Inside Out 2: Did Pixar Cut a Crucial Emotion? Deleted Scene Exclusive!

"Inside Out 2" Almost Featured Shame, But Pixar Decided to Simplify

Pixar’s "Inside Out 2" brought back Riley’s inner emotions as she navigated the ups and downs of adolescence, but early plans for the sequel included more than just the arrival of Anxiety. The filmmakers initially considered introducing two new emotions—Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, and Shame. While the final film focused on Anxiety’s journey, fans can now get a glimpse of what Shame would have looked like in an exclusive deleted scene.

Key Takeaways:

• "Inside Out 2" originally planned to introduce nine new emotions, including Shame. This was deemed overwhelming for both the audience and the character of Joy.
• Shame was conceptualized as a beautiful woman with long flowing hair that grew stringier as Riley’s sense of shame intensified. While the film never made it to the casting stage for Shame, the voiceover in the deleted scene bears a striking resemblance to Joan Cusack.
• The deleted scene shows Shame and Anxiety working as a pair, with Shame’s overwhelming presence causing a storm inside Riley’s mind. Ultimately, the filmmakers opted to simplify the film, focusing on Anxiety and her unique challenges.

A Glimpse of Shame in a Deleted Scene

The deleted scene takes place at a party where Riley, now a teenager, finds herself caught in a "Never Have I Ever" game that triggers her feelings of Shame. The scene highlights the concept that Shame can be self-imposed and self-perpetuating, with "a feeling that you’re not good enough, that feeling that you’re really hard on yourself," as director Kelsey Mann describes it. However, instead of a "shame spiral," the final film replaced this with a panic attack fueled by Anxiety.

"There is an element here that is still in the final film, but rather than a shame spiral, we ended up making it really about Anxiety," Mann explains. "It just simplified the film and put the focus on one character — the character of Anxiety, versus having this split focus between Anxiety and Shame."

The Decision to Simplify

While the inclusion of Shame might have presented a compelling exploration of adolescent insecurities, the filmmakers ultimately decided to refine the story, focusing on the impact of Anxiety on Riley’s journey. Mann admits, "It was ridiculous. There were so many [new emotions]. I wanted Joy to feel overwhelmed."

"I overwhelmed her with all these new emotions showing up," he continues. "And not only did I overwhelm Joy, I overwhelmed the audience. There were too many. Anxiety was always there. She was one of the nine that showed up. But the first note I got was, ‘That’s fantastic, but there’s so much noise around her that you’re losing your focus.’ So, I ended up stripping it down to the emotions that we have now in the final film."

Will Shame Ever See the Light of Day?

Despite being left out of the final "Inside Out 2" film, the possibility of Shame appearing in future Pixar projects remains open. With Pixar’s history of creating compelling sequels and spinoffs, it’s not far-fetched to imagine a story centered on Riley’s experience with Shame or even a broader exploration of different emotions within the world of "Inside Out."

For now, fans can enjoy the deleted scene and the final film’s focus on Anxiety, appreciating the depth and humor the filmmakers brought to Riley’s journey through the tumultuous world of adolescence. "Inside Out 2" is available on digital on August 20th, offering a chance to revisit the film and explore the bonus content containing the deleted scene and other behind-the-scenes insights.

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