Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have released the first trailer for The Secret Life of Pets 2. The sequel will feature a few changes and some new additions as well. One of the most notable changes is Patton Oswald stepping in to replace Louis C.K, who voiced Max, the lead dog, in the first film.

Meanwhile, Jenny Slate, Kevin Hart, and Eric Stonestreet are all returning to reprise their respective roles. But the sequel will be making some new additions that include Tiffany Haddish, Nick Kroll, and Pete Holmes. Check out the trailer, below.

It’s only been two years since the first Secret Life of Pets was released. The film, while critically mixed, was a box office smash, grossing $875.5 million worldwide. However, many criticized the film for its lazy echo of the Toy Story franchise. So instead of toys, the film focused on various pets who shed their fur when their human owners are away.

There is no official plot synopsis yet, but one could guess that these pets go out on another adventure while also getting into all sorts of furry trouble. So I am hoping there is more heart and humor to this than what we saw in the first film.

As aforementioned, Oswald takes over the role of Max once voiced by C.K. The move was made after C.K. admitted to sexual misconduct. Universal Pictures and Illumination subsequently fired C.K. after the admission. And the rest is history. But it is not as though Max brought anything to the table.

While the characters and story were lacking, the first film’s animation was something truly special. The cityscapes, lighting, and design brought New York City to life in a very animated way. So, let’s hope we can get more of the same and a story and set of characters with more depth in the sequel.

Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Garth Jennings, Ellie Kemper, Bobby Moynihan, and Harrison Ford also lend their voices to the film.

Written by Brian Lynch (Minions) and helmed by returning director Chris Renaud, The Secret Life of Pets 2 opens in theaters on June 7, 2019.

Trailer

[Source: Universal Pictures YT]