Pixar’s upcoming animated film Hoppers, set for release on March 6, 2026, introduces audiences to a unique story where a girl named Mabel finds herself inside the mind of a robotic animal, opening a new world beneath everyday life. One standout character, Titus, the privileged son of the Insect Queen, will be voiced by Dave Franco, whose selection for the role was described as a clear and easy decision by director Daniel Chong. This film combines a quirky premise with strong vocal performances, positioning it as a hopeful turning point for Pixar’s original stories.
How Dave Franco Was Chosen to Voice Titus
According to Daniel Chong, Dave Franco’s casting for the role of Titus was an effortless choice. The selection process included a blind test where clips of potential actors were played alongside the character’s image. Chong explained,
“It was kind of a no-brainer. I mean, whenever we cast, we have, like, top names, and then we do a blind taste test with our leadership, with Pete. We have the character up on the screen, and then we play, like, clips of them from other movies just to see is that going to sound right,”
Chong said.
“Dave Franco, by far, was like, that is the guy. We kind of knew it already. We were hoping that everybody would be on board with him, so we just offered him the role, and, man, he killed it.”
Franco’s performance demanded high energy and intensity, often requiring him to yell and project with broad emotion during recording sessions. Chong recalled the physical toll on the actor:
“It was a high-octane performance we required of him, and he was sweating so much between takes because he had to yell and scream and be like, broad. And I remember, like, I felt like I had to apologize to him afterwards, like profusely, because I was like, I’m so sorry we put you through that,”
he said.
“It’s so intense, but he was just so, so happy to do it, and so generous with the performance. And, yeah, he definitely came back for more.”
Hoppers’ Place in Pixar’s Recent Film Landscape
Pixar has experienced both critical and commercial highs and lows with its original films in recent years. Although Inside Out 2 and the forthcoming Toy Story 5 are expected to perform exceptionally well, recent standalone movies have struggled to find the same breakthrough success. Titles like Elemental and Elio, while generally well-received, didn’t achieve significant box office impact, and Lightyear fell short of expectations.
Despite this, films such as Turning Red and Soul have become fan favorites, with Soul often cited as one of Pixar’s finest works. Hoppers arrives with growing excitement from fans, eager to see the studio explore a more eccentric and humor-driven story. Early reviews praise the film’s comedy and wild entertainment style as well as the performances of the voice cast, including Dave Franco’s portrayal of Titus.
Chris Killian of ComicBook called it
“one of the best non-sequels Pixar has made in a minute,”
while many critics have dubbed it one of the funniest movies in Pixar’s history, recognizing a new level of bold humor. If Hoppers succeeds with audiences, it could signal a shift toward more adventurous and offbeat original films from Pixar, potentially revitalizing their creative approach.
Audience Excitement and Anticipation Ahead of Release
The anticipation surrounding Hoppers continues to build, with the film’s March 6, 2026 theatrical debut eagerly awaited by fans. Pixar’s reputation for combining heartfelt storytelling with innovative animation raises expectations that this comedy will offer a fresh, engaging experience. The intriguing character dynamics, like the royal bug family including Titus, voiced by Dave Franco, add layers of humor and excitement to the film.
This release could also influence the studio’s future projects, encouraging more creative risk-taking and unique narratives. The positive early reception suggests that Hoppers may be the original Pixar hit that fans have been waiting for, restoring enthusiasm for new, imaginative cinematic adventures beyond beloved franchises.
