This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise, Sing 2, arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic koala, Buster Moon, and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.

The official synopsis reads, "Buster (Oscar winner Matthew Mcconaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City. But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita (Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, porcine provocateur Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by ruthless mogul wolf Jimmy Crystal (Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale).

"In a desperate attempt to get Mr. Crystal’s attention, Gunter spontaneously pitches an outrageous idea that Buster quickly runs with, promising that their new show will star lion rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono). Problem is, Buster has never met Clay, an artist who shut himself away from the world more than a decade ago after the loss of his wife. Even worse, Buster has failed to realize that Mr. Crystal is an egocentric gangster who would rather drop somebody off the roof of a building than be lied to. As Gunter helps Buster dream up an out-of-this-world theatrical masterpiece, and the pressure (and sinister threats) from Mr. Crystal mount, Rosita’s leading role in the show gets ripped away and handed to Mr. Crystal’s spoiled daughter, Porsha, played by Grammy-nominated artist Halsey. Desperate to save the show, and his life, Buster embarks on a quest to find Clay and persuade him to return to the stage."

Writer/director Garth Jennings has much praise for the cast. "Bobby Cannavale plays Jimmy Crystal. He's a billionaire who owns all of these hotels and theatres in a Vegas-type place. Hugely successful because of him being absolutely ruthless. He's terrifying. Bobby Cannavale was terrifying. As a man he couldn't be nicer but, as a wolf, run for the hills. His daughter Portia, he insists on giving her a part in the show. She's played by Halsey. She's amazing, and an unbelievable artist. Have you seen her paintings? She can sing, dance, paint, act. There's not anything she can't do." On the whole, "They're a lovely bunch, along with all of the main cast. There's a whole strata of fun, quirky parts played by friends and curious people."

Sing 2 is written and directed by acclaimed returning filmmaker Garth Jennings and features additional new characters played by music superstars Pharrell Williams, Black Panther’s Letitia Wright and comedians Eric Andre, Chelsea Peretti and Nick Offerman.

Sing 2 hits theaters December 22.