Amy Poehler Pushed for Inside Out 2: When Are You Making Another One?
Amy Poehler, the beloved Saturday Night Live alum, has been a driving force behind the creation of Inside Out 2. The original 2015 animated hit, which introduced audiences to the personified emotions inside a young girl’s mind, was a massive success. Poehler, who voiced the character Joy, has been vocal about her desire for a sequel, persistently nudging Pixar executives to bring the story back to life.
“I’ve been bugging Pete Docter [the Chief Creative Officer of Pixar] and the team and just saying, ‘When are you guys going to make another one? When’s that happening?’” Poehler shared with PEOPLE. Her persistence paid off, and Inside Out 2 has not only been made but has also become a box office sensation, recently surpassing Dune: Part Two to become the highest-grossing North American release of 2024.
The sequel continues the story of Riley, now a teenager navigating the tumultuous waters of puberty. New emotions like Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke) and Envy (voiced by Ayo Edebiri) join the familiar faces of Joy (Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), and Anger (Lewis Black). The film delves into the complexities of adolescence, exploring themes of identity, friendship, and self-discovery.
Poehler is particularly proud of how the sequel addresses these universal experiences. “What kind of friend do you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be? What do you care about?” she muses. These questions resonate deeply with audiences of all ages, making Inside Out 2 a film that not only entertains but also sparks meaningful conversations.
Reflecting on her own teenage years, Poehler recalls a mix of anxiety and joy, wrapped up in a Boston accent and adorned with shoulder pads and funky earrings. She relates to Riley’s journey, remembering the sudden shift from carefree childhood to the self-consciousness of adolescence.
Inside Out 2 has been praised for its smart and relatable narrative. Poehler believes that the film’s portrayal of anxiety is particularly impactful. “In the first one, they managed to find a way to remind us that sadness is okay, it’s okay to sit with sadness and just stay there, which is such a beautiful idea,” she explains. “In the second one, anxiety shows up and gets everyone all bothered.”
The film’s creative team, including director Kelsey Mann, aimed to make a meaningful impact with the sequel. Mann hopes that the film will be “helpful” to everyone who watches it, expanding the vocabulary around complicated emotions and encouraging open discussions.
Poehler’s enthusiasm for the project is palpable. She felt a great responsibility to deliver a sequel that lived up to the original. “I just felt really privileged and honored to be part of the first one,” she says. “The journey of winning the Oscar and going around the world and promoting it was so joyous, truly.”
One of the film’s standout elements is its exploration of Riley’s belief system and sense of self. Poehler is impressed by how Pixar visually represents these concepts. “Pixar creates this beautiful visual, it’s almost like these harp strings come out from the bottom of Riley and it’s ‘who am I? What do I care about? Am I a good friend? Do I steal? Do I want to win?’ the stuff that we all start to build in our life,” she explains.
The film also introduces new characters like Embarrassment (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser) and Ennui (voiced by Adèle Exarchopoulos), each adding depth and humor to the story. Poehler praises the creative team’s ability to balance these new elements with the familiar ones, creating a rich and engaging narrative.
Despite the challenges of creating a sequel, Poehler is optimistic about the future of the Inside Out franchise. She believes that there are many more stories to tell as Riley continues to grow and evolve. “It could be as simple as we meet Riley when she’s graduating high school to she’s having her first experience of romantic love,” she suggests.
Inside Out 2 is a testament to the power of persistence and passion. Thanks to Amy Poehler’s unwavering dedication, audiences can once again journey into the colorful and emotional world inside Riley’s mind. The film is now in theaters, ready to entertain and inspire viewers of all ages.
Source: PEOPLE, Yahoo UK
