Who's in the Inside Out 2 cast?
Meet the voice actors in the Pixar sequel
Inside Out 2 boasts one of Pixar's most star-studded casts to date, including actors from Stranger Things, The Bear and Cruella.
The record-breaking sequel, which is streaming online now, is set inside the mind of teenager Riley as she juggles emotions like Joy, Anger and Sadness before starting high school.
The cast is packed with returning stars who appeared in 2015's original Inside Out, while a few actors have been recast. The follow-up also introduces new names to the animated franchise, thanks to the addition of four extra emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment.
But who are the stars, and which characters do they voice? As Pixar dives back into messy world of our feelings, here's everything you need to know about the Inside Out 2 voice cast.
Which actors are back for Inside Out 2?
The cast of Inside Out 2 is led by Amy Poehler, who returns to voice the perky, blue-haired Joy. The actor rose to fame on Saturday Night Live, but she is likely best known to UK audiences as Leslie Knope in mockumentary Parks & Recreation.
The US Office's Phyllis Smith and comedian Lewis Black reprise their roles as Sadness and Anger retrospectively.
Twin Peaks legend Kyle MacLachlan and Man of Steel's Diane Lane are back as the parents of Riley, the film's teenage protagonist, as she grapples with her warring emotions.
Other returning stars include The Muppets' Frank Oz, Monsters University actor Bobby Moynihan, and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea.
John Ratzenberger also pops up in Inside Out 2, voicing Fritz. The actor has had roles in almost every Pixar film since 1995's Toy Story, and is considered the studio's "good-luck charm".
Which Inside Out stars were recast?
Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader are not part of the sequel, despite starring in the original Inside Out.
The Equalizer's Liza Lapira replaces Kaling as the voice of Disgust, while Tony Hale provides the voice of Fear, instead of Hader. Hale is no stranger to the Pixar universe after playing Forky in Toy Story 4.
It's unclear why Kaling and Hader were recast, although reports have pointed to alleged disputes over their salaries. Producer Mark Nielson told LADbible that Pixar tried "to get their original cast together" but said "it doesn't always work out", without going into any detail.
Child actor Kensington Tallman is the new voice behind Riley, taking over from Kaitlyn Dias,.
Which actors are new to the franchise?
Four new emotions are part of the gang in Inside Out 2. Stranger Things' Maya Hawke voices the jittery orange antagonist, Anxiety, while The Bear's Ayo Edebiri has a scene-stealing turn as Envy.
French actor Adèle Exarchopoulos brings Ennui to life, and Cruella's Paul Walter Hauser voices Embarrassment.
Community's Yvette-Nicole Brown plays Riley's hockey coach, while Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green and Grace Lu provide the vocals for her best pals. Her new school's star hockey player is voiced by Lilimar Hernandez.
Oscar nominee June Squibb, who previously voiced characters in Soul and Toy Story 4, plays Nostalgia. Saturday Night Live's James Austin Johnson is another newcomer to the cast, as is YouTube creator Yong Yea.
Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson has a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo as a security guard.
Who directed Inside Out 2?
Inside Out 2 was helmed by first-time director Kelsey Mann, who previously worked on Pixar films The Good Dinosaur, Monsters University, Lightyear and Onward.
Pixar's chief creative officer Pete Docter, who directed the original film, served as executive producer. He also helmed Monsters, Inc., Up and Soul, three of the studio's most beloved releases.
The script was penned by Meg LeFauve, who co-wrote the first Inside Out with Josh Cooley and Docter.
The long-awaited sequel was officially announced in 2022, following years of speculation.
Read more: Will Inside Out 3 happen?
Docter first discussed the prospect of a follow-up in 2015, saying: "Never say never." In 2016, he said he would "explore" possible ideas for Inside Out 2 and "see what happens".
Fans' hopes were dashed when Pixar announced it would focus on developing original films, rather than sequels, after the release of 2019's Toy Story 4.
But the studio changed tack by releasing a Toy Story spin-off, Lightyear, in 2022, paving the way for both Inside Out 2 and Toy Story 5 to enter production.
Inside Out 2 is available to buy or rent on digital download.
