Kelsey Mann joined Pixar in recent years, working on the studio’s 2013 hit Monsters University. He was appointed Story Supervisor on the film, quite a feat for his first official gig at Pixar. Then he was handed the responsibility of directing Party Central, a Monsters University short that is playing in theaters now with Muppets Most Wanted. I had the chance to speak with him about the short – read what I learned from him about the short and the studio after the break!
The Pixar Perspective on Franchise Extensions
In the last couple weeks, Pixar Animation Studios has unveiled—or had Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger do so—a few hints as to the future of its continuing franchises. (This, of course, because even Pixar has proven unable, ever since Toy Story 2 opened in 1999, to end any of its stories definitively, from Toy Story to Finding Nemo and onward.) Earlier in the month, it was revealed that there would be a new short from the world of Cars featuring most of the original characters, including Lightning McQueen and Mater; last weekend, the newest Muppet movie, Muppets Most Wanted, had a Monsters University short attached to its release; and the biggest news of all came last: sometime in the near future, there will be a third Cars film and a second Incredibles film.
‘Monsters University’ Short ‘Party Central’ Gets A Poster and New Clip
We are now less than two weeks away from the premiere of the new Monsters University short, Party Central, which is set to play with Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted. Originally scheduled to release with Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur this summer, the short was moved up after the dinosaur film was pushed to next year. This move is actually good for Party Central, as it is closer in proximity now to last summer’s MU, and the film is still somewhat fresh in viewers’ minds. Today, a new poster and clip for the short was released – view them both after the break!
Watch A Clip From ‘Monsters University’ Short ‘Party Central’
With the recent release of Monsters University on Blu-ray and DVD, you might think that Pixar would be done with the franchise for the near future. However, the studio announced at last summer’s D23 Expo that a new short, Party Central, starring Mike and Sulley in their college years would be arriving soon! Those in attendance at the Disney convention had the opportunity to view the entire thing, and now you can take a peek at a clip from the short after the break!
New ‘Monsters University’ Short Arriving In March
At the D23 Expo, Disney and Pixar screened a short entitled Party Central that is essentially a spinoff of Monsters University. It was scheduled to bow in theaters with The Good Dinosaur, which was set to be Pixar’s next feature film. However, after the delay of the dinosaur film, the release of Party Central was up in the air. However, the short had been completed and waiting until 2015 to release it did not make sense. Today, we have found out that the short is coming, and it is sooner than you think.
D23 Expo: Review – ‘Monsters University’ Short ‘Party Central’
You just never know what you’ll see at Disney’s D23 Expo. The gathering has become known for its early peeks and surprise screenings of the latest and greatest Disney has to offer. This year was no exception. Before unveiling early glimpses of next year’s The Good Dinosaur and 2015’s Inside Out, John Lasseter had a special surprise for attendees of the Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios arena presentation. Expo-goers were treated to a full screening of the new Pixar short Party Central. Mike’s New Car (2002), a short attached to the Monsters, Inc. DVD, was the first extension of a Pixar feature film. Party Central continues that tradition almost 11 years later, as this latest toon takes place in the world of Monsters University. Check out my review after the break!
D23 Expo: ‘Monsters University’ Short Announced, Will Be Attached To ‘The Good Dinosaur’
Following the release of Toy Story 3, many were fully satisfied by the conclusion to Andy’s story. The Pixar team, though, found a way to continue telling stories involving the great cast of toys without treading on the footsteps of the trilogy. Three Toy Story Toons have been released in theaters so far and have delighted fans with more heartwarming moments and humor. Pixar has now decided to extend the world of Monsters University into shorts, with the first one playing alongside The Good Dinosaur next year. Find more details after the break!
