Benjamin Bratt will return as Ernesto de la Cruz in the upcoming Pixar sequel "Coco 2," Disney said this month.
The return of the antagonist marks a significant expansion of the franchise's narrative. By bringing back a central figure from the original film, Pixar can explore the lingering consequences of the first movie's conflict while evolving the story for a new era.
The announcement took place on stage at Disney's D23 Expo 2026. The sequel will shift its focus to the protagonist, Miguel, now portrayed as a teenager [1]. This time jump allows the filmmakers to explore the challenges of adolescence within the cultural framework established in the first installment.
Bratt's role as the iconic antagonist will be central to the plot [1]. While specific story details remain under wraps, the confirmation of his return suggests that the legacy of Ernesto de la Cruz continues to impact the living and the dead.
Disney has scheduled the film for release in November 2029 [2]. Some reports list the release generally for 2029 [3], but the more specific window points to a late-year premiere. This timeline provides Pixar several years to develop the animation and script for the sequel.
The D23 Expo serves as the primary venue for Disney to reveal its long-term slate. The "Coco 2" reveal was part of a broader series of updates regarding the studio's future animated projects [4].
“Benjamin Bratt will return as Ernesto de la Cruz in the upcoming Pixar sequel "Coco 2."”
The decision to age Miguel into a teenager and revive the antagonist suggests Pixar is moving away from a simple retelling of the first film's themes. By returning to the character of Ernesto de la Cruz, the studio is leveraging established character dynamics to build a more complex narrative about legacy and redemption, while targeting a slightly older demographic through the protagonist's growth.
