Last month, Pixar officially unveiled two films that will be hitting theaters worldwide in 2013 and 2014, The Untitled Pixar Movie About Dinosaurs and The Untitled Pixar Movie That Takes You Inside The Mind. Given the lengthy amount of time it takes to conceptualize an idea and turn it into a full-blown animated film, the studio is always working on a number of projects at one point in time. We can add another one to the list, as it looks like Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich has just gotten the greenlight to begin work on his next film.
Late Thursday evening, Lee Unkrich took to his twitter and shared the following:
[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/leeunkrich/status/117111135081205760″]
The next day, he was likely pitching an idea or awaiting a decision on whether or not his next project would receive the greenlight. Well, it looks like things went fairly well, as on Friday he shared a tweet (that has since been taken down) that read, “Weekend: Relax. Monday: Get started on a new movie.”
Toy Story 3 was Lee Unkrich’s first solo directing effort and with the amount of pressure surrounding him to not only continue the untarnished Pixar streak but also the beloved Toy Story franchise, it would not have been difficult to falter. However, he directed an incredible film that had viewers losing count on the amount of tears streaming down their faces. It also went on to become the highest grossing animated film of all-time before becoming only the third animated film ever to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. That is quite a lofty bar Unkrich has set for himself. We clearly know he has the talent to produce a great film (that will include references to his favorite film, The Shining), so I am sitting here in anticipation for his next project.
As to what the film will be about and whether it will be an original film or a sequel, we haven’t got a clue. It’s time for the speculation beast to rear its head.
The unannounced film will likely be in production for about four years, giving it a release date of sometime around 2015 or 2016. With how far away that feels, I think we can develop a greater appreciation of just how much work is put into these Pixar films before the audience ever sees anything from it.
UPDATE (9/27/11): Lee Unkrich has started a blog on tumblr, where he will chronicle the journey of his film (EDIT: The site has been taken down).
Source: Lee Unkrich’s Twitter
