The Incredibles was a hit when it was released in 2004. The 1950s vibe, excellent animation style, stylish action, and superb humor made it an instant classic. It was the first Pixar outing to feature a primarily human cast of characters, a risk that paid off. The sequel, which came out nearly fourteen years after the original, was received with similar acclaim.
The Incredibles 2 retained all the elements that made its predecessor a success and added new elements like new superheroes, a fascinating antagonist, and excellent new action sequences. Although The Incredibles 2 raked in a whopping $1.2 billion worldwide, there is no set date for the sure-to-be-made sequel. Here are ten ideas that could make the third Incredibles movie the best in the trilogy.
Introduce Serious Family Conflict (Not Just Dysfunction)
The first Incredibles revolved around the marital conflict between Bob/Mr. Incredible (Bob T. Nelson) and Helen/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter). The second revolved primarily around Bob learning to step back and allow his wife the superhero spotlight to which he was most drawn. There have been opposing wills and serious arguments, but nothing yet to threaten the relationships of the Parr family. If the third movie takes place several years after the events of the second, Dash or Violet might be capable of wreaking adult havoc on their family like their parents.
Feature A Time Jump
The Incredibles 2 picked up right after the finale of the first, with the rumbling in the street and the crash of a massive drill surfacing: the rise of the Underminer, a peculiar subterranean villain. Although this time and context worked perfectly for the sequel, a time jump will allow Pixar to play with many more interesting features. Bob, Helen, and Lucious could grapple with their age, Dash and Violet will eventually go to college and define their own motivations and desires, and Jack-Jack could lose his double name and become a moody teenager.
Introduce Another Frightening Villain
Screenslaver was a truly surprising and terrifying antagonist to the Parrs in The Incredibles 2. Her mind-manipulating powers were timely and clever, a not-so-subtle nod to today’s prevalent technology addiction. The reveal of the villain in an encounter with Elastigirl is memorably chill-inducing.
Despite the stark differences between Screenslaver and The Incredibles‘ villain Syndrome, the franchise has a proven track record for writing excellent villains. Continuing this theme is necessary to make the third film the best in the series.
Bring Back The Other Superheroes From Incredibles 2
The Incredibles series director and writer Brad capitalized on the possibilities for a sequel by including a plethora of entertaining, colorful, and fun new superheroes in the sequel. Reflux can vomit molten lava, Voyd can create portals to different locations, and Krushauer can, well, crush things with his mind. The new characters were given a central role in the new film, but not primarily as heroes. Any of the three aforementioned new heroes would be great new additions to The Incredibles 3.
Keep Composer Michael Giacchino
Music maketh the movie, and Michael Giacchino gives The Incredibles movies the key themes and melodies required to elevate it above traditional action flicks. Obviously inspired by James Bond and Mission: Impossible, it’s arguable that Giacchino’s work on The Incredibles surpasses them in energy and creativity. The composer is completely in tune with the vision of the series and must be kept in order to ensure the success of the third film.
Make Dash And Violet The Main Characters
As mentioned previously, Bob and Helen have had their spotlight in the first two films. Dash and Violet, who are endlessly entertaining together as the stereotypical oil-and-water brother-sister combo, deserve to be the leading roles in The Incredibles 3.
If a time jump were featured and Violet and Dash are college students or young adults, the opportunities to explore their characters further are greatly enhanced, and even pit them against an old order of superheroes.
Bring Back Frozone As A Main Character
Samuel L. Jackson’s character Frozone is just plain cool. He creates ice from thin air, slides on it, and non-violently stops his enemies from wreaking havoc on the city. The second Incredibles featured Bob’s best friend much more than the first, and most importantly, in costume.
As one of the last remaining “old guard” of heroes along with Bob and Helen, Lucius deserves another leading role in The Incredibles 3 as a main hero. Even making him a primary character and exploring his relationship with his wife, Honey, could add on even more humor and intrigue.
Continue Expanding The Incredi-Verse
Although franchises come with their fair share of problems, it is truly something to revel in when fans absolutely love a set of characters. The Incredibles is one such property, the sequel blowing away box office records fourteen years after the first movie released. The more world-building the third film does, introducing lavish new destinations and creating a unique set of stakes similar to Marvel and Star Wars will continue to capitalize on its already unique style.
Feature The Death Of A Major Character
In order for a series to improve, the stakes must be raised higher than ever, and nothing shows a storyteller’s commitment to the narrative like doubling down on those stakes. Killing off a character is often a cheap tactic in entertainment, but done right, it offers the weight of life and death in a single scene.
While it shouldn’t be done for its own sake, the death of a major character will remain with audiences who have journeyed with these characters for nearly twenty years.
Bring Back Director Brad Bird
Once offered the director’s chair on The Force Awakens, Brad Bird is truly an excellent storyteller, director, writer, and visionary. He is a rare artist to work inside Disney without succumbing to producers’ pressures and desires, bent on telling meaningful stories as near to his vision as possible. As sole writer on The Incredibles 2, Bird is owed most of the credit for casting the vision that led to the success of the sequel, and it is considered one of the best animated films to date. Any other director calling the shots on the third Incredibles will fail to replicate the success Brad Bird has had on the beloved films.
