Universal Pictures and Dreamworks Animation are sending a bunch of animals on a heist - again. The studio has announced that it is full steam ahead onThe Bad Guys 2,an animated film that will once again bring audiences to a world in which animals serve as criminals and pickpockets. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, Universal has set a release date for the sequel film of Jul 12, 2025, in the United States.
The first film,The Bad Guys,was based on the book series of the same name byAaron Blabey.It starredSam Rockwellas Mr. Wolf, a thieving wolf who led a gang of animal criminals known as “The Bad Guys.” Throughout the film, Mr. Wolf is slowly convinced that his team of ragtag criminals would be better off contributing good to society.The Bad Guys 2will see the gang “struggling to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys, when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do ‘one last job’ by an all-female squad of criminals,” according to the film’s logline.
Most of the cast from the first film will be returning for the sequel. This includesMarc Maronas Mr. Snake,Craig Robinsonas Mr. Shark,Anthony Ramosas Mr. Piranha,Awkwafinaas Ms. Tarantula,Zazie Beetzas Diana Foxington,Richard Ayoadeas Professor Marmalade,Alex Borsteinas police chief Luggins andLilly Singhas Tiffany Fluffit. The director of the first film,Pierre Perifel,will once again be behind the director’s chair, withJP Sans,the head of character animation on the first film, co-directing. DreamWorks’Damon Rosswill produce, as he did on the original.
Perifel has previously commented on his desire to helm a sequel toThe Bad Guys,and it is unsurprising that Universal has given it the green light based on the first film’s success. Despite only having an estimated budget of $70 to $80 million,The Bad Guyswas able to rake innearly $251 millionat the worldwide box office when it was released in 2022. This includes$97 million domestically and $153 million overseas.
Perifel toldColliderin 2022 that he had learned things while makingThe Bad Guysthat he would take to future projects, which could potentially translate to the sequel. “In terms of the look, in terms of the music, in terms of the character design, the cinematography, everything, all of that was very defined early on,” Perifel said.“Everybody just stuck to that vision and decided to go with it.“He added that there were very few differences between his original storyboard design and the finished film, which could bode well for the sequel.
The Bad Guys 2will be released in theaters on Jul 18, 2025.
The Bad Guys
To avoid prison, a gang of notorious animal criminals pretends to seek being rehabilitated, only for their leader to realize that he genuinely wants to change his ways.
