Monsters, Inc. Crosses $500 Million at Box Office -- 2nd Biggest Animated Film of All Time

Disney/Pixar's "Monsters, Inc." Crosses $500 Million at Box Office -- Second Biggest Animated Film of All Time

Disney/Pixar Announce Next Three Films

"Monsters, Inc.," A Walt Disney Pictures presentation of A Pixar Animation Studios Film, has soared past the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office to become the second highest grossing animated film of all-time (behind only Disney's "The Lion King"). "Monsters, Inc.'s" blockbuster performance of $504 million to date is comprised of $253 million in domestic box office receipts and $251.2 million in international box office receipts, where it has set records in Japan ($59.1 million, the most successful U.S. animated film ever), England ($53 million), Mexico ($20.1 million) and Spain ($13.5 million). "Monsters, Inc.," created at Pixar's Northern California studios, was directed by Pete Docter and produced by Darla K. Anderson.

Following the tremendous success of "Monsters, Inc.," Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios today announced their next three films:

First up is "Finding Nemo." Set for release in summer 2003, "Finding Nemo" is being written and directed by Academy Award®-nominee Andrew Stanton, who served as co-director and co-screenwriter of the 1998 hit "A Bug's Life" and was co-screenwriter of "Toy Story," "Toy Story 2" and "Monsters, Inc." "Finding Nemo," a visually stunning underwater adventure, follows the comedic and eventful journeys of two fish -- a father and his son Nemo -- who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef.

© Disney
Finding Nemo

Albert Brooks provides the voice of Nemo's fretful father who risks life and fin to find his son. Newcomer Alexander Gould is heard as the adventurous young Nemo. Ellen DeGeneres voices Dory, a forgetful but relentlessly optimistic companion that father meets during his travels. Willem Dafoe lends his voice to Gill, a tough-talking maverick who befriends and looks after the stray Nemo. Geoffrey Rush voices Nigel, a peculiar pelican with a soft spot for all species except seagulls, and Barry Humphries gives a biting performance as a "vegetarian" great white shark.

For the 2004 holiday season, Pixar is currently in production on "The Incredibles," a fantastic new action-adventure comedy from acclaimed director Brad Bird ("The Iron Giant"). In this clever comedy, a family of undercover superheroes, struggling to live a quiet suburban life, is forced into action to save the world.

Pixar's Executive Vice President of Creative and two-time Academy Award®-winning director John Lasseter is the Executive Producer for both "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles."

For holiday 2005, Pixar is in production on "Cars," with John Lasseter returning to the director's chair to helm his fourth film. A high-octane adventure comedy, "Cars" features a wide assortment of cars as characters that get their kicks on Route 66.

Commenting on the announcement, Dick Cook, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said, "'Monsters, Inc.' has been an extraordinary success all over the world and we are extremely proud that it has become the second most popular animated film of all time. We're looking forward to continuing our close association with Pixar on these three upcoming films."

Steve Jobs, Chairman and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios, added, "We are thrilled that 'Monsters, Inc.' has become our most successful film to date, and are equally excited about our upcoming three films."

Thomas Schumacher, President of Walt Disney Feature Animation, noted, "In addition to their great artistry and cutting edge technology, Pixar has a unique ability to create films with tremendous heart and humor. Working with John Lasseter and all of the creative geniuses at Pixar on the past four films has been a wonderful experience."

John Lasseter concluded, "Pete Docter has done such an amazing job with 'Monsters, Inc.' and it is enormously rewarding to see the film find such acceptance worldwide. Everyone at Pixar is equally excited about Andrew Stanton's film, 'Finding Nemo,' Brad Bird's film, 'The Incredibles,' and my new film, 'Cars.' Pixar is a great environment for filmmakers and we love telling stories that add joy and entertainment to moviegoers everywhere."

About Walt Disney Feature Animation
Walt Disney Feature Animation is a division of The Walt Disney Studios, which has created and produced the most successful animated films of all time. Walt Disney Studios is a unit of the Walt Disney Company, the world's foremost family entertainment company engaged in animated and live-parks and resorts; character merchandise licensing; consumer products retailing; and book, magazine and music publishing.

About Pixar Animation Studios
Pixar Animation Studios combines creative and technical artistry to create original stories in the medium of computer animation. In partnership with Disney, Pixar has created four of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time: Academy Award®-winning Toy Story (1995); A Bug's Life (1998); Golden Globe-winner Toy Story 2 (1999); and the Academy Award®-winning Monsters, Inc. (2001). Pixar's four films have earned more than $1.7 billion at the worldwide box office to date. The Northern California studios' next three film releases are Finding Nemo (summer 2003), The Incredibles (holiday 2004) and Cars (holiday 2005).

--Posted April 22, 2002

Formatted: LaughingPlace.com
Source: Disney / Pixar Press Release