(Image: Pixar)
In late March, The Wall Street Journal reported that Pixar is developing a third "Monsters, Inc." film—a proper sequel to the original. However, this isn't the first time a follow-up has been in the works; Disney Pictures actually initiated a similar project over two decades ago. At the time, Disney had established an animation studio called Circle 7 Animation specifically to produce sequels to Pixar films, and "Monsters, Inc. 2" was one of its key projects.
Recently, the screenwriting duo behind Disney's "Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue," Rob Muir and Bob Hilgenberg, spoke in an interview about the original plot they conceived for "Monsters, Inc. 2" and the behind-the-scenes story of why it never came to be.
(Image: Pixar)
Muir and Hilgenberg recalled that the sequel was titled "Monsters, Inc.: Lost in Scaradise." The story would have found Mike Wazowski preparing for his wedding while Sulley had just received a promotion at the company, and Boo was now a bit older. One day, Mike and Sulley plan to visit Boo to celebrate her birthday, but when they step through her old closet door, they discover her family has long since moved out, finding an old woman in her bed instead. In their search for Boo, Mike and Sulley become trapped in the human world and must find a way back to Monstropolis in time for Mike's wedding.
Ultimately, Disney decided to shut down Circle 7 Animation and instead acquire Pixar outright, leading to the cancellation of "Lost in Scaradise" and several other planned sequels. Muir and Hilgenberg admitted they were very pleased with the script and had poured a lot of passion into it. However, it remains unknown whether Pixar's currently developing "Monsters, Inc." sequel will use or adapt any elements from this original version.