Netflix and Sony Animation Announce 'The Mitchells vs. the Machines 2' With New Directors and Writers
Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation have officially begun development on The Mitchells vs. the Machines 2, a sequel to the 2021 Oscar-nominated animated hit. The upcoming film will be directed by Guillermo Martinez and JP Sans, with production scheduled to start in early 2026.
Netflix and Sony Animation are developing ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines 2,’ directed by Guillermo Martinez and JP Sans, set for 2026 production.
Netflix
Martinez, who served as head of story for the original Mitchells vs. the Machines, makes his directorial debut with the sequel. Sans, known for co-directing The Bad Guys 2, joins him at the helm. The screenplay is being written by Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, the sister writing duo behind The Great North.
Netflix will once again distribute the animated feature as part of its ongoing partnership with Sony Pictures Animation. Both studios are reportedly aiming for a closer creative collaboration on the sequel than they had on the original.
The first Mitchells vs. the Machines premiered on Netflix after Sony sold the project to the streamer for over $100 million following pandemic-related delays. Initially titled Connected and slated for theatrical release in 2020, the film became one of Netflix’s most acclaimed animated releases. It went on to win eight Annie Awards, including Best Animated Feature, and received an Academy Award nomination in the same category.
The original film followed the eccentric Mitchell family as they embarked on a cross-country road trip to drop off their daughter Katie at film school. Their plans unraveled when a rogue AI named PAL led a robot uprising, forcing the family to become humanity’s unlikely saviors.
Producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller return under their Lord Miller banner, alongside Kurt Albrecht for Sony Pictures Animation. Original director and co-writer Mike Rianda joins the project as an executive producer, along with Aditya Sood of Lord Miller.
Martinez previously worked on Laika’s Missing Link and contributed to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and KPop Demon Hunters. Sans brings experience from DreamWorks Animation, where he worked on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken, and Trolls World Tour.
