Disney and Pixar are almost ready to release Hoppers, Pixar’s 29th original film and their first new movie since Elio came out in June 2025. The film is directed by Daniel Chong, known for creating the popular animated series We Bare Bears and having worked on 10 Pixar films, including the upcoming Toy Story 5 and Incredibles 3 – the latter of which is progressing well. Starring Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, and a Hollywood legend, Hoppers tells the story of scientists who figure out how to transfer their minds into realistic robotic animal bodies.
Though Hoppers was officially announced in 2024, the film had been in development since 2020 and went through many changes. Before the movie came out, Joe Deckelmeier from MovieWeb interviewed director Daniel Chong, who mentioned that veteran DC writer and Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof received a “Special Thanks” credit. Chong recalled Lindelof spending a day with him and his team in 2020, helping them brainstorm plot ideas and sharing his creative process. Chong praised Lindelof’s assistance and was impressed by his approach to storytelling for the film.
I remember right at the start of the pandemic, the story was completely different – honestly, there were even beavers involved at one point! We hadn’t found a writer yet and were really just brainstorming, trying to get some direction. Luckily, Damon Lindelof was free – everyone was home then, of course. He was kind enough to spend a day with us, and it helped that he actually knew our show, ‘We Bare Bears,’ because he’d watched it with his son. The whole session was over Zoom, but what struck me most wasn’t necessarily what he said, but just how he approached everything. It was fascinating to see his creative process in action.
I showed him all the materials we had, explaining what each piece was and admitting I wasn’t sure how they all fit together. It was amazing to watch him, a true storyteller, immediately start connecting the dots. He’d say, ‘If you have these elements, then this will happen,’ and quickly outline a possible narrative, suggesting what might have occurred previously and what could happen next. He essentially mapped out the entire story for me. Although the final movie differed, it revealed his unique thought process. I’d never witnessed anyone approach storytelling with such clarity and speed. It was a real gift to see him model that kind of thinking, and it’s something I’ve never forgotten. I was so glad we could acknowledge his contribution in the film’s credits.
As a huge fan of smart storytelling, I’ve always been impressed with Damon Lindelof’s work. Besides co-creating the incredible series Lost (which rightfully won an Emmy!), he’s become a key player in the DC Universe. He completely blew me away with his limited series Watchmen in 2019 – he wrote it, created it, and ran the whole show! Now, he’s teaming up with James Gunn and Peter Safran at DC Studios to develop Lanterns, which is heading to HBO Max later this year, and I’m already excited!
Damon Lindelof’s Impact on Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
It’s a huge benefit to have a writer of his caliber working on the project – he’s one of the most successful TV and film writers of recent years. His impressive work on shows like The Leftovers and Star Trek speaks for itself, and his strong storytelling skills make him a valuable asset to Pixar’s new movie.
Lindelof has some surprising experience with animation, having written the screenplay for the 2011 film Cowboys & Aliens and even contributed an episode to the popular Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb. Considering his background in science fiction, he seems like a great fit for a sci-fi movie like Hoppers.
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The full extent of Lindelof’s contribution to the new Pixar film, Hoppers, won’t be known until it’s released, leaving audiences curious about the story elements he shaped. Despite this mystery, it’s evident Pixar invested heavily in making Hoppers a major success. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on March 6, 2026.
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2026-01-28 17:49