Pixar Named Peter Sohn Director of The Incredibles 3

The studio announced the new director in June 2025 to lead the upcoming third installment of the popular franchise.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Animation

Pixar Named Peter Sohn Director of The Incredibles 3

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Pixar officially announced Peter Sohn as the director of The Incredibles 3 in June 2025. The film, which was first announced in August 2024, is currently scheduled to debut in theaters on June 16, 2028.

Why it matters

The appointment marks a change in leadership for the franchise, as original director Brad Bird transitions to a writer and producer role. His ongoing involvement ensures creative continuity while Sohn brings his experience from previous Pixar projects to the series.

Peter Sohn previously directed Pixar films including The Good Dinosaur and Elemental. The Incredibles 3 is slated for a theatrical release on June 16, 2028.

The players

Peter Sohn

He is a director at Pixar Animation Studios who previously helmed The Good Dinosaur and Elemental.

Brad Bird

He is a filmmaker who directed the first two films in The Incredibles franchise and serves as a writer and producer for the third movie.

Dana Murray

She is a producer at Pixar Animation Studios assigned to lead the production of The Incredibles 3.

Pixar Animation Studios

This is a prominent American animation studio and a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company known for its computer-animated feature films.

The details

Brad Bird, who directed the first two films in the series, recruited Sohn to Pixar and will continue to guide the new project as a writer and producer. Producer Dana Murray is also attached to the production at Pixar Animation Studios.

Timeline

  1. August 2024: Pixar announced The Incredibles 3 at D23.

  2. June 2025: Pixar announced Peter Sohn as the director.

  3. June 16, 2028: The Incredibles 3 is scheduled for theatrical release.

Industry Dynamics

The transition of directing duties from an original creator to a new talent reflects a common strategy in Hollywood franchises to balance legacy with fresh creative voices. This move helps Pixar maintain the cultural relevance of its established intellectual property during the ongoing competition for theatrical audiences.

Moviegoers can expect a theatrical release for the film in the summer of 2028. This decision keeps the franchise's evolution on the big screen rather than shifting the project to a streaming-exclusive platform.

The takeaway

Franchises often rely on internal talent handoffs to preserve the creative spirit of original works while allowing for stylistic evolution. Fans can anticipate that the collaborative dynamic between a new director and the franchise creator will define the next chapter of this series.

What happens next

The film is confirmed for a theatrical release on June 16, 2028.

Further reading

Explore more developments in the Animation section of our site.

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Does changing a creative director negatively affect the quality of a long-running movie franchise?