‘Monsters Inc. 3’ in the Works at Pixar, Plus ‘Ono Ghost Market,’ and a Musical

Boo! Pixar is creating a third film in the widespread “Monsters Inc.” franchise.

The project was revealed in a prolonged Wall Street Journal profile that examined the inside workings at Pixar, as the animation studio debuts its latest release, “Hoppers.”

The franchise’s first film, 2001’s “Monsters, Inc.,” operates on the premise that monsters must scare kids to energy the metropolis. The film, directed by now-Pixar chief artistic officer Pete Docter and that includes the voices of John Goodman and Billy Crystal, was a large hit at the box workplace, grossing $528.7 million worldwide. The 2013 prequel, “Monsters University,” helmed by Dan Scanlon, outperformed the authentic with a $743.5 million global tally. The success spawned the sequel collection “Monsters at Work,” which ran for 2 seasons.

It’s not instantly clear who will direct the next big display installment, and plot particulars — including the place in the story’s timeline the action will happen — are being saved under wraps.

In addition to the “Monsters” franchise, Pixar has a few more major sequels in the works, including June’s “Toy Story 5,” which sees Buzz Lightyear and a (balding!) Woody face off against a sensible pill; “The Incredibles 3,” dated for 2028 and helmed by “Elemental” director Peter Sohn; and a second “Coco” film, anticipated to debut in 2029.

But the studio is also taking some big swings on authentic tales, like next yr’s “Gatto,” about a feline thief in Venice. Pixar reportedly pivoted “Ono Ghost Market,” a project impressed by “Asian myths about supernatural bazaars where the living and dead interact,” from a streaming collection to a film. The studio is also creating its first-ever musical, from “Turning Red” director Domee Shi.

As for “Hoppers,” the animal-centric adventure earned $3.2 million in previews, and is projected to earn $35 million to $40 million from 4,000 theaters this weekend.