Coco 2 officially in ‘initial stages’ at Disney and Pixar ahead of planned 2029 theatrical release

Disney and Pixar are heading back to the Land of the Dead, with Coco 2 officially in the works.

The sequel to the 2017 hit was revealed by Disney CEO Bob Iger during the company’s annual shareholder meeting, confirming that the much-anticipated follow-up is now in early development and scheduled to arrive in cinemas in 2029.

According to Variety, Iger said at the event, “While the film is just in the initial stages, we know it will be full of humour, heart and adventure. And we can’t wait to share more soon.”

While plot specifics remain under wraps, one key detail is clear: Coco’s original director, Lee Unkrich, is returning to helm the sequel alongside co-director Adrian Molina.

Anthony Gonzalez, who voiced Miguel in the original, is reportedly set to return, although Disney and Pixar have yet to confirm any official casting.

Pixar producer Mark Nielsen, whose credits include Toy Story 4 and Inside Out 2, has also signed on to produce.

Released in 2017, Coco became a cultural phenomenon and a major box office success, pulling in more than $800 million globally.

The film followed 12-year-old Miguel, a young musician defying his family’s long-standing ban on music, as he found himself swept into the Land of the Dead during Día de los Muertos.

The film went on to win two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me.”

The move to greenlight Coco 2 fits neatly into Pixar’s current trend of revisiting its most beloved worlds.

Recent sequels like Incredibles 2 and Inside Out 2 have both set box office records, with Inside Out 2 currently holding the title of highest-grossing animated film ever, surpassing $1.66 billion.