pixar's Canceled Monsters Inc. Sequel Nearly Had a Gut-Wrenching Ending (2024)

The story details surrounding the canceled Monsters, Inc. sequel suggests that the Pixar movie would have been an absolute tearjerker. Serving as the fourth movie developed by Pixar, Monsters, Inc. debuted in November 2001 before earning over half a billion at the box-office. The animated feature film was directed by Pete Docter and David Silverman and featured lead voice roles from John Goodman and Billy Crystal as two monster best friends who work at an energy-producing factory. Based on the success of the film, there were plans for a sequel that evolved into the 2013 prequel, Monsters University.

Monsters, Inc. followed Sulley (Goodman) and Mike (Crystal) as they worked at the titular company that obtained energy from scaring human children. While living in Monstropolis, the pair were led to believe that children were dangerous creatures. That belief changed when a little girl named "Boo" snuck into the monster world. With the help of Mike, the pair avoid the Child Detection Agency (CDA) while essentially altering the perception when it comes to the relationship between the two very different worlds. Their relationship was at the core of the canceled sequel, Monsters, Inc. 2: Lost In Scaradise.

What Happened After Monsters, Inc.

The Disney+ Series Monsters At Work Shows How The Company Transitions Away From Scare Power

While the canceled sequel movie to Monsters, Inc never arrived, Disney and Pixar did eventually show what happened after the movie in the Disney+ series Monsters At Work, which was far less dark than the originally proposed idea for a follow-up movie.Monsters At Work explores life at the titular company after Henry J. Waternoose is ousted and imprisoned, as well as showing audiences how monster society moves on from using fear for their power source to laughter.

After Henry J. Waternoose III is arrested, Mike and Sulley are placed in charge of Monsters Incorporated, handling the transition from fear to humor-based power. Monsters At Work doesn't focuss as heavily on Mike and Sulley though, and instead showcases the day-to-day operations of Tylor Tuskman, a Monsters Incorporated employee originally recruited as a scarer, but moved to a position as a mechanic when the company begins to transition.

The series examines the idea of not all monsters being prepared for change as well. Tylor finds himself in the position of also being recruited by a company that still relies on fear for power after working as a mechanic. The second season of Monsters At Work arrived in 2024, and while Monsters At Work season 3 isn't yet confirmed, the idea still has enough mileage to make a potential continuation possible.

Why Monsters Inc 2 Was Canceled

A Prequel Was Opted For Instead Due To Several Behind-The-Scenes Reasons

Monsters University was the second movie in the Monsters Inc. franchise, but was a prequel rather than a sequel. There were originally plans for Monsters Inc. 2, a movie that followed on directly from Monsters Inc. but it never emerged, and there are several reasons why.

When Disney and Pixar partnered up to release animated movies in the 1990s, the original contract was said to be for seven films. After those seven films were completed, Disney began to work with Circle 7 Animation. While Disney has owned or worked with several different animation divisions over the years, this company actively worked on sequels to the films originally made by Pixar for Disney. Though Pixar produced the movies, the story and character rights were held by Disney.

One of the movies in development under Circle 7 Animation was Monsters, Inc 2. Stories were also said to be in development with Toy Story and Finding Nemo characters. Eventually, those particular Pixar sequels were all scrapped because Circle 7 Animation was completely shut down. After Circle 7 shuttered, Disney actually bought Pixar in 2006. Some of the sequels, like those for Toy Story and Finding Nemo were back in active development at that point, but with Pixar instead.

Monsters, Inc 2 never got made. Instead, Pixar made a prequel in Monsters University. Though the movie didn't revisit Boo, it did give fans insight into how Mike and Sully met and became friends and teammates.

Plot Details For Monsters, Inc. 2: Lost In Scaradise

The Original Plan For The Second Monsters, Inc. Movie Were Bleak

According to a plot breakdown (via Twitter), the canceled Monsters, Inc. sequel would have picked up over a year after the original movie when Boo's repaired door was put in the archive area. Due to their unique bond, Sulley was unable to let go of Boo, so Mike set up a visit on Boo's birthday. When they arrived through the door, they find a snoring old woman in the room, leading them to set out in the human world to find Boo.

In time, they realize that doors weren't connected to specific closets, but instead, they were gateways to particular people. Time moved a lot faster in Boo's world so, in reality, she was that elderly old woman hooked up to hospital machines. When Sulley and Mike realized this fact, they would have visited Boo again, and before she passed, the figure would've recognized her furry blue friend.

As touching as the reunion sounds, the story seems a bit dark for the entire focus of the movie. Pixar doesn't shy away from heart-wrenching material, but this arc would have been a difficult reveal to accept for original Monsters, Inc. fans.

Will There Ever Be A Monsters Inc. Sequel?

There Are No Plans To Bring Boo And Sulley Back Together (Yet)

Monsters University and Monsters At Work have both been successes for Disney and Pixar. However, there are still currently no plans for Monsters, Inc 2, with the proposed bleak story or otherwise. While there's nothing to suggest that the studios won't make a followup, it does seem unlikely by this point for several reasons. Firstly, Disney and Pixar plan their schedules years in advance. If Monster's Inc 2 were on the cards anytime soon, there would have been some official announcement in some capacity already.

Secondly, given that Monsters University and Monsters At Work have been successful, there's less incentive for Disney and Pixar to revisit the Monsters Inc. ending for a feature-length followup. That doesn't mean the idea hasn't been discussed, however. According to Pixar's chief creative officer, Peter Docter, a Monsters Inc. sequel has been and is still being considered by the studio, but there are key creative barriers preventing it from moving ahead (via EW):

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.

So, while there have been rumors, the closest thing to an official word on Monsters, Inc 2 from the studio itself is that it's not been written off, but there's not actually any active development on it just yet. Hopefully, a follow-up to Monsters, Inc will move forward at some point in the future, as many fans still want to see more of the relationship between Sulley and Boo, which was a key aspect of the original movie which neither Monsters University nor Monsters At Work touched on.

Monsters, Inc.

PG

Pixar's Monsters, Inc. tells the story of Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sully" Sullivan, two monsters who work for the titular organization. Their job is to collect and harness the screams of children using inter-dimensional technology that allows them to briefly enter the supposedly dangerous human world. However, when a human child finds her way into Monsters, Inc., Sully and Mike begin to question everything their employer has ever told them, and work in secret to get her home safely.

Director

Pete Docter

Release Date

November 2, 2001

Writers

Andrew Stanton , Daniel Gerson

Cast

John Goodman , Billy Crystal , Steve Buscemi , James Coburn , Jennifer Tilly , Mary Gibbs

Runtime

92 Minutes