Miguel Rivera is all grown up in “Coco 2,” and his old nemesis wants payback. Pixar unveiled the first concept art and story details for the sequel Friday night at D23, confirming a November 21, 2029 release date and revealing that the story picks up years after the original with its young hero now a teenager.
The artwork shown at the Anaheim event depicted an older Miguel walking alongside his dog, Dante, sporting a new haircut but still carrying his signature guitar. Benjamin Bratt took the stage to confirm he will reprise his role as Ernesto de la Cruz, the fraudulent musician whose legacy Miguel dismantled at the end of the first film.
Bratt offered a cheeky summary of the sequel’s stakes, describing Miguel as “a little menace who ruined a career and destroyed a legacy” before explaining that Ernesto’s quest for revenge sends the teenager back into the Land of the Dead, where fate forces him to team up with the very man he exposed.
Pixar did not detail how Ernesto survived his apparent death at the close of the original film, when a collapsing bell crushed him after his crimes, including the murder of Miguel’s ancestor Hector, came to light. It also remains unclear whether Hector will return for the sequel, though Bratt’s comments suggest the story will directly confront unresolved threads from Ernesto’s downfall. Anthony Gonzalez’s return as the voice of Miguel has not been confirmed.
Lee Unkrich, who directed the original “Coco,” returns behind the camera alongside Adrian Molina, the first film’s co-writer, with Mark Nielsen producing. The songwriting team behind the original’s Oscar-winning music will contribute new songs for the follow-up. Disney and Pixar first announced the sequel in March 2025, when former CEO Bob Iger revealed the project during a shareholder meeting.
The original “Coco” grossed more than $800 million worldwide following its 2017 release and earned a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Disney is separately building a “Coco”-themed ride at Disney California Adventure, expected to open next year, and the franchise will also appear in “Kingdom Hearts IV” when that game releases in 2027.
