USA TODAY International Edition
Unmask secrets of the long- awaited ‘ Incredibles 2’
Long before Iron Man wore his suit and Captain America wielded his shield on the big screen, there was an Oscar- winning animated film about a family of superheroes.
Remember The Incredibles? It had everything we now expect from Marvel- type films, and then some: heart, humor, wit and action mixed with ahead-of- itstime animation, that hilarious cape- hater Edna Mode and a family of super- powered people with relatable problems.
Well, more than a dozen years after the original film made its debut, director Brad Bird finally revealed details about his highly anticipated Incredibles sequel ( out June 15, 2018) at Disney fan convention D23 in Anaheim, Calif.
Here’s what we know about Mr. Incredible/ Bob Parr, Elastigirl/ Helen Parr, Dash, Violet and baby Jack- Jack, before they’re back in theaters:
1 JACK- JACK REVEALS HE HAS MANY MORE POWERS At the end of The Incredibles, we learn that the youngest Parr has many skills, including the ability to shapeshift and turn into fire. But his powers don’t end there.
In an Incredibles 2 clip shared at D23, Jack- Jack has elastic skin and can shoot laser beams from his eyes, walk through walls and multiply at will. The baby used all of those powers in a fight with a raccoon.
2 THERE WILL BE NEW HEROES All of the main Incredibles voice actors, including Samuel L. Jackson ( family friend Frozone), Craig T. Nelson ( Mr. Incredible) and Holly Hunter ( Elastigirl), are returning ( with a new, younger voice for Dash). Also, Bird says, there will be new heroes “with amazing powers that rival the Incredibles.”
3 ELASTIGIRL WILL SEE PLENTY OF ACTION In the first film, Mr. Incredible went off to have his own superhero fun while his wife took care of the kids. This time around, however, “a certain chain of events puts ( Helen) at the forefront of action, while Bob has to stay home to face his biggest challenge yet,” says Bird.
Nelson’s character is dealing with daughter Violet, “a love- stricken girl,” and “Jack- Jack running around and Dash, who’s got his own problems. ( Meanwhile, Elastigirl is) out doing what I think I should be doing. It’s a hard thing to accept that she can do it as well, if not better.”
4 EDNA MODE WILL BE BACK Though Bird didn’t explicitly reveal anything about Mode, the sassy character who constructed the Parr family’s power- specific superhero suits, it’s safe to assume that she’ll appear in the sequel.
Disney/ Pixar animation chief John Lasseter presented a D23 clip about how Mode is a fashion icon, according to real people in the industry.
5 THE STORY PICKS UP RIGHT WHERE IT LEFT OFF Though more than a decade has passed in real time, Incredibles 2 starts right after the Parrs defeated Syndrome in the first movie. Originally, “I thought ( Craig and I) might be grandparents,” Hunter said backstage about voicing Elastigirl. Instead, “the movie starts 45 seconds later. That’s mind- blowing.”
6 THE ANIMATION WILL BE BETTER Bird showed animation tests that reveal a wider range of emotional expressions. Utilizing new animation technology is “like having a better car to drive,” he said. “We’re able to do more.”