'Finding Nemo 2' Slates Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres to Return!

Excellent news for those that worry a “Finding Nemo” part two may ruin happy  memories of the first film with bad writing and miscasting—three big names from the original movie are set to return!

Albert Brooks is the most notable name to announce he is on board for the sequel. Brooks was allegedly holding out for a larger paycheck, but he must have gotten his wish because he has confirmed he will be returning to voice Marlin, Nemo’s unfunny but adorable clownfish father.

Also returning? Ellen DeGeneres, who played everyone’s favorite fish with short-term memory loss, Dory.

Even better for some, director Andrew Stanton, who helmed the original, is also attached to the project. While his follow-up to the successful “Nemo” was the well-received “WALL-E,” Stanton’s live-action debut “John Carter” was a box office stinker and cost Walt Disney a reported $84 million loss, and fans worried this bust would put him out of favor with Disney.

“Finding Nemo,” however, brought in over $920 million at the box office. It was nominated for four Oscars, and won for Best Animated Film. The American Film Institute has named it one of the 10 best animated films of all time. So he must be forgiven.

It was also the second highest grossing Pixar film—beat only by“Toy Story 3.”

Will the sequel to “Finding Nemo” be able to bring in the same audiences as the “Toy Story” films?

Little is known about the production of “Finding Nemo 2” at this early stage. It is set to be released in 2016, so there is plenty of time for more details to come in.

Are you excited about the news, or is it time for production companies to leave our beloved movies alone and focus on new material?