John Goodman, Billy Crystal reunite for Monsters, Inc. Disney+ series
David Farnor | On 10, Apr 2019
John Goodman and Billy Crystal are reuniting for a new Monsters, Inc. series on Disney+.
The movie, released in 2001 and directed by Pete Docter, has already spawned one follow-up project, Monsters University. Now, Disney is preparing a small screen spin-off for its animated franchise, with a new TV show set to debut on its subscription streaming service.
Such animated spin-offs are no stranger to streamers, with Netflix and DreamWorks partnering up for multiple TV projects, including How to Train Your Dragons and Puss in Boots series. Now, the House of Mouse is following suit, and while such animated series tend to cast different actors in familiar roles, Disney+ is proving its clout by bringing back both John Goodman and Billy Crystal as best friends Mike and Sully.
The series will pick up six months after the original movie, as the Monsters, Inc. power plant harvests the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, instead of screams. It will follow Tylor Tuskmon (Ben Feldman), an eager, talented mechanic on the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team, who dreams of climbing the factory ladder to become a Jokester alongside the famous duo.
Goodman and Crystal will be joined by other returning voices, such as John Ratzenberger as Yeti, Jennifer Tilly as Celia Mae and Bob Peterson as Roz. They will be joined by Kelly Marie Tran as Val Little, Tylor’s friend, and Henry Winkler as Fritz, Tylor’s scatterbrained boss, Lucas Neff as Duncan, an opportunistic plumber, Alanna Ubach as Cutter, an officious rule follower, Stephen Stanton as Smitty and Needleman, a bumbling custodial team, and Aisha Tyler as Tylor’s mom, Millie Tuskmon.
Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series is developed and executive produced by Disney veteran Bobs Gannaway, with Ferrell Barron serving as producer. Kat Good and Rob Gibbs are on board as directors.
The series will premiere on Disney+ in 2020.