Brad Bird Offers Update on The Incredibles 2, Says Sequel is “Very Actively Moving”

The Incredibles, Brad Bird’s family-friendly 2004 superhero movie, lived up to its title in a big way. The delightful film became Pixar’s first to win multiple Academy Awards, taking home a statue for best sound mixing, and earning Bird a best animated film Oscar. So while the original is undoubtedly a tough act to follow, it’s impossible not to be excited about The Incredibles 2, especially in light of Bird’s recent update on the film, which he says is well on its way.

“It’s very actively moving, and we’re excited about it,” the director told Entertainment Weekly. “[We’re] trying to take it in some new directions.” Pixar is keeping details of the film super-secret for the moment, and Bird refrained from discussing its plot or characters with EW. “I don’t like unwrapping presents before Christmas,” he said, surely betraying his inner child.

But Bird promised that fans of the original film will feel right at home with The Incredibles 2, though the sequel will do more than just ride its predecessor’s coattails (I’d say cape, but NO CAPES). “Hopefully it’s the same characters and feel, but going in a new direction,” Bird said. “I mean, that’s the trick with a sequel. It’s repeating yourself, without repeating yourself.”

For all its understated emotion, infectious fun and slapstick, action-flick shenanigans, The Incredibles was also an interesting comment on superheroes as a part of our popular culture. Considering the torrent of super movies that have been busting blocks over the past decade, Bird and his team have their work cut out for them with The Incredibles 2.

The Incredibles 2 won’t hit theaters until June 21, 2019. We would all do well to revisit the original in the meantime.