Following the massive success of the animated film 'The Wild Robot' fronted by Lupita Nyong'o, a follow-up story is officially in the works at DreamWorks Animation.
- Oct 12, 2024
AceShowbiz - In an exciting announcement for animation lovers, DreamWorks Animation has confirmed that a sequel to "The Wild Robot" is in development after the film surpassed $100 million in global box office earnings last weekend. The news was confirmed by the film's director, Chris Sanders, during a session at Deadline Contenders in London.
"The Wild Robot", based on Peter Brown's award-winning bestseller, follows the story of ROZZUM unit 7134, also known as "Roz," a robot who is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. Voiced by Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o, Roz must adapt to her harsh surroundings, build relationships with the island's animals, and become the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.
Sanders, no stranger to animated success with credits including "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Lilo & Stitch", directed and wrote the screenplay for the film. He revealed that the core inspiration behind centering the theme of kindness came from a discussion with author Peter Brown.
"The thing that was on Brown's mind, the guiding principle, was the idea that kindness could be a survival skill," Sanders said. "I immediately jotted that down and thought, 'Okay, we need to get that up on screen, for sure.' "
Lupita Nyong'o, whose vocal performance captures the essence of Roz, shared her unique inspiration for the role. "I was inspired by AI voices like Alexa and Siri," Nyong'o explained. "Alexa, Siri, and, you know, those voices on TikTok and Instagram that are so positive and nothing's ever wrong. That sort of can-do attitude. That was the starting point for Roz and her journey to self-actualization and evolution of self-expression."
The film's composer, Kris Bowers, also reflected on his enriching experience working alongside Sanders. "It was amazing to get really detailed with orchestration and all those things so that the music continued to evolve in every moment," Bowers said. He described the collaboration as akin to watching esteemed composer John Williams work directly with Steven Spielberg, which has always been a dream scenario for him.
With a stellar voice cast including Pedro Pascal, Catherine O'Hara, Stephanie Hsu, and Bill Nighy, and strong storytelling, it's no wonder that "The Wild Robot" has captured hearts and box office dollars. The confirmation of a sequel promises more adventures and heartwarming lessons for Roz and her newfound family. Universal/DreamWorks Animation launched the film earlier this month, and fans eagerly await more details on the continuing saga.