In many ways, the success of The Nut Job propelled Toronto-based independent animation studio ToonBox Entertainment into the big leagues.

The film, which was produced by ToonBox, Gulfstream Pictures and Redrover Co. Ltd., reportedly had the biggest box office opening ever for an indie animated feature and ultimately took in more than $120 million at the global box office.

ToonBox, along with South Korea-based Redrover Co. Ltd., China-based Shanghai Hoongman Technology Co. Ltd. and L.A.-based Gulfstream Pictures, is now in production on the sequel to The Nut Job, appropriately titled The Nut Job 2.

“Because of the success of Nut Job one, [the company’s] profile and people’s awareness of [Toonbox] within the industry grew,” said Nut Job 2 producer Harry Linden in an interview with Playback Daily. “People are definitely attracted to come here.”

While The Nut Job was a box office smash and offered great exposure for ToonBox, it was critically panned, with just a 10% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. (Kids, clearly, did not pay attention to Rotten Tomatoes’ decree.)

Everyone involved with the sequel would obviously like to duplicate the financial success of the original, but Linden said he’ll measure success from a critical and artistic level. 

“We’re hoping that when [critics] see Nut Job 2, they’re going to say…’This is a tremendous leap forward in storytelling and visual development for this studio and we look forward to more great movies from them.'”

The Nut Job 2 follows Surly Squirrel as he attempts to save his home from the mayor of Oakton, who wants to bulldoze Liberty Park. The film is directed by Canadian Cal Brunker, and written by Scott Bindley, Bob Barlen and Brunker.

It stars Will Arnett, Katherine Heigl and Maya Rudolph. On Tuesday, it was announced that Jackie Chan would also join the cast. “Getting somebody like Jackie Chan was a long journey, but we’re super pleased and super excited that he’s on board. Because he’s huge in North America and he’s absolutely massive in the Asia and China territories. From a marketing point of view that’s like gold dust,” said Linden.

The Nut Job 2 is produced by ToonBox Entertainment, Redrover Co. Ltd., Shanghai Hoongman Technology Co. Ltd. and Gulfstream Pictures. The film is produced by Linden, Barlen and Sunghwan Kim. It is executive produced by Hoe-Jin Ha, Hongjoo Ahn, Bill Bindley, Mike Karz, Hong Kim, Youngki Lee, Hyungkon Kim and Daniel Woo.

Open Road Films will distribute the film in the U.S. and The Weinstein Company holds international sales rights, excluding China and Korea. The Nut Job 2 will premiere in the U.S. on May 19, 2017.