The Art of Ralph Breaks the Internet

[–] Jessica Julius Author

Wreck-It Ralph was the story of two misfits who find friendship with each other. How did the Internet setting of the new film drive how you developed them and our other friends from the first film?

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[–] Phil Johnston Director

We wanted to test Ralph and Vanellope’s friendship, to throw stuff in their way to see if they could stay friends despite the obstacles. The Internet is so big and complicated that they and the other characters have to grow to meet its challenges.

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[–] Rich Moore Director

There is a lot of good and a lot of bad in the Internet. It’s an environment that can be dangerous for a young person like Vanellope or for a person who is insecure the way Ralph is. Any wedge that could test their friendship exists in this world.

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[–] Jessica Julius Author

What design changes did you make to update the original characters for the new film?

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[–] Cory Loftis Production Designer

One advantage of a sequel is that Ralph, Vanellope, Felix, Calhoun, and their games were already designed. But Wreck-It Ralph was a long time ago in terms of filmmaking technology.

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[–] Scott Kersavage Visual Effects Supervisor

We had to update all the characters and environments to work with our new Hyperion renderer and rigging tools, yet make sure that the characters still look like themselves.

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[–] Cory Loftis Production Designer

With earlier technologies, skin can sometimes look gray, like there’s no blood going through it. With Hyperion, the characters’ skin feels alive.

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[–] Ami Thompson Art Director, Characters

All the characters got updates to their clothing and hair. There were a lot of seemingly small changes that add up to a richer, more believable feeling to the characters.

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RALPH & VANELLOPE

[–] Jessica Julius Author

What specific obstacles did the Internet allow you to throw in Ralph and Vanellope’s way in order to challenge their friendship?

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[–] Rich Moore Director

When they get to the Internet, Ralph and Vanellope realize they want different things. And the people they meet in this new world reinforce their differences. That’s something that’s very true about the Internet; it’s a great connector but it can also be a divider.

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[–] Phil Johnston Director

The metaphor we used is two best friends from a small town who go to the big city and suddenly realize there is something else out there. They discover their different needs could potentially drive them apart. But ultimately, they learn that friendships can change and the good ones get better for it.

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LITWAK’S ARCADE

[–] Jessica Julius Author

Ralph Breaks the Internet begins with our old friends in Litwak’s Arcade. What updates did you make to Mr. Litwak and the arcade?

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[–] Ami Thompson Art Director, Characters

Mr. Litwak is older—he has more white hair, more wrinkles—but he still loves the arcade.

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[–] Matthias Lechner Art Director, Environments

Like Litwak himself, the arcade has aged. It’s six years older, so it’s a little grungier. The main update is that he’s installing a Wi-Fi router because he thinks having the Internet will bring in more customers.

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Kevin Nelson, Visual Development Artist

Litwak’s office is full of funny, weird stuff: embarrassing old posters, his “CEO” coffee mug, collectible plates. There’s a little window with a long-dead plant. He’s even got an Emmy®.

OLD FRIENDS

RALPH & VANELLOPE

LITWAK’S ARCADE

FELIX & CALHOUN

THE WI-FI ROUTER