Inside Out 2 Revives Pixar's Time-Honored Tradition after a 4-Year Hiatus

Inside Out 2 Revives Pixar's Time-Honored Tradition after a 4-Year Hiatus

Discover which beloved voice actor makes a comeback in Inside Out 2, reigniting the essence of the original film.

Pixar's upcoming film, Inside Out 2, reveals the new emotions Riley must face and brings back a familiar character. After focusing on sequels like Finding Dory and Incredibles 2, Pixar has recently shifted back to original projects. While some, like Soul in 2020, received praise, others like Elemental did not meet expectations.

Despite Pixar's history of creating beloved films like Monsters, Inc., not every movie can be a hit. However, their latest sequel, Inside Out 2, appears to be a promising return to form. Set years after the original, the teenage Riley (played by Kensington Tallma) navigates the challenges of new emotions that come with making friends. The trailer introduces four new emotions, including Embarrassment and Anxiety (played by Paul Walter Hauser and Maya Hawke).

Inside Out 2 Confirms John Ratzenberger's Return To Pixar Movie Roles

Ratzenberger has been missing from Pixar since Onward

John Ratzenberger voices Fritz the Mind Worker in Inside Out 2's trailer - Ratzenberger has been missing from Pixar since Onward - Inside Out 2 Confirms John Ratzenberger's Return To Pixar Movie Roles

John Ratzenberger voices Fritz the Mind Worker in Inside Out 2's trailer - Ratzenberger has been missing from Pixar since Onward - Inside Out 2 Confirms John Ratzenberger's Return To Pixar Movie Roles

Pixar has hidden many easter eggs in their movies, and one fun tradition was having actor John Ratzenberger make an appearance in all of them. He was a great fit for the character Hamm in Toy Story, a role he continued to play in each sequel. From then on, a cameo by Ratzenberger became a special symbol of good luck for Pixar. He has taken on various supporting roles in their films, even if they were just brief appearances.

However, Ratzenberger is making a comeback as Fritz in Inside Out 2, which is his first voice role in a Pixar production since Onward in 2020.

Despite missing out on recent Pixar films like Luca and Turning Red, Ratzenberger did have a silent appearance in Soul, where a background character was designed to look like him. It remains unclear why Ratzenberger was absent from the studio's recent projects, but there were no indications of any issues between the actor and Pixar. In fact, he did return to voice Yeti in the 2021 animated TV series Monsters at Work.

Why John Ratzenberger's Inside Out 2 Cameo Is So Exciting

John Ratzenberger cameo in Soul - Why John Ratzenberger's Inside Out 2 Cameo Is So Exciting

John Ratzenberger cameo in Soul - Why John Ratzenberger's Inside Out 2 Cameo Is So Exciting

John Ratzenberger cameo in Soul

Every Pixar Movie Without A John Ratzenberger Cameo

Release Year

Soul

2020

Luca

2021

Turning Red

2022

Lightyear

2022

Elemental

2023

John Ratzenberger reprising his role as Fritz for Inside Out 2 is fantastic news, even if it's likely just a brief appearance. In the first Inside Out film, Fritz played the role of a Mind Worker who upgraded Riley's emotion console in the final scenes. Hearing his unique voice in another Pixar movie is always a comforting experience. This comeback also hints that we may see him in future Pixar films like Elio or Toy Story 5.

Editor's P/S:

Pixar's "Inside Out 2" promises to be an emotional journey as Riley faces new challenges and emotions. The return of John Ratzenberger, known for his iconic cameos in Pixar films, is an exciting addition. His presence evokes a sense of familiarity and nostalgia, further enhancing the anticipation for this highly awaited sequel.

Ratzenberger's absence from recent Pixar projects had left fans wondering about his future with the studio. His return in "Inside Out 2" suggests that the actor and Pixar maintain a strong relationship. This cameo not only delights Ratzenberger's loyal fans but also serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Pixar's beloved characters and voice cast.