Why ‘Secret Life of Pets’ Spells Good News for Original Ideas in Hollywood
A burst of fresh new hits has studios chasing untested content – but sequel fever isn’t over yet
Meriah Doty | July 10, 2016 @ 11:21 AM
Last Updated: July 10, 2016 @ 12:15 PM
So long, movie sequels?
Well, maybe not quite. But as a so-called sequel slump depressed this year’s overall box office returns, some good news emerged for the studios: Many of this year’s highest performing movies represented new and original ideas.
Not based on anything but a story devised by Disney Animation creators, “Zootopia” was some of the year’s first proof of this, going on to surpass $1 billion worldwide and becoming the fifth highest-grossing movie of the year so far.
Now, Universal-Illumination’s “The Secret Life of Pets” should eventually surpass Disney’s hit as it bowed this weekend to $103.2 million, the sixth highest-grossing opening ever for an animated film.
“Pets,” from an original idea written by Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio and Brian Lynch, and directed by Yarrow Cheney and Chris Renaud, is bolstering Hollywood’s newfound confidence in brand-new intellectual property.
“It starts with really good filmmaking,” Nick Carpou, Universal’s president of domestic distribution, told TheWrap on Sunday, also crediting the massive opening of “Pets” to Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri.
“It’s a valentine to pet owners,” added Carpou. “And that’s why it’s been successful so far crossing gender lines cultural boundaries,” he said, citing the film’s strong performance overseas. “Pets” has made $42.6 million abroad so far in only six markets, with release dates pending in dozens more.
Counting this year’s successes — Paramount’s “10 Cloverfield Lane,” Universal’s Melissa McCarthy comedy “The Boss” and Warner Bros.’ “Central Intelligence,” which all made it into the top 20 of 2016 so far — fresh intellectual property is decidedly hoisting up this year’s box office.
20th Century Fox-Marvel’s “Deadpool” can also be counted since it is the first film based on the motor-mouthed comic book character after which the movie is named. And it’s the third highest-grossing movie of the year to date, behind “Finding Dory” and “Captain America: Civil War.”
“New ideas help grow the business,” said producer Brad Fuller, whose most recent release is the scary movie sequel “The Purge: Election Year.”
Another indicator Hollywood has found newfound confidence in fresh ideas is Pixar’s recent announcement that it has no more sequels slated after “The Incredibles II” in 2019.
“There will continue to be a hungry market for well-made sequels, but audiences are looking for new characters and new worlds just as much — if not more,” said BoxOffice.com’s Shawn Robbins.
But there’s a financial drawback to launching new IP. It involves a lot of extra marketing to familiarize audiences with a new brand. “It is certainly more of a challenge in today’s ‘sequel-ized’ world to compel audiences to take a risk with their hard-earned cash on something new rather than the tried and true,” added Robbins.
The added risk of investment can pay off, though, especially if a new brand represents a nascent franchise in the making. Which will lead to – you guessed it – more sequels.
When pressed on whether a sequel to “Pets” is happening, Carpou was coy: “It’s safe to assume we make movies we think people want to see.”
And seeing as “Pets” hit it out of the park, people will very likely be seeing the followup in the next few years.
13 Famous Voices Behind the Furry Characters in 'Secret Life of Pets' (Photos)
Louis C.K. ("Max") Known for his work on FX's "Louie" and the self-produced "Horace and Pete," the famed comedian makes his animated debut in "The Secret Life of Pets" as the film's Jack Russell Terrier protagonist, Max.
Wikipedia
Eric Stonestreet (Duke) The Emmy-nominated "Modern Family" actor voices Max's Newfoundland canine roommate, Duke.
Disney Wikia
Kevin Hart (Snowball) One of Hollywood's most bankable stars, Hart has already dominated the summer with "Central Intelligence." It was only a matter of time before he made his way to animation as the villainous bunny Snowball. Hart is also scheduled to voice a character in next year's DreamWorks flick "Captain Underpants."
Getty Images
Steve Coogan (Ozone) Before Coogan performed in films like 'Philomena' and 'Alan Partridge,' the British actor worked as a voice artist on the satirical puppet show 'Spitting Image.' In 'Pets,' Coogan's vocal expertise returns, playing the Sphynx cat Ozone.
Getty Images
Ellie Kemper (Katie) Having voiced characters on TBS' "American Dad" and HBO's "Animals," the "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" star continues to use her perky vocals as Katie, Max and Duke's kind human owner.
Getty Images
Bobby Moynihan (Mel) Moynihan put his voice to work in two Pixar films -- "Monsters University" and "Inside Out." In his latest animated outing, the "SNL" performer plays the hyperactive pug, Mel.
Getty Images
Lake Bell (Chloe) The New York-based actress/writer/director knows a thing or two about voice acting -- she played an aspiring voiceover artist in her 2013 feature debut, "In a World." With "Pets," Bell continues her vocal work as an apathetic tabby cat, Chloe.
Getty Images
Dana Carvey (Pops) The "SNL" alum has had some experience in vocal acting, voicing animated characters on "The Fairly OddParents" "Hotel Transylvania 2," and "Rick and Morty." In "Pets," he plays the elderly Basset Hound, Pops.
Getty Images
Hannibal Buress (Buddy) The stand-up comic already contributed his voice in this year's "The Angry Birds Movie," and now continues his animated streak as dachshund Mel.
Getty Images
Jenny Slate (Gidget) The "Obvious Child" actress is notable for her dynamic vocals, having voiced characters in "Zootopia," "The Lorax" and "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On," a collection of short films she co-created. Slate's voice can now be heard through the white Pomeranian Gidget.
Getty Images
Albert Brooks (Tiberius) Though Brooks is known for his roles in "Defending Your Life" and "Drive," one of the actor/director's most famous turns comes from voicing Marlin in Pixar's "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory." In "Pets," Brooks continues to utilize his voice as the red-tailed hawk Tiberius.
Getty Images
Tara Strong (Sweet Pea) A professional voice artist, Strong has been in multiple Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network shows, from "The Powerpuff Girls" and "The Fairly OddParents" to "Teen Titans." In "Pets," Strong provides the voice of the parakeet Sweet Pea and other additional characters.
Getty Images
Chris Renaud (Norman) The co-director of "The Secret Life of Pets" lent his voice to the "Despicable Me" movies and the "Minions" spinoff. Renaud makes a cameo in "Pets" as the guinea pig Norman.
Getty Images
1 of 13
From Louis C.K.’s Jack Russell Terrier protagonist to Kevin Hart as villainous bunny Snowball, there’s a whole pack of Hollywood stars bringing Illumination Entertainment’s animated movie to life
Louis C.K. ("Max") Known for his work on FX's "Louie" and the self-produced "Horace and Pete," the famed comedian makes his animated debut in "The Secret Life of Pets" as the film's Jack Russell Terrier protagonist, Max.