The much-awaited sequel to "Finding Nemo" is slated to hit theaters next summer, and its star, Ellen DeGeneres, happily revealed details to "Finding Dory."
Speaking before the audience in the D23 Expo, the annual Disney event, DeGeneres couldn't contain her excitement over the latest news. "This is so exciting for me," she remarked, according to USA Today. "I'm so proud of this film. I'm so excited for you to see this."
In addition to Ellen, who voices the forgetful but well-loved fish, Dory, the movie's three new cast members also appeared on stage and was introduced to the audience for the first time.
"Modern Family" stars Ed O'Neill and Ty Burrell walked on stage amidst the cheers from the audience. O'Neill will be playing Hank, the octopus with only seven legs, while Burrell will be voicing Bailey, a beluga whale.
Kaitlin Olson from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" is also joining the cast as Destiny, a whale shark. "[Destiny] does not like to be thought of as shark, she just wants to a whale, sharks are scary, she doesn't want to be scary," the actress said in an interview with ScreenSlam.
While not present at the event, Dory's parents will also be part of the story. They will be voiced by Diane Keaton as Jenny, Dory's mom, and Eugene Levy as Charlie, Dory's dad.
The plot of the sequel will be a reunion with Dory's family in Monterey, California, which doesn't go according to plan, according to Variety.
Nemo (Hayden Rolence) and Merlin (Albert Brooks) from the original film will still be part of the sequel, according to Consequence of Sound. Gill (William DaFoe), who met Nemo while he was trapped in the aquarium at the dentist's clinic in the first movie, will also be a part of the film.
The news outlet also noted that the second movie will be set six months after the end of "Finding Nemo." Dory will be housed in an ocean sanctuary, where she will meet the new sea creatures.
"I wanted to know that if this charming forgetful fish ever got lost again, that she would be okay, that she would find her way home," said Andrew Stanton, the film's director via Consequence of Sound. "And at the end of Finding Nemo, I wasn't confident about that. So that's when I knew I had another story," he added.
"Finding Dory" will be in theaters on June 17, 2016.
Watch as Ellen introduces the new cast members of "Finding Dory" at the D23 Expo and take a look at the initial images of the animated movie:
