Walt Disney animation has announced a sequel to Wreck-It Ralph dated for March 9, 2018. Jon C. Reilly will return to voice the titular protagonist, Ralph. Also returning is director Rich Moore. Phil Johnston, who co-wrote the first film with Jim Reardon, will return to pen the sequel (and co-direct with Moore).
The announcement was made moments ago during a Facebook Live Stream on the official Disney Facebook page.
No word yet on whether Reilly's co-stars, Sarah Silverman (Vanellope von Schweet), Jack McBrayer (Fix-It Felix, Jr.) and Jane Lynch (Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun) will also be returning for the sequel.
The first film centered around video game villain, Wreck-It Ralph and his desire to play the hero instead of the villain. A resident of Litwak's Family Fun Center & Arcade, Rich Moore's video game-centric animated feature showcased what those video game characters secretly did once Litwak closed for the night. The film featured numerous cameos from iconic video game characters whose games were also housed at Litwak. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted Ken & Ryu from Street Fighter, Doctor Eggman from Sonic the Hedgehog, Neff from Altered Beast and Aerith from Final Fantasy VII among others.
In the four years since the first film's release Moore has previously stated that a sequel could focus on the existence of multiple Ralphs as the first film centered on the single character located at Litwak. Surely there are more copies of Fix-It Felix, Jr. located in other arcades? Reilly pretty much confirmed this development during the Live Stream, stating, "[Ralph] leaves the arcade and wrecks the Internet. ... What could go wrong?" The director also indicated that he'd had discussions with Nintendo about the possibility of Mario featuring prominently in the next installment.
UPDATE: An official Press Release from Disney has confirmed Sarah Silverman.
BURBANK, Calif. (June 30, 2016) – Wreck-It Ralph is heading back to the big screen, and this time, he’s wrecking the internet. The Oscar®-nominated Walt Disney Animation Studios team from the original film is reteaming for the follow-up, including director Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “The Simpsons”) and producer Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Bolt”). Phil Johnston (writer, “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Zootopia,” “Cedar Rapids”) joins Moore as director and a writer on the project. John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman return as the bad-guy-turned-good, Ralph, and the girl with the game-winning glitch, Vanellope von Schweetz. The untitled sequel will hit theaters—literally—on March 9, 2018.
The filmmakers and Reilly made the announcement on Facebook Live today: https://www.facebook.com/Disney/videos/10153760073335954/
“From the moment we started working on the first ‘Wreck-It Ralph,’ we knew there were so many possibilities with these characters,” said Moore, who has been developing it since shortly after the release of the first film, and while directing this year’s critically-acclaimed hit “Zootopia” with Byron Howard. “This time, Ralph’s wrecking wreaks havoc on the Web—as only he can do. Characters we loved in the first film are back and we are ecstatic to be working with them—and the actors who voice them—once again.”
“The world of the internet is the perfect place to send Ralph and Vanellope,” said Johnston. “The scope and scale are so vast and the possibilities for comedy are endless.”
“Ralph is a character very near and dear to my heart,” added Reilly. “I'm really looking forward to playing the big lug again. Making the first ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ was one of the most special experiences I've ever had and I'm really looking forward to bringing him back to life. So many kids I've met all over the world are excited to see him again, too. They tell me all the time!”
When “Wreck-It Ralph” opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Nominated for an Oscar® and Golden Globe® for best animated feature, “Wreck-It Ralph” won the PGA Award for outstanding producer of an animated theatrical motion picture as well as five Annie Awards, including best animated feature, director, cast and screenplay. The film was named best animated feature by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, earned outstanding achievement in casting for an animated feature by the Casting Society of America, and won the Kids’ Choice Award for favorite animated movie.
DISNEY CROSSY ROAD WRECKED
At 12 p.m. PT today, Disney’s hit mobile game, Disney Crossy Road, will be wrecked by Ralph in celebration of the announcement. As fans play through the 12 different Disney and Pixar worlds of Disney Crossy Road, Ralph may appear and ‘wreck’ part of their gameplay.
“Wreck-It Ralph has been one of the most popular worlds to play in Disney Crossy Road, so it made perfect sense to celebrate Ralph’s return by letting him go outside his world and ‘wreck’ other parts of the game,” said Chris Heatherly, SVP & GM, Disney Apps and Games. “We are big fans of the first film, as are our players, and can’t wait to see how the next chapter unfolds.”
“GIGANTIC” DATE-CHANGE
The animated feature “Gigantic,” originally announced as Disney’s March 9, 2018, release, will be released on November 21, 2018.
Ralph is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, the good guy star of their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he's tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he's got what it takes to be a hero.
On his quest, Wreck-It Ralph meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun from the first-person action game Hero's Duty. But it's the feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz from the candy-coated cart racing game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realise his dream and save the day before it's too late?
Wreck-It Ralph stars the voice talent of John C. Reilly (Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Step Brothers), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Jane Lynch (Glee) and Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program).