WRECK-IT RALPH SEQUEL to 'Break the Internet' on 3.9.2018

In an exciting exclusive event this morning on Disney's Facebook Live, Director Rich Moore (Wreck-it Ralph, Zootopia) Co-Director Phil Johnston, and star John C Reilly officially announced that a yet-untitled Wreck It Ralph Sequel will hit theaters on March 9th, 2018. The sequel to the 2012 original film will replace Walt Disney Animation Studios' previous March 2018 release of Gigantic, which will now debut in theaters on November 21, 2018. Check out the full press release, official Facebook Live announcement video, and first piece of concept art for the Wreck-it Ralph Sequel all after the break!

Wreck-it Ralph Sequel Announcement PRESS RELEASE:

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. 

“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. 

“GIGANTIC” DATE-CHANGE The animated feature “Gigantic,” originally announced as Disney’s March 9, 2018, release, will be released on November 21, 2018.

This sequel announcement is exciting for several reasons- the first being a more personal matter. I strongly believe that the original film is one of the best Disney Animation films from the Revival Era (2009+) and the world created by Director Rich Moore is wholly ripe for invention. I also love that the film is clearly in active development since the sequel is set to hit theaters in less than 2 years! Additionally, the premise of exploring the online world, whether it be on social media or online gaming (or both!) is incredibly exciting. For instance, the piece of concept art above has so many fun little details: Twitter birds flying in the air and the Facebook friend networks shown through light arcs! The internet is so clearly open for all types of puns, gags, and world building that it's hard not too feel the inventiveness of the antics Ralph and Venellope will get themselves into. 

Finally, I'm glad that Wreck-it Ralph is getting the love first out of the gate before Frozen. While I don't want to diminish Frozen's success, I believe Ralph has so much more going for it in terms of storytelling and world building than Frozen. Since Disney announced nearly a year ago that a Frozen sequel is in the works, there is something to be said for giving a Ralph sequel a firm release date before the Frozen sequel. This clearly shows that Moore has something really special up his sleeves. 

The yet-untitled Wreck-It Ralph Sequel is set to BREAK THE INTERNET on March 9th, 2018!