Disney is expanding universe of Monsters, Inc. and Monster University with a brand new animated series on the Disney+ streaming service. Monsters at Work will be a direct sequel to Monsters, Inc,, set after the events of the first film, when the citizens of Monstropolis discover that laughter works better than fright to generate power.
Monsters at Work follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon, an eager young monster who graduated top of his class at Monsters University and always dreamed of becoming a Scarer, until he lands a job at Monsters, Incorporated and discovers that scaring is out and laughter is in.
The cast of voice actors is impressive. Ben Feldman (Richie in Friday the 13th, Travis in Cloverfield, Chris in the Big Hero Six animated series) will be voicing the key role of Tylor Tuskmon. Henry Winkler (Arthur Fonzarelli in Happy Days, Uncle Dieter in Disney’s Vampirina) will be going from Fonz to Fritz, playing a scatterbrained boss at Monsters, Inc.
Billy Crystal (Jodie Dallas in Soap, Lionel Carpenter in Rabbit Test) will return as Mike Wazowski, and John Goodman (Pops in Speed Racer, Pacha in The Emperor’s New Groove and its sequels, William Mulligan in Captive State), as John P. Sullivan, champion Scarer in an industry that no longer needs scarers.
Other workers at the former scream factory will be Lucas Neff (Noodle Burger Boy in Big Hero Six, Joe Foster in Fear, Inc.) as an opportunistic plumber named Duncan. Alanna Ubach (Anne Sullivan in Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves, Mama Imelda in Disney’s award-winning Coco) will feature as Cutter, the officious rule follower.
Fun Fact: Monsters at Work was originally to be released in 2020, and would have been if not for the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.
Well, okay. Maybe not so fun.
Disney announced: “In addition to Crystal and Goodman, returning cast members from the original movies include John Ratzenberger as Yeti and Tylor’s dad, Bernard; Jennifer Tilly as Celia Mae; and Bob Peterson as Roze, twin sister to his original Monsters, Inc. character, Roz. Voicing additional characters are Stephen Stanton as Smitty and Needleman, the bumbling custodial team at Monsters, Inc., and Aisha Tyler as Tylor’s mom, Millie Tuskmon.
Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series was developed and is executive produced by Disney animation veteran Bobs Gannaway.
The new show will premiere on Disney + on July 2, 2021. There is no word yet on whether the shows in the series will go up one per week, or all at once.
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Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
