Monsters University Forum

We've been eagerly awaiting news for a while now on the status of Pixar's much-referenced upcoming Monsters, Inc sequel, beyond the notion that yes, it does exist, and will probably come out next year. Finally, we have some concrete information out of this year's CinemaCon directly from Disney exec Dave Hollis, who let it be known that the movie's title is now Monsters University, and that it is a prequel to the first film.
 
Says Hollis, via the original story on EW:

“The film is a prequel that tells you a little bit about how [Mike and Sully] first met, attending Monsters University,” Hollis told theater owners gathered in Las Vegas on Tuesday for their annual CinemaCon convention. “Obviously everybody knows at this point Mike and Sully are amazing friends — the best of friends — but as it turns out, in this story, that wasn’t always the case. From the moment they met at university, they could not stand each other. This story takes you through the ups and downs, and how they overcame their own differences.”

 
Kinda loving this idea. Much as I adore Boo and some of the peripheral characters from the first film, one thing we've learned over the years is that when Pixar digs into a specific genre, they do it exceptionally well. And honestly, who wouldn't love to see them dig deep into the hallowed ground of the college comedy? It's a territory ripe for plundering. Looking forward to the throwaway shot of Sulley's dorm room, with a poster of a John Belushi-esque monster wearing a "monster college" sweatshirt hanging on the wall. 
 
Worth noting that this and Pixar's new, original project, Brave, will be hitting next year. Cars 2 looks to be the only Pixar love we'll be getting in 2011. So, hey, if you're, like, any other animated film in 2011, congratulations, you actually have a shot at next year's Best Animated Feature Oscar.
 
(Thanks to Onlineatron for the tip)

Same here. I'm kinda loving this.

I am disappointed at the lack of boo. But sure...i guess i will see how it turns out

I think it could end up really bad, or really good. Bad because the lack of boo means there might not be an emotional connection to the film like in the first one. It could be good because it could take the world into a whole new direction, I just hope it isnt a tale about enemies becoming friends because of some conspiracy they uncover or some other kind of crisis. 

Looking forward to this much more than Cars 2.

I'm glad they decided to go this route, I didn't really see anywhere for the plot to go after the end of the first film since it ended on such a good note; the further adventures of Mike and Sully would have seemed pretty tacked on. A Pixar college comedy sounds amazing though.

Excited.
 
If Pixar spoof college flicks in the same way Toy Story 3 did prison films, then this could be great!   
 
Brave is equally as interesting, if not more so. It seems to be the pet project, something more Ghibli-esque. Cars 2 and Monsters U seem to be here to appease the white gloved hand of overlord Disney, whereas Brave looks original, unique and has UP levels of promise.  

So glad they went the prequel route! I didn't want to see Boo all grown up. And with Pete Docter directing (according to iMDB) I'm sure this'll turn out awesome!

I kind of wanted them to go the pre-Disney feud route and make it about having the monsters using laughter, but whatever. Pixar has never made a terrible movie. Maybe mediocre or disappointing but never terrible.

Enjoy this direction.  Seeing monsters trying to make kids laugh is not interesting.

Sounds interesting. I'm a big fan of the classic College movie flicks. I'm sure Pixar will stick to their regular quality.

Whaaaat the helllll? After the way the first one ended this is the route you go? 
 
That said, this is going to probably be awesome and I hate Cars 2

As much as I love Pixar, this plot feels like it's been done a hundred times before. Hopefully they'll do something interesting with it.

That sounds incredibly appealing to me. 
 
Are Johnathan Goodmen and William Crystals on board though?

Wait wait wait wait...
You're writing a prequel...
where the main characters...
weren't always the best of friends?
 
get out.

@KingOfIceland: Indeed they are:  http://bit.ly/gzQAru 
 
'  Both Crystal and Goodman will return as the main characters'

@onlineatron said:

" @KingOfIceland: Indeed they are:  http://bit.ly/gzQAru  '  Both Crystal and Goodman will return as the main characters' "

Great, now I'm all the way sold.

While the potential for Boo growing up a la Toy Story 3 could have been amazing, I would still like to see this very much.

Monsters Inc. is pretty much the best Pixar movie. Try to tell me otherwise. 

@Milkman said:

" Monsters Inc. is pretty much the best Pixar movie. Try to tell me otherwise.  "

Finding Nemo.