Meryl Streep's Shocking 'Hoppers' Death Leaves Pixar Fans Stunned

The legendary actress' character is killed off in her very first scene, in what the director calls the 'most shocking death' in Pixar history.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 4:34pm

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In the new Pixar film 'Hoppers,' Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep voices the character of the Insect Queen, who is killed off in her very first scene - a surprising and shocking twist that left audiences reeling. Director Daniel Chong was initially worried Streep would turn down the small role, but the actress embraced the unexpected demise of her character, recognizing the humor and layered shock value in the moment.

Why it matters

Streep's early exit as the Insect Queen subverts audience expectations, opening the door for a new antagonist to take center stage. The shocking death also highlights Streep's willingness to take on unconventional roles, even if they are relatively small, and the director's ability to incorporate unexpected narrative twists that leave a lasting impact.

The details

In the film, the Insect Queen is set up as a powerful, looming threat to the animal kingdom. However, she is quickly dispatched when the protagonist's robotic beaver paws accidentally crush her. Director Daniel Chong was initially worried this small role would turn Streep off, but the acclaimed actress embraced the twist, finding the humor and layered shock value in the moment.

  • The first trailer for 'Hoppers' was released last year, prominently featuring Streep's character.
  • The film premiered in theaters this past weekend.

The players

Daniel Chong

The director of 'Hoppers' who was initially concerned Meryl Streep would turn down the small role of the Insect Queen, but was pleasantly surprised by the actress' enthusiasm for the unexpected twist.

Nicole Grindle

The producer of 'Hoppers' who worked alongside Chong on the film.

Meryl Streep

The legendary, multi-Oscar-winning actress who voiced the character of the Insect Queen in 'Hoppers.'

Piper Curda

One of the stars of 'Hoppers.'

Bobby Moynihan

One of the stars of 'Hoppers.'

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What they’re saying

“I was afraid that it was gonna be a dealbreaker with Meryl when we pitched her the movie. We were on Zoom initially, and I told her all about the story and I was like, 'Oh, yeah, this is the Insect Queen, she's powerful, blah, blah, blah.' And she was with all of it. She loved the beaver part. She loved the themes. And then I was like, 'But Meryl, I have to tell you, you're not gonna survive past your first sequence.'”

— Daniel Chong, Director

“I was bracing myself thinking like she's gonna roll her eyes. Like, 'Well, this doesn't seem like a good use of my time.' But she was down; she loved it.”

— Daniel Chong, Director

“It speaks to the sense of humor she has. You know, she laughed through most of the pitch and she laughed at that squish, and she thought it was a really fun idea and she was down for it. So that part was really fun to kind of involve her. And also, just the thought of like, it's not just shocking that it's the Insect Queen, but it's shocking also because it's Meryl Streep, right? It's got a layered kind of shock value to it, and I think that was the fun of that moment.”

— Daniel Chong, Director

What’s next

The film 'Hoppers' is now playing in theaters everywhere, allowing audiences to experience Meryl Streep's shocking demise as the Insect Queen for themselves.

The takeaway

Meryl Streep's willingness to take on a small but impactful role in 'Hoppers,' even if it meant her character would be killed off early, showcases the legendary actress' sense of humor and commitment to unconventional storytelling. The surprising twist subverts audience expectations and adds a layered shock value to the film, highlighting Pixar's ability to deliver unexpected narrative developments.