Following a decent box office performance and wide acclaim, The Wild Robot has officially received the green light for a sequel.
Director Chris Sanders confirmed the news during Deadline Contenders, revealing that a second film is currently in development at DreamWorks Animation. This announcement comes as the animated film crosses $148 million globally (from a reported budget of around $US78 million), marking a modest achievement for the studio. It’s also the type of film that could continue a steady path of success across the digital/home entertainment market.
“100% yes there are absolutely plans for a second one,” Deadline reports that Sanders stated at the event, solidifying the continuation of the beloved robot Roz’s story. The first film, an adaptation of Peter Brown’s bestselling novel, has been widely praised. On Rotten Tomatoes, for example, The Wild Robot has (at the time of writing) an impressive 98% score from both critics and audiences.
Sanders, a three-time Oscar nominee, directed The Wild Robot from a screenplay he also penned. Known for his previous work on How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods, and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Sanders has a proven track record in creating emotionally resonant animated features. The film was produced by Jeff Hermann, whose credits include The Boss Baby 2: Family Business and the Kung Fu Panda franchise.
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The original film features the voice of Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o as ROZZUM unit 7134, affectionately known as “Roz.” The robot finds herself stranded on a remote island, where she learns to adapt to her new environment and forms bonds with the local wildlife, including becoming a mother figure to an orphaned gosling. The story explores themes of survival, self-discovery, and the balance between technology and nature. The film’s voice cast includes Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Stephanie Hsu, and Bill Nighy.
With The Wild Robot being the first instalment of a trilogy, there is ample material for Sanders and his team to explore in future films. The next book in the series, The Wild Robot Escapes, offers a natural continuation of Roz’s story, as she faces new challenges and adventures.
