We all know Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan to be an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.
Character Design
Young Monsters
How do you make an eyeball look eighteen years old? That's just one question the filmmakers asked when coming up with a younger version of Mike. Set during their formidable college years, Monsters University sees much younger versions of Mike and Sulley. Mike is a little smaller, and even has a retainer, while Sulley is shaggier, thinner and not quite bulked up to the Scarer we know him to be.
Mike Wazowski
Mike Wazowski’s lifelong dream is to become a Scarer at Monsters, Inc.—and he’s sure he knows just how to do it. Ever since he was a young monster, Mike’s had his eye on Monsters University, home of the world’s top Scare Program. Now a freshman and hopeful scare student, he’s well versed in the rich history, theory and technique required to reach his goal, and the little green one-eyed monster has more confidence, enthusiasm, determination and heart than all of his classmates combined. But unexpected roadblocks derail Mike’s plans and he’s forced to team up with a group of misfit monsters and an unlikely ally to give it the old college try and pull off the biggest coup in the University’s history.
James P. Sullivan
When it comes to scaring, Sulley’s a natural—his abundant size, fierce roar and family legacy of a long line of high-achieving Scarers make him a shoo-in for the esteemed Scare Program at Monsters University. But from the moment the overly confident monster steps his big furry feet on campus, it’s clear he’d rather crack jokes than books—and he learns the hard way that his unfettered talent and family ties can only get him so far. With his ego bruised and future in jeopardy, a stubborn Sulley must put his pride aside, team up with an odd bunch of misfit monsters and actually work if he wants to live up to his true scaring potential.
Randy Boggs
Monsters University freshman Randy Boggs has big aspirations for college life. The peculiar lizard-like monster with his host of gangly arms and legs plans to major in Scaring and lead an active social life filled with fun, friends and fraternity parties. If only he could get his embarrassing disappearing habit under control, he’d be good to go, because how is he ever going to be a great Scarer if nobody
can see him?
Dean Hardscrabble
To Dean Hardscrabble, there are scary monsters and there are all other monsters. It’s no surprise she feels this way—she is, after all, a legendary Scarer and Dean of the School of Scaring at Monsters University. Aspiring Scare students must be up for the challenge to impress her, though she is convinced that her assessment of who is truly scary and who is not is never wrong.
Scott "Squishy" Squibbles
Scott Squibbles gives new meaning to the term “undeclared.” A sophomore whose dream of becoming a Scarer was squashed in his first year at Monsters University, “Squishy” is a bit of a wide-eyed wanderer—small, sweet, naïve and quiet—who, not surprisingly, still lives with his doting mother. But with a little help from his Oozma Kappa brothers, Squishy begins to realize he’s more than just that shy monster
in the corner.
Don Carlton
Faced with the realities of the economic downturn, Midwestern sales monster Don Carlton finds himself going back to school to learn new skills and pursue a dream career in Scaring. One of Monsters University's “mature” students and a founding member of the Oozma Kappa fraternity, Don brings his honest hardworking spirit to their endeavors, ensuring that his fellow brothers keep their various heads on straight and their array of eyes on the task
at hands.
Terri & Terry Perry
When it comes to Terri and Terry, it's hard not to ask, “Are two heads really better than one?” These bickering brothers have little in common: Terri with an “i” is a real romantic who's quick to spot the silver lining in any situation, while older brother Terry with a “y” sports a more cynical outlook on life. If they can stop squabbling long enough to work with their Oozma Kappa brothers, they might be able to put their heads together-literally-and find their place in Monsters University's Scare Program once and for all.
Art
The ultimate free spirit, Art is a mysterious monster with a questionable background. By far the strangest member of the Oozma Kappas, Art bowls over the competition-sometimes literally-with his unique dexterity and wild-card ways. Nothing is scarier than the unpredictable, especially when it comes to this furry ball of bad.
Mrs. Squibbles
Ms. Squibbles is a doting, single parent who encourages, accommodates, and more so, coddles her only son, Scott “Squishy” Squibbles. Squishy is 19 years old and still lives at home, but who can blame him? Ms. Squibbles is Monstropolis’ best mom—she cooks for him, does his laundry; she even acts as house mom when he has his “little friends” over
to play fraternity.
Oozma Kappa (OK)
A collection of wholesome, good-natured misfits, the adorable brothers of Oozma Kappa (OK) have bonded over their inability to make it through the Scaring Program. With only four bodies in the house they don’t even have enough members to compete in the Scare Games, but what they lack in scariness and self-confidence they make up for in heart.
Roar Omega Roar (ROR)
The Roar Omega Roar (ROR) fraternity is made up of the best of the best. They’re the smartest, most skilled, scariest monsters at Monsters University, and come from families with a long, proud history of scaring. While the RORs may be preppy in dress, they are ferocious in action and determined to always be on top no matter how ruthless they have to be. Self-declared as the most elite house on campus, the RORs are lead by President Johnny Worthington who presides over the house like an all-powerful monarch. Eager to continue their Scare Games winning streak, the RORs will do whatever it takes to stay on top.
Python Nu Kappa (PNK)
Pretty in pink, the sisters of Python Nu Kappa (PNK) are not to be underestimated. Led by their fearless queen bee Carrie, these ladies are smart, cold-hearted and merciless. Covered in pink from head to toe, the PNKs sweet exterior quickly turns terrifying when the
Scare Games begin.
Jaws Theta Chi (JOX)
Big on brawn but short on brainpower, the Jaws Theta Chi (JOX) fraternity brothers are rarely seen without their flashy letterman jackets. The JOX are brutal competitors who never hesitate to do whatever it takes to beat their opponent, even if it’s breaking the rules. Despite practically living at the gym or on the field, these sports-loving monsters often prove that bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to scaring.
Eta Hiss Hiss (HSS)
The Eta Hiss Hiss (HSS) sorority has been around since the beginning of Monsters University and the members are as mysterious as they are terrifying. The HSS sisters might be pale, mysterious and sullen but these intimidating Goth girls are fierce competitors and tough as nails. Fittingly, their most distinguished alumna is one of the most powerful, scary monsters on campus, who every new scare student strives to impress – Dean Hardscrabble.
Slugma Slugma Kappa (EEK)
The athletic sisters of Slugma Slugma Kappa (EEK) spend most of their days working out and running drills to perfect their scaring skills. Their initiation is a triathlon, and training together 24/7 has strengthened the bonds of sisterhood so much so that these strong, self-assured girls are ready to out-work and out-scare any monster they encounter together.
Archie the Scare Pig
The mascot to archrival school Fear Tech, Archie the Scare Pig is stolen by Sulley as a prank to get in with the Roar Omega Roars. However, Archie is no average pig. With six legs, and plenty of energy, Archie gives Mike and Sulley a run for their money.
World design
The Monster Feel
A big part of the fun in revisiting the Monsters world was figuring out what reads as “University” and finding ways to “monsterize” it. That means designing a world fit for monsters of all sizes. Architecture was created to give it that monster feel, so there are horns and teeth above the doors and windows. Even the trees have scales.
Campus
The Monsters University campus is huge, and was created to feel like there’s a new possibility around every corner, as life should feel at that age. It also contains some of the most incredible works of architecture ever made including the School of Scaring. Monumental and awe-inspiring, the School of Scaring is the centerpiece of MU.
Greek House
Each Greek House at Monsters University reflects the attitude of the fraternity or sorority members living in it. Roar Omega Roar has history, Eta Hiss Hiss is more gothic, and Jaws Theta Chi is, as sets art director Robert Kondo puts it, "as junky as possible without actually
being disgusting."
The Scare Games
The Scare Games is an annual competition between the fraternities and sororities to prove who are the scariest monsters.
Field Trip
One of the most pivotal scenes in the film is when the Oozma Kappas (OK) take a field trip, and sneak onto the premises of Monsters, Inc. Peering in through a window, they catch a glimpse of a scare floor where all of their heroes are performing actual scares. "Whether they realize it or not," says Director Dan Scanlon, "it's the first time [Mike and Sulley] start to see that they both want the same thing."