Pixar is busy getting their next big sequel ready, with the development of Incredibles 3 in full swing. The prospect of another movie about the offbeat family of “supers” is exciting, to say the least, but perhaps the franchise was better off getting a prequel before another sequel.
The upcoming film has no confirmed release date, but it’s set to arrive more than 7–8 years after Incredibles 2 (2018), which itself was a long-overdue sequel to the original movie from way back in 2004. All things considered, Pixar hasn’t pushed this series as aggressively as other IPs like Toy Story, which now has five films, or even Inside Out, which might become a trilogy in a short span of time. As a result, Incredibles 3 must make the most of its opportunity, and reopening its hero’s past could be the way to do it.
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The Incredibles Should Get Another Sequel
Pixar’s super family affair, The Incredibles, should star a super whose normal life puts their heroics at odds with the rest of the family.
Bob Parr’s Origin Story Can Make The Incredibles 3 Interesting
Much of The Incredibles and its sequel focus on Bob Parr’s family life, but the first film’s opening 10 minutes stand out. They offer a brilliant glimpse into who Mr. Incredible was before his marriage to Elastigirl and why the world eventually turned against superheroes. In addition to setting up the rest of the story, this flashback hooks the audience into the lives of these supers, especially Bob’s. It’s hard not to want to see more of Mr. Incredible in his prime.
|
Character |
Mr. Incredible |
|---|---|
|
Real Name |
Robert “Bob” Parr |
|
Voice Actor |
Craig T. Nelson |
|
Powers |
Super strength |
|
Partner |
Helen Parr (Elastagirl) |
|
Children |
Violet, Dash, Jack-Jack |
Two decades have passed since the first film hit screens, yet Pixar still has the perfect opportunity to give fans what they want. Given that the third film was announced recently (in August at the D23 Expo), it’s unlikely that Pixar will take the prequel route. It’s a numbered sequel rather than something like what Monsters University was to Monsters, Inc. or Lightyear to Toy Story. However, there are still ways to organically incorporate Mr. Incredible’s beginnings into Incredibles 3, while still keeping it relevant to the ongoing family drama.
Connecting Mr. Incredible’s Past To His Family’s Future
Both Incredibles movies revolve around the Parr family trying to fit in with the “normal” world while embracing their superpowers and tackling family troubles. The third film could stick to this theme, but with a blast from Mr. Incredible’s past. For instance, Incredibles 3 could take a closer look at Bob’s childhood or teenage years, and what exactly inspired him to use his powers for good. What if he grew up in a regular household where every family member except him was a non-superhero? Now, that’s some serious outcast-to-savior character development.
Meanwhile, in the present, Bob’s three children still have a lot of growing up to do. Violet’s teenage years are nearly over, Dash is probably just starting his, and baby Jack-Jack is essentially an unopened mystery box of powers. Their old man could teach them a thing or two about growing up with superpowers, and complete a meaningful coming-of-age arc. And if all this sounds too sappy, let’s not forget that Lucius Best a.k.a. Frozone would inevitably show up as Bob’s young best friend, with enough panache to balance it all out.
A Prequel Idea For The Incredibles’ Fallen Heroes
The prequel potential is felt heavily in The Incredibles, not just in the opening scenes but in several details throughout the film. As part of Operation Kronos, Syndrome falsely recruits almost every retired superhero, only to pit them against the Omnidroid, leading to their demise.
The secret files in Syndrome’s lair reveal a long list of deceased supers, some of whom seem like excellent candidates for a “glory days” story. This includes heroes like Macroburst and Hypershock, who managed to bring down at least the first version of the Omnidroid they faced. And of course, there’s the legendary Gazerbeam, who not only damaged the droid but also discovered the password to the main computer and carved it (“KRONOS”) on the wall of an underwater cave near where he died.
Incredibles 3 Is A Shot At Redemption For Pixar
So, why is Incredibles 3 such a critical venture for director Brad Bird? The Incredibles 2 may have struck gold at the box-office, but it didn’t quite live up to the magic of the first film. Pixar may share some of this blame for deciding to swap the movie’s release date with Toy Story 4 – removing an entire year off its production timeline. This meant compromising many plotlines and ideas from the final film, as Bird revealed in a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly:
They took a year off our schedule, so if an idea didn’t work quickly, you had to just kill the darling and move onto the next. And I killed like a city full of darlings.
The Incredibles 3 offers Pixar a chance to make amends for the lost potential of the second film. By exploring something deep – like a young Bob Parr’s coming-of-age origins – the studio could also restore its former glory. Films like Wall-E, Up, and Ratatouille weren’t just bright animated adventures. They were some of the most heartfelt stories ever told through the medium – a level of storytelling Pixar has struggled to maintain in recent years. Could Incredibles 3 bring them back to their peak?
