Pixar, renowned for its mastery of computer animation and masterful storytelling demonstrated in films like "A Bug's Life," "Ratatouille," and the "Toy Story" saga, has once again captivated critics with its latest adventure, "Hoppers." This new film, described as a laugh-out-loud comedy with a profound heart, has garnered widespread acclaim even before its theatrical release. Collider's Steve Weintraub had the opportunity to speak with director Daniel Chong and producer Nicole Paradis Grindle, delving into the film's ambitious production, its captivating story, and the numerous hidden Easter eggs fans can anticipate.

"Hoppers" introduces audiences to Mabel, an animal-lover voiced by Piper Curda, who discovers a groundbreaking technology allowing humans to transfer their consciousness into robotic animals. This innovative tool becomes crucial in her mission to thwart Mayor Jerry Generazzo (voiced by Jon Hamm), who plans to construct a freeway through a vital local glade. Mabel utilizes the technology to befriend the indigenous animal population, rallying them to collectively oppose the impending threat. The film boasts an impressive voice cast, including Bobby Moynihan, Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco, and Academy Award winner Meryl Streep.

During their conversation, Chong and Grindle emphasized why "Hoppers" stands as one of Pixar's most ambitious projects to date. The sheer scope of the film, particularly the vast array of character types, presented significant technical challenges. Unlike typical animations, "Hoppers" features an extensive cast of diverse animal body shapes—including birds, snakes, characters walking on two legs, four legs, and even both, alongside humans and fish. This complexity required a versatile animation team capable of adapting to numerous body types and animation styles, a formidable undertaking that most productions would typically avoid. Despite the immense "heavy lift," the studio and production team embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, rallying together to bring their vision to life.

Grindle highlighted the remarkable advancements in animation technology, stating that the studio now feels capable of achieving "everything." This sentiment suggests that the primary challenge for Pixar has shifted from technical feasibility to the art of storytelling itself. The team relished the technical demands of "Hoppers," which included managing 35 different body types, animating huge crowds where individual characters are actively performing, and rendering complex effects like fire, water, and even seagulls lifting a shark. This collective optimism and belief in their ability to "figure it out" mirrors a core message within the film's narrative: a spirit of collaboration and resilience in overcoming obstacles.

The discussion also touched upon the possibility of a "Ratatouille" sequel, a film both Chong and Grindle hold in high regard (Grindle having worked on it). While they understand the value of continuing stories, Chong admitted he would decline the task of writing a "Ratatouille" sequel, finding it a tough challenge to envision where to take the beloved story. Grindle agreed, advocating for certain films like "WALL-E" and "Ratatouille" to remain standalone masterpieces. Furthermore, the filmmakers addressed the ongoing fan theories about a connected Pixar universe. While not consciously designing "Hoppers" to fit into such theories, they acknowledged an Easter egg in the film, specifically a "certain thing towards the end with a collar," which might lead fans to speculate about connections, potentially requiring a "time machine" in a future movie to reconcile various timelines.

True to Pixar tradition, "Hoppers" is rich with Easter eggs and subtle nods for keen-eyed viewers. Daniel Chong revealed several during the interview:

• Early in the film, the turtle Mabel attempts to save is named Crush, a direct homage to "Finding Nemo."
• Mabel's room is a treasure trove of references, including a nod to "Coco" and a surprising mention of "Toy Story 5."
• A very subtle, blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to Chong's previous work, "We Bare Bears," is embedded in a shot where the modeled bears are hidden. This is intentionally difficult to spot and likely requires freeze-framing.
• A particularly heartfelt homage is paid to Ralph Eggleston, a revered Pixar director and production designer who passed away. In the council scene where animals are muttering, a quick cut reveals the three distinctive birds from the Oscar-winning short "For the Birds." The original models from the "Monsters Inc. era" were too old, so the team painstakingly remodeled them to honor Eggleston, showcasing the deep care and love infused into the film's production.

"Hoppers" is now playing in theaters, inviting audiences to discover its story and its many hidden gems.