Pixar’s Beloved “Coco” Is Returning With an All-New Adventure in “Coco 2”

There are some Pixar films that simply stay with you long after the credits have finished rolling.

And for many fans, Coco is certainly one of them.

From the colorful world of the Land of the Dead to the emotional story of Miguel and his family, Pixar’s 2017 film became one of the studio’s most cherished modern stories. All while giving us a reminder of just how important family, memories and the people who came before us can truly be.

Now, nearly a decade after we first followed Miguel across the marigold bridge, Pixar is getting ready to take us back.

And Miguel has done some growing up.

During D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney revealed the first concept art for Coco 2, giving fans their first look at a now-teenage Miguel alongside his faithful companion Dante.

Though perhaps more importantly, we finally have a better idea of what will bring Miguel back into the Land of the Dead.

And an old face is apparently looking for a little revenge.

Benjamin Bratt is officially returning as Ernesto de la Cruz, with the actor revealing onstage that the disgraced musician hasn’t exactly forgotten what happened the last time Miguel visited.

According to Bratt, there are those who see Miguel as the young boy who destroyed Ernesto’s career and legacy. Now Ernesto is back for revenge, sending Miguel on another adventure into the Land of the Dead.

But in a rather interesting twist, Miguel may actually have to work alongside the very person causing his latest problems.

Yes, somehow Ernesto de la Cruz and Miguel are going to have to team up.

Considering everything that happened between the pair during the original film, that should certainly make for an interesting reunion.

While Disney isn’t revealing too much more about the story just yet, seeing Miguel as a teenager already gives Coco 2 an opportunity to explore a different point in his life.

The young boy who once desperately wanted his family to understand his love for music is growing up. And with everything Miguel learned about his family, their history and himself during that first journey, there are plenty of places Pixar could take his story next.

Behind the scenes, Coco director Lee Unkrich is also returning to direct the sequel alongside Adrian Molina, bringing some of the original creative team back for Miguel’s next adventure. Pixar veteran Mark Nielsen will produce.

Of course, Coco has quite the legacy to live up to.

Released in 2017, the original film earned more than $800 million around the world and went on to win Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for the unforgettable “Remember Me.”

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

Coco became one of those Pixar films capable of delivering a massive, colorful adventure while telling a deeply personal story about family and remembering those we love. That emotional heart is a large part of what made Miguel’s first journey into the Land of the Dead so memorable in the first place.

Which makes returning to this world both incredibly exciting and perhaps a little emotional already.

We still have quite a wait ahead of us before the marigold bridge opens once more, as Coco 2 is currently set to arrive in theaters in November 2029.

But Miguel and Dante are officially heading back to the Land of the Dead.

And after all these years, we’re certainly ready to remember them once again.