The Bad Guys 2 Director Pierre Perifel Talks Sequel Surprises, Improvisation, and Animated Ambitions – INTERVIEW

The Bad Guys 2 is a stylish sequel that hits harder, funnier, and even more fearlessly.

DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys 2 isn’t just another sequel—it’s a full-blown animated spectacle that delivers sleek visuals, whip-smart humor, and a fresh cast of scene-stealing characters. The beloved animal outlaws return with a new global heist and an even bigger mission: prove they can actually stay good. But things go sideways fast when a crew of criminal newcomers—the Bad Girls—turns their redemption arc into chaos.

I spoke with director Pierre Perifel for an in-depth conversation about how this sequel came together, the power of improvisation, and why this franchise holds so much meaning for him.

From Page to Pitch: How It All Started

Perifel first discovered The Bad Guys through producer Damon Ross, who had just acquired the rights to Aaron Blabey’s books.

“He had the first book sitting on his desk,” Perifel said. “I saw these animals in suits and thought, ‘This is literally Reservoir Dogs with animals.’ Immediately, I pictured them in a super cool car, pulling off wild heists. That visual stuck.”

That moment triggered a creative surge. With time to spare during a break on another project, Perifel put together a full pitch using storyboards and sketches. The idea was simple: blend kid-friendly adventure with the style and swagger of a slick heist film.

DreamWorks loved it. “We showed it to the execs—Margie Cohn, Christian Lo—and they said, ‘Let’s take the risk.’ And that’s how the first movie happened,” he recalled. “It was luck, timing, and this huge creative spark.”

Before the First Even Hit Theaters, the Second Was Already Cooking

Perifel admits that the team began brainstorming The Bad Guys 2 even before audiences saw the first one.

“We were finishing the first one and thought, ‘Okay, this is good. This is fun. Let’s keep going,” he said. “There’s a whole book series; these characters are so rich, and you can tell endless stories with them.”

That eagerness and passion fueled the sequel’s development early on—and yes, a third film is already on their radar. “We love them so much. They’re our babies,” he said with a smile. “So yeah, we’re kind of jumping the gun again… but in the best way.”

Leading a Powerhouse Cast—and Letting Them Loose

One of the biggest strengths of The Bad Guys films is the voice cast. With Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Craig Robinson, and now newcomers like Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, and Maria Bakalova, it’s a stacked lineup that feels more like an improv troupe than an animated ensemble.

“The cast is honestly stellar,” Perifel said. “And we wanted the recording sessions to feel like live-action sets. That meant pairing actors up, letting them play off each other, and encouraging improvisation.”

Much of what makes the film feel so natural stems from those unscripted moments. “The tuna joke between Shark and Snake? Not scripted. Wolf’s big speech at the end? Mostly improvised,” he revealed. “When they’re riffing, it brings this incredible energy. You don’t get that by reading lines in isolation.”

A key player in capturing that spontaneity was editor Jesse Averna. “Jesse’s a wizard. He pulls lines from outtakes and stumbles that aren’t perfect but feel real. That’s what makes the movie feel alive.”

Why Wolf Is Pierre’s Spirit Animal

Asked which character he identifies with most, Perifel didn’t hesitate. “Definitely Wolf,” he laughed. “That whole thing of pretending to be slick but actually being kind of a dork? That’s me.”

And that emotional duality runs deep throughout the film. While The Bad Guys 2 ramps up the action, it also leans into vulnerability and heart—traits Perifel believes are essential for any great animated story.

Drawing From a Love of European Animation

Although he didn’t grow up glued to a screen, Perifel’s love for animation blossomed later in life. “As a kid, I didn’t watch a lot of TV. My parents were like, ‘Go outside, take your bike,’” he said. But when he discovered French graphic novels and animated films, everything changed.

“I’m a huge fan of Tintin, Asterix, The Smurfs, all of that,” he said. “Before DreamWorks, I even worked on some of those characters in Paris. It’s surreal to animate characters you grew up with.”

One lesser-known title that influenced the Bad Guys look? Ernest & Celestine. “I showed it to my animators and said, ‘There’s something magical here—let’s capture that charm.’ We didn’t copy it, but it inspired the looseness and warmth of our world.”

What’s Next for The Bad Guys?

While Perifel didn’t officially confirm a third movie, his passion says it all.

“Look, we’re eager. There’s so much more we want to do,” he said. “These characters still have a lot of stories to tell.”

And with The Bad Guys 2 delivering laughs, surprises, and some of the slickest animation DreamWorks has ever put on screen, it’s clear this crew of reformed crooks isn’t done yet.

Catch The Bad Guys 2 in theaters on August 1st. Learn More Here

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