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The Bad Guys 2 Lands on Digital and 4K UHD Blu-ray with Exclusive Content
dreamworks Animation’s The Bad Guys 2 is now available to own or rent on Digital platforms, and will hit 4K UHD and Blu-ray on October 7, 2025, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.Based on the New York Times bestselling graphic novel by Aaron Blabey, the sequel takes the infamous Bad Guys on a globe-trotting adventure, all the way to outer space.Director Pierre Perifel discussed the challenges of keeping the Bad Guys’ edge now that they’re on the side of good, saying “Now they are good, did we lose some of their DNA? They’re the most fun when they’re bad, like stealing something or getting in a car chase. The challenge on this one was…in the first movie, what I loved the most was not when they were training to be goodies, it was before or after that. Now, they are faced with real-life problems, but I wanted to get them out of that and into a fun, action-packed adventure. The idea of one last job is a trope, but it meant we could suck them back into a life of crime and lead them. They’re on the side of good, but they can mind their skillset to do cool stuff for good reasons.”
The Bad Guys 2 delivers plenty of action, including set pieces inspired by the Mission: Unachievable franchise. Perifel explained, “I wanted a big globe-trotting adventure and big action sequences and set pieces. Mission: Impossible is the perfect inspiration. The idea wasn’t necessarily to one-up what Tom Cruise does, but it was, ‘How do we use our medium as best we can to mine this genre and go over the top?’ That’s the strength of this franchise. The universe is grounded. It’s stylized, but it’s Los Angeles. our characters are animals,and with animals,you can do whatever you want. You can really push the limits of what you do with these characters.”
Interestingly, the film’s standout lucha libre fight scene was not originally planned. Perifel shared,”That sequence originally was more like a Coachella set piece. Somehow, we couldn’t really make Coachella work. We were stepping on the territory of another movie, so we were like, ‘Okay, let’s change that idea.’ The color palette still remained the same, always. we had been going to an event in LA called Lucha vavoom de La Liz, which is a spiced-up version of Lucha Libre. It made so much sense because it was such a kinetic idea, even more so than the concert. You could imagine these characters in the ring, fighting.You could imagine the crazy fans. It quickly became a no-brainer. It’s so iconic and so fun.”
The Digital release includes over an hour of bonus content, including the animated short “Little Lies and Alibis,” deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes features.
How does pierre Perifel balance the desire for a hand-drawn aesthetic with the efficiencies of digital animation in “The Bad Guys 2”?
Table of Contents
- 1. How does pierre Perifel balance the desire for a hand-drawn aesthetic with the efficiencies of digital animation in “The Bad Guys 2”?
- 2. Pierre Perifel Discusses Animation style and set Construction of “The Bad guys 2”
- 3. Evolving the Visual Language: A Deeper Dive into “The Bad guys” Sequel
- 4. The Influence of UPA and Golden Age Animation
- 5. Set Construction: Blending 2D and 3D Techniques
- 6. Key Software and Tools Used in Production
- 7. The Importance of Line Weight and Texture
- 8. Challenges and Innovations in “2.5D” Animation
Pierre Perifel Discusses Animation style and set Construction of “The Bad guys 2”
Evolving the Visual Language: A Deeper Dive into “The Bad guys” Sequel
Director pierre Perifel has been vocal about his desire to push the boundaries of 2D animation with The Bad Guys 2. Building on the success of the first film, the sequel isn’t simply a continuation of the story, but a purposeful evolution of the established animation style. Perifel’s vision centers around a more dynamic and expressive aesthetic, leaning heavily into a hand-drawn feel despite being created digitally. This approach aims to capture the energy and spontaneity of classic animation while leveraging modern technology for efficiency and visual complexity.
The Influence of UPA and Golden Age Animation
Perifel frequently cites the United Productions of America (UPA) studio and the broader Golden Age of Animation as key inspirations. UPA, known for its stylized designs and limited animation techniques, provided a blueprint for The Bad Guys‘ unique look.
Stylized Character Design: UPA’s emphasis on graphic shapes and simplified forms directly influenced the character designs in both films. The Bad Guys 2 takes this further, experimenting with more exaggerated proportions and dynamic posing.
Abstract Backgrounds: The use of abstract and textured backgrounds, reminiscent of UPA’s work, helps to create a visually rich and immersive world. Perifel’s team has expanded on this, incorporating more painterly textures and atmospheric effects.
Limited Animation Techniques: While The Bad Guys 2 isn’t strictly “limited animation,” it embraces a similar philosophy of prioritizing impactful moments over constant,fluid motion. This allows for a more stylized and energetic feel.
Set Construction: Blending 2D and 3D Techniques
The set construction in The Bad Guys 2 is a captivating blend of 2D and 3D techniques. The team doesn’t build traditional 3D sets and then render them to look 2D. Rather, they utilize 3D software as a tool for creating viewpoint and depth, then paint over the rendered scenes with digital brushes, effectively creating the illusion of a hand-drawn surroundings. This process, frequently enough referred to as “2.5D,” is central to the film’s distinctive visual identity.
Pre-visualization with 3D: Initial set designs are blocked out in 3D to establish camera angles,composition,and spatial relationships. This ensures that the environments are logically consistent and visually engaging.
Digital Painting and Texturing: Once the 3D layout is approved, artists begin to paint over the scene digitally, adding textures, details, and atmospheric effects. This is where the “hand-drawn” aesthetic truly comes to life.
Dynamic Camera Movement: The 3D foundation allows for more complex and dynamic camera movements than would be possible with traditional 2D animation. Perifel utilizes these movements to heighten the sense of energy and excitement.
Key Software and Tools Used in Production
DreamWorks Animation’s proprietary software plays a crucial role in the production pipeline,but several key tools are utilized to achieve the film’s unique look.
- Toon Boom Harmony: Used extensively for character animation and compositing.
- Adobe Photoshop: Essential for digital painting and texturing of sets and backgrounds.
- Maya: Employed for pre-visualization and establishing 3D layouts.
- Unreal Engine: Increasingly used for real-time rendering and virtual production, allowing for faster iteration and more immersive pre-visualization.
The Importance of Line Weight and Texture
Perifel emphasizes the importance of line weight and texture in creating a visually appealing and expressive animation style.
Varying Line Weight: Using different line weights to emphasize form, create depth, and draw the viewer’s eye. Thicker lines are used for outlines and key shapes, while thinner lines are used for details and internal lines.
Painterly Textures: Applying digital textures that mimic traditional painting techniques,such as watercolor,oil paint,and charcoal. This adds a sense of warmth and tactility to the environments.
* Experimentation with Brushstrokes: Encouraging artists to experiment with different digital brushes and techniques to create unique and expressive textures.
Challenges and Innovations in “2.5D” Animation
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