Where's Dory?

Nobody knows the answer yet, as the sequel to Pixar's 2003 film "Finding Nemo" doesn't make a big screen splash until 2016. Hallels reported that the 2D-animated franchise will feature the voice of Ellen DeGeneres as Dory, a Pacific regal blue tang.

"Finding Dory" will chronicle the tale of memory-impaired Dory who journeys the water to reunite with her lost family. According to ComingSoon.net, the film is set one year after the events in "Finding Nemo." The source identified the story's location as along the California coastline.

In October, Perez Hilton took notice of cast member Ty Burrell's interview in "Watch What Happens Live." The actor, playing the role of beluga whale Bailey, revealed that the film is half-way done. The outlet reported that the film is slated for release on June 17, 2016.

The Hollywood Reporter cited in an earlier update that Diane Keaton (playing Jenny) and Eugene Levy (playing Charlie) will be Dory's long-lost parents. Other cast members include Albert Brooks, Willem Dafoe, Vicki Lewis, Kaitlin Olson, Dominic West and Idris Elba.

Produced by Lindsey Collins, the film is being helmed by Andrew Stanton -- the same director for "Finding Nemo." He also does the script, alongside Victoria Strouse.

KpopStarz noted director Stanton's statement regarding the sequel, "There was polite inquiry from Disney. I was always 'No sequels, no sequels.'"

"But I had to get on board from a VP standpoint. [Sequels] are part of the necessity of our staying afloat, but we don't want to have to go there for those reasons. We want to go there creatively," he explained.

It appears Stanton didn't want to compromise a work of art against the pressure of time constraints. He finished, "So we said [referring to Disney], 'Can you give us the timeline about when we release them? Because we'd like to release something we actually want to make, and we might not come up with it the year you want it."

He also said via MTV that there's no Dory without DeGeneres. The director is convinced that Dory's character has won the hearts of viewers all over the world.

DeGeneres gave a word of advice to children via the outlet, "Kids, let that be a lesson to you: Anything is possible if you are patient and beg hard enough on national television. I'm excited that it's finally happening, and I read the script. It's fantastic. It's hilarious. It's warm. It's everything that you want it to be."

It looks like everyone's in for some ocean exploration soon!

Watch an unofficial trailer of "Finding Dory" (via The Kass) below. Ellen's announcement of the film follows.