Bolster Your Firewalls: Wreck-It Ralph Wrecks the 'Net in 2018

In an announcement today from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the sequel to 2012's WRECK-IT RALPH is coming to theaters on March 9th, 2018!

Moving on from the arcade, Ralph and Venellope von Schweetz will be racing along the information highway via the internet. John C. Reilly and Sara Silverman are slated to return to voice their lovable, yet flawed, characters.

The movie will be directed by Rich Moore (ZOOTOPIA) and Phil Johnston (writer: ZOOTOPIA, WRECK-IT RALPH), and produced by Clark Spencer (ZOOTOPIA, BOLT) has yet to be given an official name.

Here are a few statements from their announcement on Facebook Live today:

“From the moment we started working on the first ‘Wreck-It Ralph,’ we knew there were so many possibilities with these characters,” said Moore, who has been developing it since shortly after the release of the first film, and while directing this year’s critically-acclaimed hit “Zootopia” with Byron Howard. “This time, Ralph’s wrecking wreaks havoc on the Web—as only he can do. Characters we loved in the first film are back and we are ecstatic to be working with them—and the actors who voice them—once again.”

“The world of the internet is the perfect place to send Ralph and Vanellope,” said Johnston. “The scope and scale are so vast and the possibilities for comedy are endless.”

“Ralph is a character very near and dear to my heart,” added Reilly. “I'm really looking forward to playing the big lug again. Making the first ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ was one of the most special experiences I've ever had and I'm really looking forward to bringing him back to life. So many kids I've met all over the world are excited to see him again, too. They tell me all the time!”

When “Wreck-It Ralph” opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Nominated for an Oscar® and Golden Globe® for best animated feature, “Wreck-It Ralph” won the PGA Award for outstanding producer of an animated theatrical motion picture as well as five Annie Awards, including best animated feature, director, cast and screenplay. The film was named best animated feature by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, earned outstanding achievement in casting for an animated feature by the Casting Society of America, and won the Kids’ Choice Award for favorite animated movie.

The announcement comes with a caveat. The animated feature GIGANTIC, originally announced as Disney’s March 9, 2018, release, will be released on November 21, 2018.

WRECK-IT RALPH was a touching, yet funny, tale of a bad guy turned good. The voice casting of John C. Reilly couldn't have been more perfect as he delivers the necessary tone for the destroyer of games, while remaining innocent and good-hearted. Ralph was simply a misunderstood character but he did his job well and only lacked the recognition he felt was deserved. His pairing with the high octane Venellope, voiced by Silverman, is comedy gold. Hopefully she finds some fiber-optics because she'll need a high powered connection to keep up with her speed!

Judging by the promotional image, they intend to have a time poking fun at the virtual world, starting with 'Gugle', and 'Amazing' (which includes the 'Amazon' smile). The material practically writes itself and it's sure to be an excellent addition to the lore.

I can't wait to see how he translates to the internet. So build up your firewalls, secure your servers and lock down your hard drives...because the net is about to get rekt!