We've known for a while that a Wreck-It Ralph sequel was in the works at Disney, especially because Ralph himself has talked about it several times in the past (that would be John C. Reilly, in case you forgot). But now, announced via a Facebook Live video you can find here – which references Reilly's loose lips – it's officially official and headed our way in 2018.
Rich Moore, who directed the original and returns for the sequel along with Phil Johnston (a writer on the first stepping up to co-direct this one), made the announcement and let Reilly talk up the basic concept: Ralph leaves the arcade, and wrecks the internet. So yes, while we wondered what he had left to wreck after helping to fix his arcade game world in the first film, now we know where he's off to. There's no word yet on whether Sarah Silverman will be back as Vanellope or if any of the other voice cast are returning, but it's a fair bet they will.
The first slice of 8-bit adventure grossed $471m worldwide, a more than respectable return on its $150m+ budget, wowed nostalgic gamers and dazzled kids, so this was hardly a shocker. And for the sequel, there's talk of Moore and co. finally getting Nintendo to let them use Mario and some of the company's other signature characters.
Disney's Feature Animation team has been on a real roll these last few years, and the people behind Ralph know what they're doing, so we're hoping for something fun here. Even if we do have to wait a little longer into 2018 to see it (assuming the Mouse House keeps to its usual trick of releasing its movies here a short while after the US launch.) And the only real loser here? Jack And The Beanstalk re-working Gigantic, which is shifting away from March to a November 2018 slot.