Why Disney Canceled The Meet The Robinsons Sequel

When discussing the movies of Walt Disney Animation Studios from the twenty first century, “Meet the Robinsons” is commonly neglected. That may be a disgrace, as a result of it is likely one of the studio’s most underrated movies, telling a honest sci-fi coming-of-age story stuffed with equal components laughter and thoughtfulness. Though the movie was a field workplace disappointment, grossing $170.5 million over a funds of $150 million, it obtained usually constructive opinions from critics. It has additionally garnered some notoriety on-line, with followers of the movie who had been youngsters when it hit theaters 18 years in the past, now revisiting it and in some circumstances, sharing it with their youngsters.

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“Meet the Robinsons” showcased an thrilling sci-fi world, and given its outstanding use of time journey, utilized intelligent story mechanics to discover totally different eras in time, notably the 12 months 2037, which, *gulp,* we’re nearer to now than we’re to 2007. Implementing time journey into the script successfully explored the private and emotional journeys of the movie’s protagonist Lewis (Jordan Fry), and the antagonist, the Bowler Hat Man (Stephen Anderson). It additionally performed properly for some nice laughs, with one of many movie’s extra memorable sequences showcasing the Bowler Hat Man’s childhood recollections as Lewis’ roommate, Goob, who, similar to Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) in “Cobra Kai,” by no means obtained over his devastating loss in a make-or-break-it occasion, a lot so, that he would carry that resentment properly into maturity. This results in the ever-so memeable and oh-so relatable second wherein Goob walks by way of his college’s hallway in comical self-pity, snubbing his classmates’ compliments and invites, along with his grownup self reflecting by way of voiceover, “All of them hated me.” To today, no second in an animated Disney movie has made my adolescent self really feel extra seen.

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Regardless of ending on a narratively satisfying observe, “Meet the Robinsons” simply left the door open for additional enlargement, because of its slew of memorable characters and strong worldbuilding. Sadly, though a direct-to-video sequel was in growth, it by no means took flight, which is disappointing given the ripe potential the movie left for brand new tales.

Within the late Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s, Disneytoon Studios produced direct-to-video sequels to a few of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ theatrical releases. A few of these sequels had been primarily based on the Disney Renaissance period of movies, together with “Magnificence and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King,” in addition to movies following that period, resembling “The Emperor’s New Groove,” “Lilo and Sew,” and “Brother Bear.” In keeping with Jim Hill Media, quite a few sequels had been in growth at Disneytoon Studios, together with “Dumbo II,” “Rooster Little: The Ugly Duckling Story,” and naturally, “Meet the Robinsons 2: First Date.”

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Nevertheless, The Walt Disney Firm acquired Pixar Animation Studios in 2006 for $7.6 billion. Together with the acquisition got here the promotion of “Toy Story” director John Lasseter as Chief Artistic Officer of each Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. One in all Lasseter’s notable choices was to cancel Disneytoon’s direct-to-video sequels that had been in growth on the time, claiming that such movies had devalued the repute of Disney’s animated catalog. And with that, “Meet the Robinsons 2: First Date” would by no means see the sunshine of day, and Disneytoon itself would shut down in 2018.

Though Disney has lengthy retired its direct-to-video sequels, the rise of Disney+ leaves a door open for additional enlargement of a few of its mental properties. TV reveals primarily based on “Star Wars” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe have served as anchors for the streaming service, however a lot of the platform’s success is predicated on youngsters viewing the animated catalog. Positive, the primary “Moana” was critically and commercially profitable in its preliminary theatrical run, however Disney+ was the place the movie gained a good greater lifetime of its personal, turning into the most-streamed film of all time, sustaining the highest spot from 2020 to 2024.

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Clearly, “Meet the Robinsons” shouldn’t be almost as in style as “Moana,” but when extra followers who watched the movie as youngsters introduce it to their children at the moment, maybe curiosity will probably be renewed. A theatrical sequel is probably going out of the query, given the unique movie’s low field workplace returns, however a tv collection specializing in the additional adventures of Lewis and his innovations, or maybe a collection set in 2037 and past, highlighting the futuristic lives of the Robinson household could be an ideal story to inform. Above all, it could even be nice to see the brand new grownup model of Goob, provided that Lewis did him a strong by waking him as much as catch the successful ball at his Little League championship, stopping him from his cursed path of turning into the Bowler Hat Man.

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