2015 D23 Expo: Ed O’Neill and Kaitlin Olson Join Pixar’s ‘Finding Dory’

During the three-hour D23 animation panel yesterday, Pixar also revealed some new details about its upcoming Finding Dory, which is set to open next summer. Some clips were shown, some plot details were revealed, and some new actors have joined the cast.

During the panel, it was revealed that child actor Hayden Rolence will replace Alexander Gould as Nemo since the actor who originated the role in the 2003 film is too old the reprise the role in this film that is set only six months after the original movie. Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks are both set to reprise their roles as Dory and Nemo’s father, Marlin, and Dory’s parents are voiced by Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton.

During the panel, Ellen DeGeneres joined director Andrew Stanton, co-director Angus MacLane and producer Lindsey Collins as they announced three new actors who have joined the voice-cast for the film. First off it was confirmed that Ty Burrell is indeed joining the voice-cast of the film as beluga whale named Bailey. During the 2013 Expo this was also revealed, but this year Burrell actually joined the stage and showed some footage and clips of his character. A new member to the film’s voice-cast is Ed O’Neill who will be playing Hank, a cantankerous octopus. Some animation tests and clips featuring his character were also shown to the attending fans, and Pixar also released a new still from the film online featuring his character and Dory. Finally, it was announced that Kaitlin Olson has joined the cast as Destiny, a whale shark who thinks she’s a whale and also happens to be Dory’s adoptive sister. This character was first revealed at this year’s Annecy film festival, and attending fans were also shown some clips and footage of her character.

The attending fans and press were also shown some exclusive clips from the movie that were very well received. One of the clips showed Dory dreaming about her parents at night; she’s sleep-swimming and talking in her sleep. Nemo overhears her mention the pride of Monterey, California, and the next day Dory remembers she has to find her family. They showed a second clip in which Burrell’s Bailey tries to help Dory by using his echolocation skills, and the final clip clip featured Dory captured by the Monterey institute in a tank where she meets O’Neill’s Hank who agrees to help her, so he can escape and she can find her family.

Taking place six months after the first film, while at school on the Coral Reef with Nemo, Dory suddenly recalls her childhood memories. Accompanied by Nemo and Marlin, she sets out to find her family. She arrives at an institute for undersea animals in Monterey, California, where she befriends Hank the octopus, who becomes her guide.

Pixar’s Finding Dory swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

Edited by: Kelly Conley