The Complete Inside Out 2 Cast: 9 Shocking Recasts And New Emotions That Took Over Riley's Mind
The landscape of Riley’s mind underwent a massive demolition and renovation in June 2024, ushering in a whole new crew of emotions to navigate the treacherous waters of adolescence. The film, Inside Out 2, was a critical and commercial success, not just for its insightful portrayal of teenage life, but for its stellar and notably altered voice cast. This comprehensive guide, updated for the current date, breaks down every major voice actor, from the beloved returning veterans to the shocking recasts and the celebrity-voiced newcomers who stole the show.
The sequel saw the original five emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—clash with a new set of complex feelings as Riley turned 13 and entered high school. The casting choices were a major talking point, with three of the original core emotions returning, two being surprisingly recast, and four major new emotions making their unforgettable debut.
The Full Inside Out 2 Voice Cast and Character Roster
The ensemble cast for Inside Out 2 is a mix of comedy legends, Oscar-nominated actors, and rising stars, all bringing a unique vocal energy to the complex inner workings of Riley's mind. Below is the complete list of the main cast, detailing who returned, who was recast, and the fresh voices behind the new emotions.
- Amy Poehler as Joy: The radiant optimist and leader of the original crew returns, with Poehler reprising her iconic, energetic, and bubbly role.
- Phyllis Smith as Sadness: Smith is back as the lovable, empathetic, and often-slumped emotion whose power is finally understood.
- Lewis Black as Anger: The legendary comedian returns as the explosive, short-tempered emotion, providing his signature fiery voice.
- Kensington Tallman as Riley Andersen: The titular human character is now a teenager, and Tallman takes over the role, providing the voice for the now 13-year-old Riley.
- Maya Hawke as Anxiety: The breakout star of the sequel, Anxiety is the hyper-organized, orange-hued, and baggage-carrying new emotion voiced by the acclaimed actress.
- Ayo Edebiri as Envy: Voiced by the Emmy-winning star of The Bear, Envy is a small but powerful emotion who constantly looks at what others have.
- Adèle Exarchopoulos as Ennui: The French actress lends her voice to Ennui, a new emotion representing boredom and listlessness, often seen lounging on a couch and dramatically rolling her eyes.
- Paul Walter Hauser as Embarrassment: Known for his roles in Black Bird and Richard Jewell, Hauser voices the large, hooded, and shy pink emotion who prefers to remain hidden.
- Tony Hale as Fear: In a major recast, Tony Hale (of Arrested Development fame) takes over the role of the perpetually nervous emotion, originally voiced by Bill Hader.
- Liza Lapira as Disgust: Another significant change saw Liza Lapira replace Mindy Kaling as the voice of the sassy, green, and highly critical emotion.
- June Squibb as Nostalgia: A sweet, elderly emotion who appears briefly, voiced by the veteran Oscar-nominated actress.
The Shocking Recast: Why Fear and Disgust Have New Voices
The biggest surprise for fans of the original 2015 film was the recasting of two core emotions: Fear and Disgust. In the first movie, these characters were voiced by comedy heavyweights Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, respectively. For the sequel, the roles were taken over by Tony Hale and Liza Lapira.
The change was reportedly due to salary disputes during the contract negotiations for Inside Out 2. Reports indicated that while Amy Poehler was offered a significant salary increase to return as Joy, the other original voice actors were offered substantially less.
Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader ultimately chose not to return, leading to the search for new voices. Tony Hale, who is famous for his work on Veep and Arrested Development, stepped in as Fear, bringing a slightly different, but equally frantic, energy to the character. Liza Lapira, known for her roles in The Equalizer and NCIS, took on Disgust, maintaining the character’s signature sharp wit and style.
Despite the initial shock, both Hale and Lapira were praised for their performances, seamlessly integrating the characters into the new narrative while honoring the groundwork laid by the original actors.
Meet the New Emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment
The core of Inside Out 2's story revolves around the arrival of a "Puberty Alarm" and the subsequent introduction of a whole new set of complex, teenage emotions. The original emotions, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, suddenly find themselves out of their depth and even locked out of Headquarters by the new, more sophisticated crew.
Anxiety (Maya Hawke)
Anxiety is the de facto leader of the new emotions. Voiced brilliantly by Maya Hawke, the character is a whirlwind of nervous energy, over-planning, and catastrophic thinking. She represents the intense pressure and worry that comes with navigating the social and academic challenges of being a new teenager. Her arrival immediately sets the sequel's high-stakes plot in motion.
Envy (Ayo Edebiri)
Ayo Edebiri’s Envy is a small, teal emotion who is easily impressed and constantly wishes she had what others possess. Edebiri provides a youthful, somewhat naive but intensely focused vocal performance that captures the feeling of comparison and longing so common during adolescence.
Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos)
Voiced with a distinct, world-weary French accent by Adèle Exarchopoulos, Ennui is the personification of profound boredom and apathy. She often operates the console with a dramatic, single press of a button via her phone, perfectly capturing the teenage spirit of being "too cool to care" and utterly unmotivated.
Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser)
Embarrassment, voiced by Paul Walter Hauser, is a massive, gentle giant who is perpetually hunched over and hidden in his orange hoodie. He is a physical manifestation of the overwhelming, often crippling feeling of self-consciousness that defines many teenage experiences. Hauser’s soft, almost whispered delivery underscores the character’s desire to simply disappear.
The Legacy of the Expanded Emotional Cast
The decision to expand the emotional cast was a masterstroke, allowing the film to tackle more mature and nuanced themes like anxiety, self-doubt, and the struggle for identity during puberty. The voice actors for the new emotions—Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Paul Walter Hauser—were universally praised for bringing depth and comedic timing to their roles.
The film's success, driven by this expanded and refreshed cast, cemented Inside Out 2 as one of the most important animated films of 2024. It proved that even with major recasts, a strong, emotionally resonant story and a talented ensemble can successfully explore the complex, ever-changing landscape of the human mind.
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