The Expanding Universe of Animation Franchises: Beyond Sequels and Into Collaborative Production
The animation industry isn’t just creating content; it’s building universes. DreamWorks’ upcoming The Bad Guys 2, slated for release August 1st, isn’t simply a continuation of a successful film – it’s a case study in the evolving pressures and opportunities facing animation studios today. A recent report by PwC projects the global animation market to reach $287.8 billion by 2030, fueled by streaming demand and franchise expansion. But achieving that growth requires more than just a good story; it demands navigating complex production pipelines, managing studio expectations, and embracing collaborative models.
The Sequel Paradox: Elevating Scope Without Losing Soul
Director Pierre Perifel’s comments – “I’m so proud that we managed just to make a sequel that fits in really well with where we left the first one but yet elevates the scope, the look and the size of that the franchise” – encapsulate the core challenge of sequel-making. Audiences crave familiarity, but also demand innovation. The Bad Guys 2 appears to address this by leaning into the action genre, drawing inspiration from franchises like Mission: Impossible and Fast & Furious, while simultaneously grounding the narrative in relatable themes of societal integration and the frustrations of the “nine-to-five” grind. This blend of spectacle and character-driven storytelling is becoming increasingly crucial for sustained success.
Distributed Animation: The Rise of Collaborative Pipelines
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the production of The Bad Guys 2 is the increasing reliance on distributed animation. With Sony Pictures Animation handling 20% of the work, the film exemplifies a growing trend: studios leveraging external partners to manage workload and access specialized expertise. This isn’t without its hurdles. As Perifel notes, “They had to rebuild a lot of things, so that part of it was very challenging.” However, the benefits – increased capacity, diverse artistic perspectives, and potentially reduced costs – are proving too compelling to ignore. This model necessitates robust asset management and seamless pipeline integration, as demonstrated by Imageworks’ approach of creating standalone locations for specific sequences, effectively functioning as “mini-movies within the movie.”
The Co-Director Model: Cultivating Future Leadership
DreamWorks’ decision to elevate JP Sans to co-director is another noteworthy aspect. This practice, designed to develop new directing talent, highlights a proactive approach to leadership succession. Sans’s description of Perifel’s mentorship – “He wanted to expose me to all these different departments…so we could both be on the same page” – underscores the importance of knowledge transfer and collaborative leadership in a complex production environment. This model could become increasingly common as studios seek to retain institutional knowledge and foster a pipeline of skilled directors.
Beyond the Heist: Character Depth and Narrative Evolution
While action and spectacle are important, the success of any franchise hinges on compelling characters. The Bad Guys 2 appears to be deepening the emotional arcs of its core cast, with Snake finding love and Wolf grappling with the challenges of societal acceptance. This focus on character development is crucial for fostering audience investment and driving long-term engagement. The inclusion of new villains – Kitty Kat, Doom, and Pigtail – adds another layer of complexity, promising a dynamic conflict that builds upon the established world.
The Future of Animation: Hybrid Production and Expanded Universes
The production of animation is undergoing a fundamental shift. The days of entirely in-house production are waning, replaced by a hybrid model that embraces collaboration, distributed workflows, and a focus on franchise building. The challenges are real – maintaining artistic consistency, managing complex pipelines, and navigating studio expectations. However, the potential rewards – increased efficiency, access to global talent, and the creation of expansive, interconnected universes – are immense. The success of The Bad Guys 2, and films like it, will serve as a blueprint for the future of the industry, demonstrating how to balance creative vision with the demands of a rapidly evolving market. The integration of real-time rendering technologies, as explored by Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, is also poised to further revolutionize the animation process, offering greater flexibility and visual fidelity. Learn more about Unreal Engine for animation.
What strategies will animation studios employ to navigate this evolving landscape? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
