In 2015, Disney and Pixar released their newest film, which took you inside the mind of a young girl named Riley. Riley is going through a lot because her parents moved her from Minnesota to San Francisco. Now, while the story is about Riley, it is more about the emotions that live inside Riley’s head — Joy, Anger, Fear, Sadness, and Disgust. They try to help Riley deal with starting over in a strange place.
Inside Out was wildly successful, grossing nearly $900 million at the box office. It was also loved by critics and currently has a 98% rating by critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans rated the movie at 89%.
Related: Which Inside Out Character Are You?
In the original film, Joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Disgust were not the only characters that we met in Riley’s mind. Fans also met an adorable creature named Bing Bong. Bing Bong is basically a furry pink elephant who was Riley’s imaginary friend when she was little. Sadly, the older Riley gets, the more she forgets about Bing Bong. Bing Bong ends up disappearing, signaling that Riley has completely forgotten about him.
At the 2022 D23 Expo, Disney announced that they were working on Inside Out 2.
For a long time, no further details were given. Recently, however, the rumor mill was swirling and the new emotions that were going to be featured in the sequel film were leaked. Multiple sources revealed that, in addition to Joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Disgust, viewers will also meet Anxiety, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Envy.
Related: Inside Out 2 is Already Breaking Records!
Finally, on November 8, Disney released its first trailer for Inside Out 2, and we met Anxiety — voiced by Maya Hawke. However, it wasn’t the trailer that had people talking. It was the poster that was shared alongside it.
In the poster, the original emotions are seen standing on top of what looks like a manhole cover as new emotions try to push their way through. But some eagle-eyed fans think that new emotions are not the only ones who look like they will come to the forefront of Riley’s mind.
Many think that, despite his disappearance, Bing Bong will return!
BING BONG IS ALIVE AND WELL OMG?? #InsideOut2
BING BONG IS ALIVE AND WELL OMG?? #InsideOut2 pic.twitter.com/h5KoEU1MGn
— 𝐣𝐞𝐬𝐬 ♡ (@jxss_ica_) November 9, 2023
One X (formerly Twitter) user even figured out a storyline Disney might use to bring the beloved character back.
I’m saying it here now. #InsideOut2 Riley’s mom is going to find an old drawing of Bing Bong and he’s going to come back to help Joy. WATCH
I'm saying it here now. #InsideOut2 Riley's mom is going to find an old drawing of Bing Bong and he's going to come back to help Joy. WATCH pic.twitter.com/gJduZInSTa
— Myke Thompson (@itsmykethompson) November 11, 2023
Of course, it is most likely that the character seen in the poster is not Bing Bong, but just one of the new emotions entering Riley’s mind. But it is interesting that Disney and Pixar animators decided to make him look a lot like Riley’s imaginary friend.
However, it is also possible that Disney might decide to bring Bing Bong back since he was so popular with fans. Yes, he disappeared because Riley forgot about it. But it was never said that he couldn’t come back if, for some reason, Riley’s memories were triggered and she remembered him.
Inside Out 2 is scheduled to premiere in theaters nationwide on June 14, 2024. The movie will see the return of Amy Poehler as Joy, Lewis Black as Anger, and Phyllis Smith as Sadness. Bill Hader will not be returning as Fear, and Mindy Kaling will not be returning as Disgust.
In the sequel film, Fear will be voiced by Hocus Pocus 2 star Tony Hale. Disgust will be voiced by Liza Lapira. Diane Lane will also return as the voice of Riley’s mother.
Would you like to see Bing Bong return for Inside Out 2? Let us know in the comments!
