Inside Out 2 producer addresses Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader’s exit

As the countdown begins for Inside Out 2's release, some fans may have noticed something different about the cast.

The original movie hit cinemas in 2015 (yes, it was that long ago), with Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler heading the cast as Joy.

Joining Poehler was Lewis Black as Anger, The Office favourite Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, and Bill Hader as Fear.

The original Inside Out cast pictured at the film premiere. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

While Poehler, Black and Smith are all reprising their respective roles - Kaling and Hader are not.

Kaling confirmed that she hadn't signed on for Inside Out 2 last year.

"I had a great time working on Inside Out and am sure Inside Out 2 will be great. But I’m not working on it," she told TheWrap in January.

Kaling failed to share any more details as to why she wasn't returning as Disgust.

Hader isn't also believed to have spoken out on the matter, but there are reports that both the actors' exits stem from contract and pay disputes.

This has not been confirmed, however.

Lisa Lapira has since joined Inside Out 2 as Disgust, with Tony Hale (AKA Toy Story 4's Forky) as Fear.

Lisa Lapira is Inside Out 2's new Disgust. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

Addressing Kaling and Hader's unexpected departure from the franchise, Inside Out 2 producer Mark Nielsen told LADbible: "It's been nine years since that first film, and you try to get their original cast back together, but it doesn't always work out."

"Man, we love Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling," he explained. "They're always going to be part of this Pixar family.

"But we also love Tony Hale, who was also Forky in Toy Story 4, and Lisa Lapira."

Gushing about their new Inside Out recruits, Nielsen continued: "Adding them to the family has been an absolute treasure the last four years. [We've enjoyed] recording them and watching them really grab onto these characters."

Inside Out 2 director Kelsey Mann also weighed in and noted how important it was for them that they 'embodied who the characters were' with Kaling and Hader's replacements.

"I wasn't interested in doing any kind of impressions or anything," he went on. "I think that's what I love about Lisa and Tony: they're just being themselves.

"They just fit the character so well."

Toy Story 4 star Tony Hale is in Inside Out 2. (Michael Tullberg/FilmMagic)

Elsewhere in their conversation with LADbible, Mann and Nielsen explained why we had to wait almost a decade for Inside Out 2.

"It's usually [because of] the idea," said Mann. "Pete Docter, chief creative officer of Pixar and the director on the original film, came to me and he said to me, 'I think they're might be an opportunity there [for a sequel]. I don't have an idea, but I think you might be a good person to go off and think if there is a good idea.'"

Inside Out 2 hits cinemas 14 June, 2024.

Topics: Pixar, Disney, TV and Film, Entertainment, Celebrity

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

@NiamhShackleton