Pixar's Toy Story franchise was one of the rare movie series where the sequels were generally considered just as good (and, by many, better) than the original film. Hence why (for now) there's reason to be hopeful about the animation company's upcoming slate of non-original titles, including this summer's Cars 2 and the in-development prequel to Monsters, Inc., Monsters University.

An official logo for the Monsters Inc. prequel has been unveiled (see above), and it features the all-too familiar "cyclops letter M" from the first film's logo. Disney/Pixar has also released the official synopsis for Monsters University; however, those who have been following the project aren't likely to learn anything new about the movie.

Here is said official description of Monsters University (via Yahoo! Movies):

Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are 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.

Screaming with laughter and fun, "Monsters University" is directed by Dan Scanlon ("Cars," "Mater and the Ghostlight," "Tracy") and produced by Kori Rae ("Up," "The Incredibles," "Monsters, Inc."). The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Prior to Pixar being acquired by Disney a few years back, a Monsters Inc. 2 was being developed - and enough work was completed on the project for a mockup trailer to be created. While Monsters University arguably sounds like a better idea than that proposed sequel (and not just in retrospect), one has to admire the effort that was clearly put into the latter project before it was scrapped.

On that note: A Monsters Inc. prequel doesn't really jump out as a fantastic idea, either. The plot for Monsters University sounds decent enough - certainly less of a stretch than pretty much every other previously-released (often, direct-to-DVD) Disney animated sequel - but it also reads as a rather conventional "opposites attract" story with a (naturally) predictable ending. Take that as you will.

As mentioned before, Monsters University is slated for released on June 21st, 2013. Does it sound like a winner so far? Or a potential misstep for Pixar?

Source: Yahoo! Movies