Illumination’s released the first trailer for the upcoming animated sequel, The Secret Life of Pets 2. The new minute and a half trailer focuses on Max (voiced by Patton Oswalt) as he’s tricked into going to see the vet. While in the waiting room, Max discovers his fellow patients have behavioral issues that need adjusting. There’s a hamster who’s frustrated about running in his wheel but never getting anywhere, and a cat isn’t dealing well with his owner constantly throwing out all the presents (dead creatures) he gives her.
Also waiting to see the vet is a very frazzled dog. “My owner always says, ‘You’re such a good dog,’ and I feel like a good dog. But what if deep down I’m a bad dog? What if I’m a bad dog?!”
The sequel’s voice cast includes Patton Oswalt (taking over as Max from Louis C.K.), Lake Bell, Hannibal Buress, Dana Carvey, Harrison Ford, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Pete Holmes, Garth Jennings, Ellie Kemper, Nick Kroll, Bobby Moynihan, Jenny Slate, and Eric Stonestreet.
The Secret Life of Pets director Chris Renaud returned for the sequel. Writer Brian Lynch also returned for the 2019 animated animal-friendly family film. Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy are producing the sequel.
The first film shined a light on what happens to our dogs, cats, bird, fish, and other pets when we leave for work or school. The sequel hasn’t released a detailed synopsis other than to confirm part two also focuses on our pets’ time home alone.
Universal and Illumination are targeting a June 7, 2019 theatrical release. The original animated film opened in theaters on July 8, 2016. Working from a $75 million budget, the first animated movie of the franchise scored a massive $104 million domestic opening weekend. The Secret Life of Pets currently sits in 8th place on the all-time biggest animated films list with a worldwide gross of $875 million.
