‘Monsters University’ is Pixar’s 1st Prequel

Ever since “Monsters, Inc.” opened in theaters on Nov. 2, 2001, the team at Pixar Animation Studios knew that Mike, Sulley and the monster world had touched audiences worldwide in a significant way. So the idea of bringing them back to the big screen in “Monsters University” was a welcome one. How to do it, exactly, was another story—literally.

Says executive producer John Lasseter, “When we create an original film at Pixar, by the time we’re done with it, we know the characters—they’re like friends; they’re like family; they’re part of us. It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to characters like that. It’s so much fun to start thinking of new ideas that you can do in a world you already love, but we had to come up with a story that is as good or better than the original.”

To fuel Pixar Animation Studios’ well known collaborative process, the creative leadership team, dubbed “the brain trust,” hosted a brainstorming session, inviting some of Pixar’s best storytellers, including several members of the original “Monsters, Inc.” team. The idea of doing a prequel was certainly appealing to this group. Imagining the backstory for Mike and Sulley—a natural part of the filmmaking process—had been happening since the original film was made.

But filmmakers were well aware of the challenges surrounding prequels. Says co-screenwriter Robert L. Baird, “When the idea came up, we said, ‘Okay, let’s go back through movie history and study all the great prequels.’ Then we realized we couldn’t think of any.”

Explains director Dan Scanlon, “One of the challenges with a prequel is that by definition, everyone knows how the story ends. So it can be difficult to uncover the drama because we already know everything’s going to work out. It’s hard to define those stakes. You have to learn something new about the characters—which we ultimately do in ‘MU.’ We had to push the drama far enough that it almost threatened the way people felt about these characters, while ensuring that when the movie ends, we actually do the opposite by bringing the audience even closer to Mike and Sulley.”

Adds producer Kori Rae. “It can be insanely difficult to make a prequel that isn’t predictable—to create a story with unexpected twists and turns and surprising character arcs. But the storytellers really dug deep and developed details about these characters to make a fun, yet emotional plot that audiences will never see coming.”

According to story supervisor Kelsey Mann, knowing how the story ends actually presented filmmakers with some exciting opportunities. “You may know where they’re going to end up,” says Mann, “but you don’t know how they got there. So it’s the journey that really matters, an idea that ultimately underscores the whole movie.”

Scanlon agrees. “The whole filmmaking process mirrors the path our characters take in this movie. It’s not a straight line from beginning to end—but one filled with dips and peaks, left turns and a lot of rerouting. But—like Mike’s story—it all works out exactly like it should.”

The director tips his hat to his Pixar team. “The collaborative environment here is unique and extremely valuable. I get feedback from some of the most talented people in the industry. I’m not expected to incorporate all of it—or any of it—but I’m better because of it. And so is the film. You better believe I relate to Mike and Sulley’s story.”

Their journey isn’t easy, to be sure, but according to Scanlon—it’s an adventure. “It’s a college movie, a coming-of-age story, so we wanted it to be really fun and capture that experience of self-discovery. We’re definitely going for laughs, but also an emotional story that’s relatable. The most important thing for us is to tell a story that makes people feel good. Maybe someone’s just had some failure in life or feels like a big dream has fallen apart. That person might walk out of the theater feeling that there’s hope—that it happens to everyone. Their dream might have to change course, but it’s not the end of the world.”

Opening across the Philippines on June 26 in Disney Digital 3D, 2D and regular theaters, “Monsters University” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

‘Monsters University’ is Pixar’s 1st Prequel

Meet the Characters of ‘Monsters University’

Meet the monsters who are out to make audiences scream with laughter in Disney/Pixar’s comedy “Monsters University,” the eagerly anticipated sequel to the 2001 blockbuster “Monsters, Inc.”

MIKE WAZOWSKI‘s (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dream is to become a Scarer at Monsters, Inc.—and he’s sure he knows just how to do it. Ever since he was a young monster, Mike’s had his eye on Monsters University, home of the world’s top Scare Program. Now a freshman and hopeful Scare student, he’s well versed in the rich history, theory and technique required to reach his goal, and the little green one-eyed monster has more confidence, enthusiasm, determination and heart than all of his classmates combined. But unexpected roadblocks derail Mike’s plans and he’s forced to team up with a group of misfit monsters and an unlikely ally to give it the old college try and pull off the biggest coup in the University’s history.

JAMES P. SULLIVAN—“SULLEY” (voice of John Goodman). When it comes to Scaring, Sulley’s a natural—his abundant size, fierce roar and family legacy of a long line of high-achieving Scarers make him a shoo-in for the esteemed Scare Program at Monsters University. But from the moment the overly confident monster steps his big furry feet on campus, it’s clear he’d rather crack jokes than books—and he learns the hard way that his unfettered talent and family ties can only get him so far.

RANDY BOGGS (voice of Steve Buscemi). Freshman Randy Boggs has big aspirations for college life. The peculiar lizard-like monster with his host of gangly arms and legs plans to major in Scaring and lead an active social life filled with fun, friends and fraternity parties. If only he could get his embarrassing disappearing habit under control, he’d be good to go, because how is he ever going to be a great Scarer if nobody can see him?

DON CARLTON (voice of Joel Murray). Faced with the realities of the economic downturn, Midwestern sales monster Don Carlton finds himself going back to school to learn new skills and pursue a dream career in Scaring. One of the university’s “mature” students and a founding member of the Oozma Kappa fraternity, Don brings his honest hardworking spirit to their endeavors, ensuring that his fellow brothers keep their various heads on straight and their array of eyes on the task at hands.

SCOTT “SQUISHY” SQUIBBLES (voice of Pete Sohn) gives new meaning to the term “undeclared.” A sophomore whose dream of becoming a Scarer was squashed in his first year, “Squishy” is a bit of a wide-eyed wanderer—small, sweet, naïve and quiet—who, not surprisingly, still lives with his doting mother. But with a little help from his Oozma Kappa brothers, Squishy begins to realize he’s more than just that shy monster in the corner.

ART (voice of Charlie Day). The ultimate free spirit, Art is a mysterious monster with a questionable background. By far the strangest member of the Oozma Kappas, Art bowls over the competition—sometimes literally—with his unique dexterity and wild-card ways. Nothing is scarier than the unpredictable, especially when it comes to this furry ball of bad.

TERRI & TERRY PERRY (voices of Dave Foley & Sean Hayes). When it comes to Terri and Terry, it’s hard not to ask, “Are two heads really better than one?” These bickering brothers have little in common: Terri with an “i” is a real romantic who’s quick to spot the silver lining in any situation, while older brother Terry with a “y” sports a more cynical outlook on life. If they can stop squabbling long enough to work with their Oozma Kappa brothers—they might be able to put their heads together—literally—and find their place in the university’s Scare Program once and for all.

DEAN HARDSCRABBLE (voice of Helen Mirren). To her, there are scary monsters and there are all other monsters. It’s no surprise she feels this way—she is, after all, a legendary Scarer and Dean of the School of Scaring at Monsters University. Aspiring Scare students must be up for the challenge to impress her, though she is convinced that her assessment of who is truly scary and who is not is never wrong.

PROFESSOR KNIGHT (voice of Alfred Molina) teaches Scaring 101, the introductory course to Scaring at Monsters University. With hundreds of new Scare students each year, he must weed out the weak from the talented and identify who shows the most potential to be real Scarers. Only a few have what it takes to pass the formidable final exam and move on to the elite Scaring Program.

Opening across the Philippines on June 26 in Disney Digital 3D, 2D and regular theaters, “Monsters University” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Meet the Characters of ‘Monsters University’

Meet the monsters of Disney/Pixar’s comedy “Monsters University”!

Meet the monsters who are out to make audiences scream with laughter in Disney/Pixar’s comedy “Monsters University,” the eagerly anticipated sequel to the 2001 blockbuster “Monsters, Inc.”

MIKE WAZOWSKI’s (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dream is to become a Scarer at Monsters, Inc.—and he’s sure he knows just how to do it. Ever since he was a young monster, Mike’s had his eye on Monsters University, home of the world’s top Scare Program. Now a freshman and hopeful Scare student, he’s well versed in the rich history, theory and technique required to reach his goal, and the little green one-eyed monster has more confidence, enthusiasm, determination and heart than all of his classmates combined. But unexpected roadblocks derail Mike’s plans and he’s forced to team up with a group of misfit monsters and an unlikely ally to give it the old college try and pull off the biggest coup in the University’s history.

JAMES P. SULLIVAN—“SULLEY” (voice of John Goodman). When it comes to Scaring, Sulley’s a natural—his abundant size, fierce roar and family legacy of a long line of high-achieving Scarers make him a shoo-in for the esteemed Scare Program at Monsters University. But from the moment the overly confident monster steps his big furry feet on campus, it’s clear he’d rather crack jokes than books—and he learns the hard way that his unfettered talent and family ties can only get him so far.

RANDY BOGGS (voice of Steve Buscemi). Freshman Randy Boggs has big aspirations for college life. The peculiar lizard-like monster with his host of gangly arms and legs plans to major in Scaring and lead an active social life filled with fun, friends and fraternity parties. If only he could get his embarrassing disappearing habit under control, he’d be good to go, because how is he ever going to be a great Scarer if nobody can see him?

DON CARLTON (voice of Joel Murray). Faced with the realities of the economic downturn, Midwestern sales monster Don Carlton finds himself going back to school to learn new skills and pursue a dream career in Scaring. One of the university’s “mature” students and a founding member of the Oozma Kappa fraternity, Don brings his honest hardworking spirit to their endeavors, ensuring that his fellow brothers keep their various heads on straight and their array of eyes on the task at hands.

SCOTT “SQUISHY” SQUIBBLES (voice of Pete Sohn) gives new meaning to the term “undeclared.” A sophomore whose dream of becoming a Scarer was squashed in his first year, “Squishy” is a bit of a wide-eyed wanderer—small, sweet, naïve and quiet—who, not surprisingly, still lives with his doting mother. But with a little help from his Oozma Kappa brothers, Squishy begins to realize he’s more than just that shy monster in the corner.

ART (voice of Charlie Day). The ultimate free spirit, Art is a mysterious monster with a questionable background. By far the strangest member of the Oozma Kappas, Art bowls over the competition—sometimes literally—with his unique dexterity and wild-card ways. Nothing is scarier than the unpredictable, especially when it comes to this furry ball of bad.

TERRI & TERRY PERRY (voices of Dave Foley & Sean Hayes). When it comes to Terri and Terry, it’s hard not to ask, “Are two heads really better than one?” These bickering brothers have little in common: Terri with an “i” is a real romantic who’s quick to spot the silver lining in any situation, while older brother Terry with a “y” sports a more cynical outlook on life. If they can stop squabbling long enough to work with their Oozma Kappa brothers—they might be able to put their heads together—literally—and find their place in the university’s Scare Program once and for all.

DEAN HARDSCRABBLE (voice of Helen Mirren). To her, there are scary monsters and there are all other monsters. It’s no surprise she feels this way—she is, after all, a legendary Scarer and Dean of the School of Scaring at Monsters University. Aspiring Scare students must be up for the challenge to impress her, though she is convinced that her assessment of who is truly scary and who is not is never wrong.

PROFESSOR KNIGHT (voice of Alfred Molina) teaches Scaring 101, the introductory course to Scaring at Monsters University. With hundreds of new Scare students each year, he must weed out the weak from the talented and identify who shows the most potential to be real Scarers. Only a few have what it takes to pass the formidable final exam and move on to the elite Scaring Program.

Opening across the Philippines on June 26 in Disney Digital 3D, 2D and regular theaters, “Monsters University” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

 

Meet the monsters of Disney/Pixar’s comedy “Monsters University”!