The sequel to the Academy Award-winning animated movie 'Inside Out' brings five new emotions to Riley's brain, but director Kelsey Mann initially planned for more.
- Jun 15, 2024
AceShowbiz - As "Inside Out 2" follows Riley through puberty and her teenage years, it introduces five new emotions to her brain's command center. These include Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adele Exarchopoulos) and Nostalgia (June Squibb).
However, director Kelsey Mann initially had more ambitious plans. In his first screening, he debuted nine new emotions, overwhelming not only Joy (Amy Poehler) but also the audience. Recognizing the need for simplification, Mann and his team narrowed the list down to the current four.
The original nine emotions included Schadenfreude (joy at someone else's expense), Jealousy and Guilt. While Guilt was initially given a "baggage cart" full of regrets, its traits were eventually absorbed by Anxiety. Envy, a sibling to Jealousy, found its place in the final cut.
The decision to streamline the emotions was driven by a desire to focus the story and not lose the audience in a sea of characters. However, the cut emotions still left their mark on the final product. Anxiety inherited some of Guilt's original baggage, mirroring Mann's experiences raising a teenager.
Co-writer Dave Holstein highlighted that the four chosen emotions were unique and directly connected to the challenges of adolescence. Specifically, Anxiety resonated with the experiences of 13-year-olds, especially those who have faced increased anxiety in recent years.
Additionally, the film's aspect ratio has been expanded to reflect Riley's broadening world. According to Mann, this change allowed for a more impactful visual representation of the emotions interacting on the console.
"Inside Out 2" is now playing in theaters.
