Monsters University

Monsters University is an upcoming feature length prequel to the 2001 film Monsters, Inc. Dan Scanlon is directing and Kori Rae is producing. John Goodman and Billy Crystal will return for the film. Randy Newman is set to compose the film's score. The film was originally slated for a release of November 16, 2012, before being brought forward to November 2, 2012. It is now set for release on June 21, 2013. This will mark the first prequel Pixar has ever produced. It will be released in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2013. The film will be accompanied by a short film titled The Blue Umbrella, with a score provided by Jon Brion.

Synopsis
From Pixar.com: "Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Screaming with laughter and fun, Monsters University is directed by Dan Scanlon (Cars, Mater and the Ghostlight, Tracy) and produced by Kori Rae (Up, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc.)."

Voice cast



 * John Goodman: James P. Sullivan
 * Billy Crystal: Mike Wazowski
 * Steve Buscemi: Randall Boggs
 * Jennifer Tilly: Celia Mae
 * Peter Sohn : Squishy
 * Dave Foley : Unknown
 * Julia Sweeney : Unknown
 * Joel Murray : Don Carlson
 * Kelsey Grammer : Henry J. Waternoose III
 * Ken Jeong : Mack
 * J.B. Smoove : Kenny
 * Rob Riggle : Harold
 * Frank Oz : Fungus
 * John Ratzenberger : The Abominable Snowman
 * Dan Gerson : Needleman and Smitty
 * Jeff Pidgeon: Thaddeus Bile
 * Dean Hardsgrable

Production
Pete Docter won't return to direct the movie. It has now been confirmed during a Cars 2 press open house that Dan Scanlon (the co-director of the short film Mater and the Ghostlight) will be the director.

The film was originally going to be released on November 16, 2012, but was pushed back to November 2 to avoid competition with another film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.

In January 2011, rumors surfaced that Monsters, Inc. 2 was going to be a prequel to Monsters, Inc., saying that the film would follow Mike and Sulley when they were at the Monstropolis University of Fear, and how they go from being enemies to best friends. These rumors were confirmed soon after.

On August 12, 2011 Billy Crystal attended a 20th anniversary screening of City Slickers. When asked about his return to the role of Mike Wazowski he replied, “That’s why I’m a little hoarse. I spent five-and-a-half hours today for our fourth session on Monsters, Inc. 2." Crystal says that he and co-star John Goodman are having a blast together and describes the script as "really great" and "hilarious". Crystal also gave little details of the plot of the film saying, “It’s college pranks with monsters. And I wear a retainer. Mike has a retainer." Dan Scanlon, Crystal and Ricky Nierva were present at the D23 Expo talking about the film and showcasing concept and development sketches. Scanlon pointed out that this time, Sulley is not as bulky as he was in the first movie, and Mike is smaller. "We all looked a little different when we were in college. Mike we made a little smaller to either straighten or loosen his teeth. I’m not really sure what the desired effect is in the monster world." John Goodman did not attend the expo. Crystal said, "College is a long way away for me, but bringing this world together at Pixar, where only this could happen, it’s hilarious, it’s funny, and different from anything you could possibly imagine that Monsters Inc. could become."

On December 3, 2012, Georgian Progressive Metal band Mastodon announced via their Twitter page that they were writing a song for the film.

Marketing
The teaser trailer for the film was released online on June 20, 2012 and was screened in theaters with Brave. Four versions of the teaser were released, each featuring Mike saying a different line in his sleep. Each of the four versions were released by a different news outlet. In one version, "My pony made the deans list" (link), iTunes Trailers with "I can't go to class, I'm not wearing any clothes" (link), Yahoo! Movies with "My homework ate my dog" (link) and for The Huffington Post as "Class President - ha, ha, ha, ha" (link).

In October 2012, Disney/Pixar started a viral campaign by launching a very complete, fully functional website for the Monsters University. The website covers all subjects of a real university website, and includes a store where related merchandise can be bought. In addition, the first TV commercial for the film was aired during the 2013 Rose Bowl Game, parodying ads that participating schools air during college football telecasts.

An extended preview of the film was released on February 8, 2013.

An all-new sneak peek of the film will be released on the Monsters, Inc. 3D Blu-ray on February 19, 2013.

Trivia

 * The beginning of the teaser trailer makes a nod to both Monsters, Inc.'s teaser trailer and the film's opening scene, using similar shot techniques and narration.
 * In the teaser trailer, the snake monster from the intro of Monsters, Inc appears on a poster to the right of Mike's room.
 * Monsters, Inc. is the first Pixar film to have a prequel.
 * Monsters, Inc. is the third Pixar film to become a franchise after Toy Story and Cars.
 * This movie contradicts with lines spoken by both Mike and Sulley in the first movie, as well as one of its trailers, where they mentioned to have known each other since grade school. Though it is possible they went to different high schools and grew apart, and were reunited at Monsters University.