Monsters University is an upcoming 2013 3D computer-animated comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, intended to be a prequel to the 2001 film Monsters, Inc Dan Scanlon is the director and Kori Rae is the producer. John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Tilly, Frank Oz, and John Ratzenberger will reprise their roles from the previous film. James Coburn, who played Henry J. Waternoose III in the first film, died before production began on Monsters University. The role of Waternoose will be taken over by Kelsey Grammer. The film is set for release on June 21, 2013, and will mark the first prequel Pixar has ever produced.