Brad Bird's Career: Incredibles 2, '1906', and Pixar's Future

Incredibles 2 Development and Challenges

• 🚀 Incredibles 2 faced a tight production schedule, with a release date shifting from 2019 to summer 2018, requiring rapid development.
• 💡 Brad Bird discussed the challenge of re-entering the superhero genre after 13 years, comparing it to a patchy football field that needed revitalization.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The core metaphor of family was emphasized as the key differentiator for Incredibles 2, allowing for unique animated sequences impossible in live-action.
• 💥 The opening sequence directly follows the end of the first film, featuring a fight with the Underminer, with a looser, more sophisticated camera style for the sequel.

Brad Bird's Unmade Projects: '1906' and 'Ray Gun'

• 🎬 Brad Bird's passion project, '1906', a film about the Great San Francisco Earthquake, was in development at Pixar but faced numerous hurdles, including budget and script challenges.
• 🤝 The '1906' project involved potential collaboration with Warner Bros. due to its high projected cost, estimated at $200 million.
• 🌟 'Ray Gun', described as 'Flash Gordon meets film noir,' was another ambitious project Bird worked on, featuring the last human detective in the universe.
• 📺 The possibility of '1906' being adapted as a multi-part series for an on-demand streaming service is discussed as a potential avenue.

Pixar's Evolution and Leadership

• 🏢 Brad Bird joined Pixar in 2000, having already made a mark with 'The Iron Giant' and his work on 'The Simpsons.'
• 🐭 Bird was instrumental in the development of Ratatouille, taking over from John Pavenia and leading a significant overhaul of the film.
• 💡 The discussion touches on the potential leadership vacuum at Pixar following John Lasseter's sabbatical, with Brad Bird's skill set being a strong candidate for a studio leadership role.
• 🎬 Bird is noted as the only director in Pixar's history with a writer-director credit on his films, highlighting his significant creative control and vision.

Live-Action Aspirations and Challenges

• 🚀 Brad Bird was considered for directing Star Wars: Episode VII, but prioritized his commitment to Tomorrowland.
• 📉 John Carter, directed by Andrew Stanton, is cited as an example of a live-action film that struggled due to a lack of confidence in shooting action sequences early on, impacting trailer marketing.
• 🌟 Tomorrowland faced challenges with its original cut being too 'Disney-centric,' with many references pulled for broader audience appeal.

Voice Acting and Early Development

• 🎭 A preliminary script for Disney's Hercules revealed Jack Nicholson as the first choice for Hades, with concept art and script excerpts supporting this.
• 🎤 Richard Lewis was also considered for the roles of Pain and Panic in Hercules, with script lines showcasing his potential comedic timing.
• 🌟 The conversation highlights the early stages of development for animated films, including casting decisions and script evolution.