Monsters Inc. prequel to be directed by CCAD alumnus

Alumnus Dan Scanlon has been chosen to direct Pixar's Monsters University.

In a bit of you-heard-it-here-first news, Illustration alumnus Dan Scanlon (CCAD 1998) has just confirmed that he will direct Monsters University, a prequel to Pixar’s 2001 hit Monsters Inc.

“Yup, I'm directing MU,” he wrote to us in an email. And while he can’t do an interview (yet), Scanlon and the 2013 film are being talked about all-over the cyber world.

Cole Abaius of the blog Film School Rejects writes, “This will be Scanlon’s first feature film, but he has a writing credit on Cars, a co-director credit on the short Mater and the Ghostlight, and he’s acted as a storyboard artist on several project. It’s difficult to say what kind of job Scanlon will do with Monsters University, but he’s got the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the Pixar team.”

Kevin Jagernauth of the IndieWire Blog Network wrote, “Walt Disney has announced that Dan Scanlon will helm the film that will track Mike and Sully during their days at the University of Fear, telling the story of how they start off as enemies but soon become friends. As per usual with Pixar’s hiring process, they’ve tapped a longtime colleague for the job. … And while it’s his first feature length animated film, he’ll undoubtedly have the strong team of the studio behind him every step of the way.”

On the blog Pixar Planet, a poster wrote, “A rising star at Pixar has taken his talents to new heights. It was confirmed today that Dan Scanlon is currently directing Monsters University…Not only is he talented, but he’s also a genuinely nice guy. It will definitely be interesting to see his take on the monster world.”

And while you anxiously await the opening of the film—and the chance to reconnect with Mike, Sully, and the gang—keep following CCAD News for the updates.