Finding Nemo was, for us anyway, the greatest film Pixar ever made - hands down.
Sure, you had your Toy Story and you had Inside Out, but Finding Nemo will always be the first in our hearts. It's not just because of Al Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres' incredible work as Marlin and Dory, the spectacular visuals of life under the sea, the super-scary sharks (one of whom was voiced by Eric Bana and the other Dame Edna Everidge) or even the turtles (CRUSH) - it was the heart and story of it all.
At this weekend's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, Disney began presenting their upcoming slate and dropping tons of details about their releases, including Finding Dory, Toy Story 4 and The Incredibles 2 as well as Zootopia, The Good Dinosaur and Moana.
The big reveal, however, was Finding Dory's first official image and a ton of details on the cast.
SO FIRST OFF, WHAT'S FINDING DORY ALL ABOUT?
As you'd expect, the story's in the title. Pixar simply put it themselves that at the end of Finding Nemo, were they convinced that Dory wouldn't get lost again somehow? And from that, the genus of the story began. This time around, Dory sets off for a faraway land known as Monterey, California in search of her parents and her own past. Along the way, Dory meets a misguided beluga whale, an angry old octopus named Hank, a kind-hearted whale shark who thinks she's a whale and, of course, her parents.
AND WHO'S VOICING WHO?
Ed O'Neill, who you'll known as Jay from Modern Family - or Al Bundy from Married With Children if you're over 25 - will voice Hank, the cantankerous old octopus seen in the first official image. Fellow Modern Family castmember Ty Burrell plays a flighty, hippy-ish beluga whale named Bailey. Meanwhile, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Kaitlin Olson, better known as Dee Reynolds, plays a kind-hearted whale shark who's trying to play up the whale part and bury the shark part. Meanwhile, screen legends Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy will voice Dory's parents whilst Al Brooks is returning as Marlin the clownfish.
WHO'S DIRECTING?
Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane are directing. Stanton directed the first one and the unfairly-maligned John Carter from a few years ago whereas Angus MacLane did the Toy Story of Terror short from a while back. Simply put, they're two Pixar regulars and bringing Stanton back to direct the sequel is definitely a good sign.
IS THIS NOT A BIT, WELL, POINTLESS?
Some of the fan reaction online has been a little cool. The same goes for Toy Story 4. Simply put, it's whatever you're into. The way we see it, Finding Nemo finished a hopeful note - but necessarily one that was a complete ending, if you like. Let's look at Toy Story 3. THAT was an ending. That finished on the perfect note and wrapped up everything in a heartfelt, emotional way. Much like Andy, we could move on with our lives and look back fondly. Finding Dory, we think, has the potential to explore other areas. It's a big ocean, after all, and Dory was a character that wasn't developed all that much beyond her forgetfulness.
There's plenty more to explore and, to be honest, it's doubtful they'd be moving this into production if they didn't have a solid story worked up and something to back it all. The sheer cost of animation alone, as well as meeting the quotes for Ellen DeGeneres - who, let's face it, doesn't need the work - is going to be huge. And plus, as well, none of the original actors would have signed on unless it was worth doing a sequel. Al Brooks has a pretty damn good radar for finding incisive, affecting work. What? The Simpsons Movie? Shut up.
OK, I'M IN - WHEN'S IT OUT AND WHEN'S THE FIRST TRAILER?
It's not due in cinemas until June 17th, 2016 so we're a while away yet. Our best guess is that the first trailer will be attached to The Good Dinosaur, which is due for release towards the end of this year. You can see the first official image below, however, to tie you over in the meantime.
The more eagle-eyed amongst you might spot someone on the wall behind Dory. Is that... DARLA?
Calming ocean, calming ocean.... calming ocean...