Finding Nemo Sequel Confirmed by Ellen DeGeneres to Have Animal Rights and Environmental Themes
Those who enjoyed Pixar’s animated film “Finding Nemo” were thrilled to find out that the movie’s sequel would be coming out next summer, focused on a fan-favorite character: Dory. However, the good news is not just limited to the fans of the original film-it goes well beyond and reaches animal rights activists across the globe as well.
Ellen DeGeneres, who provides the voice for the lovable fish Dora, has confirmed that the sequel will have a stark anti-SeaWorld message, with an overall theme about rehabilitating marine life and releasing them back into the wild. DeGeneres stated:
“I think that fish should be in the ocean. It’s what this whole sequel is about: It’s about rehabilitation and putting them back in the ocean…and we have to protect our oceans. Hopefully that discussion starts with this film, because we really need to protect that environment.”
Pixar has released many popular animated movies, featuring complex yet necessary themes for younger audiences as well as adults to think about. “WALL-E” for example, which follows a small robot in the distant future, covers messages surrounding waste, pollution, the environment, greed, and free will. After a wake up call for “Finding Dory”, it seems that Pixar will continue in their tradition of keeping important and timely messages alive in their films.
Originally, the ending of “Finding Dory” actually took place in a marine park similar to SeaWorld, until the director of the documentary “Blackfish”, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, initiated a screening for Pixar executives in early 2013. After the screening, Pixar President Jim Morris stated that the film itself would be based at the Marine Biology Institute of California instead.
“Blackfish” raised awareness on the treatment of marine animals in aquatic parks such as SeaWorld, and activists believe it was a factor in causing SeaWorld’s decrease in terms of net income as well as in audience attendance. If an animal rights documentary is capable of that, only time will tell what a movie like “Finding Dory”, which appeals to everyone-activists and beyond, will be capable of after its release on June 17, 2016.
Photo Credit: http://www.artwithimpact.org/image/marlin-doryjpg
