Rio 2 gets a cast

ANNE HATHAWAY, JESSE EISENBERG AND THE REST OF THE ORIGINAL GANG ARE BACK FOR THE FOLLOW-UP TO THE 2011 ANIMATED HIT

AN EXCITING LINEUP OF TOP ACTING AND MUSICAL TALENTS JOINS THE ‘RIO’ FAMILY

LOS ANGELES, CA, (February 22, 2013) – The starring voice cast of Twentieth Century Fox’s 2011 animated smash RIO is reuniting for the follow-up, RIO 2, and they are joined by a flock of top actors and musical talents new to the franchise, it was announced today by Vanessa Morrison, president of Twentieth Century Fox Animation. 

The film is now in production at Blue Sky Studios. Twentieth Century Fox’s international rollout begins March 20, 2014, followed by its domestic release on April 11, 2014.

Returning to RIO 2, a world rich with grandeur, character, color and music are Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jemaine Clement, will.i.am, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro, Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto, Jake T. Austin, and Jamie Foxx.

Carlos Saldanha, who was inspired to create RIO based upon his experiences growing up in that city, is back as director, as are producers John C. Donkin and Bruce Anderson. 

In RIO 2 we find Blu, Jewel and their three kids living the perfect domesticated life in that magical city.  When Jewel decides the kids need to learn to live like real birds, she insists the family venture into the Amazon.  As Blu tries to fit in with his new neighbours, he worries he may lose Jewel and the kids to the call of the wild.

Joining the RIO 2 team are Oscar® nominee Andy Garcia, Grammy® winner Bruno Mars, Emmy®/Tony® winner Kristin Chenoweth, Oscar/Emmy®/ Tony®/Grammy® winner Rita Moreno, “The Hunger Games’” Amandla Stenberg, singer/actress Rachel Crow, “Looper’s” Pierce Gagnon, and “Today” news anchor Natalie Morales.

Brazilian music legend and RIO executive music producer, Sergio Mendes returns along with composer John Powell. RIO 2 will feature new Brazilian artists and original music by Janelle Monáe and The Wondaland Arts Society, who also voices a role in the film. Soundtrack will be released on Atlantic Records.

Released worldwide in April 2011, RIO’s global box office tally is $486 million.  It also was a huge hit on DVD and Blu-ray disc.