Q

Director Brad Bird on how 'a gumbo of spy movies, superhero things and action movies' inspired Incredibles 2

The Oscar-winning director and writer behind Disney-Pixar's Incredibles 2 talks about how his own childhood and parenting experiences inspired the film.
Incredibles 2 opens in theatres across Canada on Friday, June 15. (Walt Disney Pictures)

Originally published June 15, 2018

Brad Bird is the Oscar-winning director and writer behind animated hits such as The Iron GiantRatatouille and, most recently, Disney-Pixar's Incredibles 2. The long-awaited sequel to The Incredibles has been 14 years in the making, but it picks up right where the first movie left off — following the Parr family as they balance real life with superhero life.


Incredibles 2 may be a story about a family of superheroes trying to find their way in the world, but it's also very much a story about parenthood. That's no surprise because, as Bird tells q's Tom Power, he took inspiration from his own childhood and his own parenting experience to make the film.

In this wide-ranging interview, Bird talks about how his upbringing inspired Incredibles 2, as well as how films like The Jungle Book and Peter Pan shaped his fascination with the magic of animation. Incredibles 2 hits theatres on Friday, June 15. 

Produced by Elaine Chau

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