Pixar Animation’s sequel to their massive aquatic hit, Finding Nemo, is taking its time getting to the big screen, but at least now we know the direction it’s swimming in. Titled Finding Dory, the movie is set to focus on the origins of chatterbox fish Dory from the first movie. As its name suggests, the narrative drive will stem from little Dory’s desire to find herself, an idea which kickstarts a mission to track down her parents.
Since the sequel nabbed the greenlight, rumours of where exactly Dory, Nemo and co. will venture have ranged from Sea World to the Great Barrier Reef. It would seem that the shenanigans of Dory’s self-exploration are likely to be more stationary than the first movie, thanks to a handful of details revealed by Pixar President Jim Morris in an interview via Collider.
Here’s their scoop in full:
Morris said the sequel takes place six months after the first movie, and Dory, now living in the same reef as the clown fishes, living a normal and quiet life, dealing with her forgetfulness. One day she goes with Nemo on a class trip to see manta rays migrate back home, which makes her feel home sick since she doesn’t know where she came from.
Morris added that “the movie will be mostly set at the California Marine Biology Institute, a huge complex of sea life rehabilitation and aquarium, where Dory was born and raised. We will get to meet new characters, like an octopus, sea lions, a beluga whale, among others.”
First off, it seems the decision to fix the action in one location might steer immediate comparisons away from the original movie. Second, that latter chunk of the quote aligns with earlier reports concerning new voice cast members. As well as returning the cast, which includes Ellen DeGeneres (as Dory), Albert Brooks (Marlin) and various members of The Tank Gang, a new clutch of actors have signed on.
The beluga whale Bailey is being voiced by Modern Family‘s Ty Burrell, Dory’s adoptive sister has Kaitlin Olson at the mic and Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy are hitting the vocal booth as Dory’s parents. Wherever the story may take place, with this cast attached, Finding Dory‘s June 17th, 2016 release date can’t come soon enough.