Anucave: Out of the Jungle (2020 film)

Anucave: Out of the Jungle is an American comedy adventure family film and a sequel to 2019’s Anucave. It is produced and distributed by Universal Studios. The film stars Lennon Richardson, Gabriel Combs, and Millie Bobby Brown reprising their roles for, the first film, being joined by Patton Oswalt, Chris Pratt, Noah Schnapp, and Andrew Daly. It is also the fifth film in the Animal Cinematic Universe (ACU).

The film was released theatrically in the United States on November 25, 2020, along with being released digitally on December 15, 2020. It also grossed $70 million against an $80 million budget, and received generally positive reviews for its plot, casting, performances, humor, and heart.

Plot
One Year Later, Leo (Lennon Richardson) becomes the official protector of the Jungle, with Bill (Gabriel Combs) and Bandit (Millie Bobby Brown) being outcasted by fans. As the Night Draws, Bill asks Leo for more credit, but he denies the offer. Bill and Bandit then decide that maybe it’s time to be their own people and leave the Jungles of Anucave, as Bill wants to move in with Bandit.

The Next Day, Leo hears a strange sound that comes from outside the Jungle and beyond the Human territory. He recruits Bill and Bandit and go to investigate. As they hear the noise again, they discover a boat created by humans coming to their land, with a squirrel named Squeaky working with the humans. They then discover that Animal Waste is being used as food. The three decide to sneak onto the boat to investigate, drifting from their home in the process.

Leo, Bill, and Bandit arrive in New Jersey, where they discover the squirrel again. The squirrel introduces himself as Squeaky (Patton Oswalt), and reluctantly reveals that he plots to build a city over the Jungle in vengeance of Porky from the previous film. The three then try to escape, but realize that they are days away from the Jungle. They then hide under the boat and in the water eventually realizing that they’re in the city.

The three then go to eat, but discover that the food is made of animals and deny the food. Leo discovers another boat headed for Anucave and the three decide to wait until night to sneak onto the boat. They discover Squeaky and attempt to sneak on, but the plan backfires, and they accidentally release the boat to go to Anucave without them. They eventually jump onto a boat, realizing that the boat is taking them farther away from Anucave.

Squeaky, with the help of the humans, collects Animal Waste from the Jungles of Anucave. He then realizes that Leo, Bill, and Bandit are headed to New York. He decides to stop their plan and sneak after them on a yacht. Realizing his mistake, he uses a Submarine to catch up with their boat.

In New York, Leo, Bill, and Bandit get lost in the city, accidentally losing each other in the process. They meet in the middle of the City, where they realize that Squeaky is after them. They then meet a German Sheppard named Sheppard (Chris Pratt), who leads them to a hideout where they meet a Chihuahua named Bob (Noah Schnapp), who hacks computers. Bob reveals that they are weeks away from Anucave and that they need to steal a yacht in order to get back to the Jungle.

That Night, the five sneak into a boat sale, where they sell many kinds of boats including yachts. They then discover helicopters and decide to steal one just in case the yacht is destroyed. They then travel away from New York in the yacht, with Squeaky on their tail unknowingly. They then discover Squeaky and their boat is destroyed, but they escape on a chopper. They then discover a Police Officer named Officer Brian (Andrew Daly), who shoots down their helicopter and crash lands them on an island.

Leo loses hope and abandons Bill and Bandit, claiming that they were always sidekicks and were never helpful. Bill and Bandit then decide to fix the yacht with the help of Bob and Sheppard and the group prepares to leave. Squeaky arrives and destroys the yacht, preparing to kill the group. Bill, Bandit, Sheppard, and Bob are then captured by Squeaky, leading Leo to realize his mistakes and blame himself for the whole mess.

Leo then gains hope after a message from Bill and decides to rebuild the yacht once again and chase after Squeaky, who drives his boat towards the edge of a volcano to drop the animals in. As he prepares to press the button, Leo destroys his ship and accidentally causes the Volcano to explode. The group then slides on it with the remaining parts of the ship and save Squeaky from nearly dying. Squeaky realizes the error of his ways and apologizes, as Leo believes that no animal should die, no matter how good or bad.

In the End, Squeaky becomes a citizen of the Jungles of Anucave and gives everyone apology baskets. The Animal Waste is shipped to the volcano and Leo begins to give Bill and Bandit more credit for helping him save Anucave twice. Leo, Bill, and Bandit go on as heroes, but Sheppard and Bob decide not to stay, as they have business to take care of at home, but promise to visit a lot. Also, Bill and Bandit live together and decide to start dating.

In a mid-credit scene, Ted the Tiger and Mike the Meerkat warn Leo about a new enemy approaching the Jungle.

Cast
Additionally, Kyle Snow and Jamyson Barlett appear in uncredited roles as Mike the Meerkat and Ted the Tiger during the mid-credit scene of the film.
 * Lennon Richardson as Leo, a lion from the Jungle who wants to protect Anucave.
 * Gabriel Combs as Bill, a Bear who is friends with Leo and Bandit’s boyfriend.
 * Millie Bobby Brown as Bandit, a ferret who is Bill’s girlfriend and Leo’s friend.
 * Patton Oswalt as Squeaky, an evil squirrel that plots to kill the Anucave animals.
 * Chris Pratt as Sheppard, a German Sheppard and language translator.
 * Noah Schnapp as Bob, a Chihuahua and computer hacker.
 * Andrew Daly as Officer Brian, an evil Police Officer.

Production
The film was announced shortly after the success of 2019’s Anucave, as director Favreau wanted the film to be “different” from any animated Anucave films. Richardson, Combs, and Brown reprise their roles as Leo, Bill, and Bandit for the film. In October 2019, Oswalt, Pratt, Schnapp, and Daly were announced to have joined the cast as new characters. Filming took place between December 2019 and March 2020.

Release
The film was released theatrically in the United States on November 25, 2020, while also being released digitally on December 15, 2020.

Possible sequel
Director Jon Favreau stated during the announcement of the film that he had an “idea” for a potential third film, but it would depend on the success of the film.