The Bad Guys 2 is an upcoming American animated heist action comedy film loosely based on the children's book series of the same name by Aaron Blabey, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The sequel to The Bad Guys (2022) and the second film in the Bad Guys franchise, it is directed by Pierre Perifel and co-directed by JP Sans. The film stars the voices of Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Richard Ayoade, Lilly Singh, and Alex Borstein reprising their roles from the first film, with Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova, and Natasha Lyonne joining the cast.
| The Bad Guys 2 | |
|---|---|
 Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Pierre Perifel |
| Based on | Characters by Aaron Blabey |
| Produced by | Damon Ross |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Daniel Pemberton |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Perifel stated that he would love to do a sequel to The Bad Guys in March 2022, before the release of the first film. Two years later, DreamWorks Animation announced a sequel, with Perifel and the voice cast returning, while Sans would serve as co-director. Lyonne joined the cast in July 2024, with the involvement of Brooks and Bakalova being announced in November. Daniel Pemberton will compose the score, returning from the previous film.
The Bad Guys 2 is scheduled to be released in the United States on August 1, 2025.[1]
Premise
editFive years after the events of the first film, The Bad Guys are 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, The Bad Girls.[1]
Voice cast
edit- Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf
- Marc Maron as Mr. Snake
- Craig Robinson as Mr. Shark
- Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha
- Awkwafina as Ms. Tarantula / "Webs"
- Danielle Brooks as Kitty Kat[2]
- Natasha Lyonne as Doom[2]
- Maria Bakalova as Pigtail[2]
- Zazie Beetz as Governor Diane Foxington / The Crimson Paw
- Richard Ayoade as Professor Marmalade
- Lilly Singh as Tiffany Fluffit
- Alex Borstein as Police Commissioner Misty Luggins[2]
Jorge R. Gutierrez is also said to have a cameo appearance in the film.[3][better source needed]
Production
editDevelopment
editIn March 2022, a month before The Bad Guys was released, director Pierre Perifel said that he would love to do a sequel.[4] On March 26, 2024, a sequel was confirmed by DreamWorks Animation, with Perifel returning to direct and JP Sans, who served as head of character animation on the previous film, co-directing. Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, and Lilly Singh all reprise their roles from the previous film.[1] Daniel Pemberton also returns to compose the score.[5] On July 13, 2024, it was announced that Natasha Lyonne has been cast in the sequel.[6] Danielle Brooks and Maria Bakalova were announced to be cast in the sequel in November.[2]
Animation
editOn October 6, 2023, the then-unannounced film was revealed to be animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks. Imageworks would operate as a partner studio with DreamWorks utilizing a "mixed production model". Pre-production would be done in-house at DreamWorks along with approximately 50% of the asset build and one hour of production, while Imageworks will handle the other 50% of asset builds and 20 minutes of shot production.[7]
Marketing
editThe first trailer of the film was released on November 21, 2024.[8]
Release
editThe Bad Guys 2 is scheduled to be released on August 1, 2025.[1]
As part of Universal's long-term deal with Netflix, the film will stream on Peacock for the first four months of the pay-TV window, before moving to Netflix for the next 10, and returning to Peacock for the remaining four.[9][10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 26, 2024). "DreamWorks Animation Sets 'The Bad Guys 2' For Late Summer 2025". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e The Bad Guys 2 Movie Site | This Summer | DreamWorks. Retrieved November 21, 2024 – via thebadguysmovie.com.
- ^ @mexopolis (November 21, 2024). "Congrats to all!!! I do a little cameo in the Lucha match..." (Tweet). Retrieved November 21, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Percival, Tom (March 31, 2022). "The Bad Guys director would love to do a sequel". The Digital Flix. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ "Daniel Pemberton to Score DreamWorks Animation's 'The Bad Guys 2'". Film Music Reporter. March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Richtman, Daniel. "The Hollywood Handle". X (a.k.a. Twitter). Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ Amidi, Amid (October 6, 2023). "Dreamworks Shifting Away From In-House Production In Los Angeles; Sony Imageworks Is A New Production Partner". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Tangcay, Jazz (November 21, 2024). "'The Bad Guys 2' Trailer: Natasha Lyonne Joins the Heist in DreamWorks Sequel". Variety. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (December 9, 2021). "NBCUniversal's New Theatrical Window Scheme To Bring Films To Peacock After As Few As 45 Days Of Release". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- ^ Moon, Mariella (July 14, 2021). "Netflix extends exclusive rights to Universal's animated films in the US". Engadget. Archived from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
