Pixar's Hairiest Heroes Return in “Monsters University”

Pixar delivers a kid-friendly riff on fraternity life with "Monsters University." It's a novel approach to a trope more often associated with cheeky adult comedies and teen slasher flicks than animated fare primarily aimed at the younger set.

"Scaring, is the true measure of a monster," says Dean Hardscrabble (the voice of Helen Mirren) in a promo trailer for the prequel to "Monsters, Inc." And scaring up huge returns at the box office is the true measure of a monster summer hit.

"Inc." was in release for 47 weeks following its debut in 2001and has grossed over half a billion dollars worldwide. Shocking numbers Disney and Pixar no doubt hope "U" can replicate.

NBC Bay Area's Scott Budman went inside Pixar's Emeryville headquarters. Watch the video at the top of this page.

Revisiting one-eyed Mike (Billy Crystal) and blue fluffball Scully (John Goodman) as they endure their awkward yet funny days of higher education harks back to classic college comedies like "National Lampoon's Animal House" and "Revenge of the Nerds." This time though, instead of "House's" Deltas vs. Omegas, it's Mike and Scully's Oozma Kappa vs. the smarmy creatures of Roar Omega Roar.

"University" Director Dan Scanlon visited real campuses to get a sense of student life and told USA Today that he and his team also studied the golden age of 1970s and '80s fraternity comedies for inspiration.  "There are lots of monster mullets, puffy shoes and popped collars throughout the film," Scanlon said. "It seemed like the honorable thing to do."

"Monsters University" is out June 20.

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