Will Soul 2 ever happen? If so, when will it release, and what will the storyline be about? Here's everything we expect for a potential Pixar sequel.
Will Soul 2 ever happen? If so, when will it release, and what will the storyline be about? The original 2020 film, Soul, has been widely praised by critics and general streamers, which suggests that Disney and Pixar will collaborate for another existential classic in the near future. Given the scope of production, though, it may be more than a few years until Soul 2 premieres.
Soul follows a Black music teacher named Joe Gardner. Voiced by Jamie Foxx, the New York City native gets offered a full-time educational gig but decides to pursue a dream job upon receiving the opportunity to play piano for Dorothea Williams (Angela Bassett), a jazz icon. After the first show, Joe feels slightly underwhelmed when his life goes back to normal — then, moments later, he falls into a manhole, and also falls into a coma. The rest of Soul thematically parallels the 1946 classic It's a Wonderful Life, as Joe — now a soul in limbo — watches his life play out from a different perspective.
As of January 2021, Soul 2 hasn't been officially greenlit by Disney and Pixar, which isn't a huge surprise since the the film just released on Christmas Day 2020. Given that Soul already seems to be a massive Disney+ hit and arguably one of the finest Pixar films ever made, it's safe to assume that a sequel will be announced sometime in 2021. Here's everything we expect for Soul 2.
Soul 2 Release Date
Pixar typically releases one new feature per year. There are currently several movies already on the upcoming slate, including Luca (2021) Turning Red (2022) and Lightyear (2022). So, it's highly unlikely that Soul 2 would be produced and released in the next three years. Instead, it seems most probable that Disney and Pixar would target 2025 as a tentative premiere date, at least based on their history of franchise sequels. For example, the 2017 movie Cars 3 released six years after its predecessor, and Toy Story 4 (2019) arrived nearly a decade after the third franchise installment. As the film industry continues to adapt to new release models, it's certainly possible that Disney and Pixar may prioritize Soul 2 for a 2025 release, give or take one year.
Soul 2 Cast
The main Soul cast will presumably return for Soul 2. In the primary role, Foxx can reprise his character Joe, who is very much alive and well. The soul named 22 (Tina Fey) would seemingly be the narrative focus in a potential sequel, as she transitions to Earth and begins a new life in the original movie. In supporting roles, expect Phylicia Rashad to return as Joe's mother Libba, along with Alice Braga and Richard Ayoade as the soul counselors known as Jerry.
Soul 2 Story
Given the ending of Soul, a sequel would likely follow 22 as she begins a new existence on Earth; however, Disney and Pixar will presumably want to maintain a narrative focus on African-American characters. In that case, Fey may certainly play a pivotal role, yet it seems that a new character would be introduced to complement the existing storyline featuring Joe. Given the existential premise and heavenly themes in Soul, it won't be too difficult for Disney and Pixar to figure out the specifics for Soul 2.
