Will There Be A Brave Sequel? Here's What We Know

(Welcome to Will There Be a Sequel?, a series where we answer that question and explore what comes next.)

"Brave" was released in 2012. Disney and Pixar's animated ode to Scotland was a big hit, as is often the case with their output. Unlike many other Pixar movies that have been successful over the years, we've yet to see a sequel happen. Now, nearly a decade later, we're going to have a look at the prospects of picking up with Merida again in "Brave 2."

"Brave" represents Pixar's first fairytale. It was conceived by Brenda Chapman, who started out as the movie's director, but was later replaced by Mark Andrews following disagreements with the studio. It is set in Scotland and focuses on the young Merida. With a bow in her hand and a head full of luxurious red hair, she is determined to make her own way as part of a royal family.

For those who maybe haven't seen it in a minute, here's the synopsis for "Brave:"

Merida, an impulsive young lady and daughter to King Fergus and Queen Elinor, is determined to carve her own path in life. Defying the age-old and sacred customs, Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury with the other Scottish Lords, and in the process she stumbles upon an eccentric and wise old woman who grants her ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the true meaning of bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it's too late.

There has been some very loose talk of a "Brave" sequel over the years. But by no means has anything concrete been laid out. Back in 2013, shortly after the movie was released, Mark Andrews explained that he'd be interested in revisiting that world, if the right story came along.

"If we got the right story it would be fun — to get the gang back together again, add a few more new characters and find out what other Scottish talents are out there that might want to do a animated fun. I don't know if there will be another one. We never make a film at Pixar to have a sequel."

More recently, Pixar's Jim Morris emphasized in 2016 in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the studio is more about filmmakers. It's not always about chasing a sequel to a successful film.

"Most studios jump on doing a sequel as soon as they have a successful film, but our business model is a filmmaker model, and we don't make a sequel unless the director of the original film has an idea that they like and are willing to go forward on."

Aside from the lack of talk in the press, most of the creative team has moved on. Brenda Chapman directed last year's "Come Away" and is currently working on "Ghost Squad." Mark Andrews, meanwhile, is away from Pixar and working on Netflix's "Super Giant Robot Brothers," which is expected to arrive in 2022. Beyond the creative team, Pixar's schedule is full through 2022, with both "Turning Red" and "Lightyear" on deck.

This to say, "Brave 2" doesn't seem to be happening. At least not any time soon. Though, with the advent of Disney+, a continuation of the franchise, in some way, shape or form, doesn't seem altogether unlikely.