'Inside Out 2': How new emotions were finalized
Inside Out 2, the eagerly awaited sequel to Pixar's popular film Inside Out, is set to delve deeper into the emotional world of its main character, Riley. As she transitions from pre-teen to teenager, viewers will encounter new emotions such as Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui. However, the original plan was to introduce a more extensive emotional palette. Here's how the final four were selected.
9 new emotions were initially considered
During a press conference at Pixar's Emeryville headquarters, director Kelsey Mann and producer Mark Nielsen disclosed that they initially planned to introduce nine new emotions in the sequel, reported Eric Eisenberg for Cinemablend. The makers even contemplated reviving an emotion that was discarded from the first film. Mann admitted to revisiting early drafts of Inside Out for inspiration, where he discovered the concept of "Schadenfreude," an emotion considered but ultimately rejected for both films.
Know what 'Schadenfreude' means
"Schadenfreude" is a German word that refers to the derivation of joy or pleasure out of witnessing or learning about someone's failure or humiliation. Notably, makers had thought of incorporating this complex but relatable emotion in the original 2015 film, too. However, they ended up skipping it, not once but twice.
Streamlining the emotional landscape
The original blueprint for Inside Out 2 involved Joy dealing with 13 (nine new plus the original four) emotions in Riley's mind. However, this concept was deemed too intricate and confusing due to the multitude of characters. The unanimous feedback was to simplify, leading Mann to consult Professor Dacher Keltner from the University of California, Berkeley, for advice on which emotions should remain in the script.
The final selection of emotions for 'Inside Out 2'
Professor Keltner emphasized that self-conscious emotions become more prominent during adolescence as part of our biological drive toward independence. Consequently, the final selection of emotions for Inside Out 2 - Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui - all relate to relationships and social interactions. Mann explained that these emotions become more prominent as we mature.
'Inside Out 2': Star-studded cast and release date
Inside Out 2 features a stellar cast that includes Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Paul Walter Hauser. The film has completed production and is scheduled for release on June 14. This much-anticipated sequel promises to offer audiences a deeper understanding of the emotional complexities that come with growing up.
