Entertainment

Taraji P. Henson's 'Wreck-It Ralph' Role Is What The Internet Needs

by Taylor Ferber
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Wreck-It Ralph 2 is already shaping up to be the film of summer 2018. At the D23 Expo in Anaheim, it was announced that Taraji P. Henson will join Wreck-It Ralph 2 as a new character, and it's one the age of the internet needs. In sneak peek footage aired on Friday, Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) escape the arcade world for the vast universe of the internet. Here, they come across Yesss (Henson), their guide who's a trendy, savvy chick of the web and always on the pulse of what's ticking. At the onset of Ralph and Vanellope's worldwide tour given by Yesss, audiences learn a little bit about her personality and the real-life nature of the internet in the process.

For Ralph and Vanellope, the internet is a mystery with tons to be explored. Yesss, the web expert who constantly shifts her appearance based on trends, tries to explain what the phenomenon is all about. Her words are ones that will resonate with viewers of the digital world.

Ralph innocently asks Yesss, "How exactly do I go virus?" She responds with, "Viral." And from there, Yesss' reflection of current society gets seriously real.

She tells the two, "Listen, human beings tend to cluster in like-minded tribes, right? Ergo, they tend to seek entertainment options that confirm their like-mindedness, which tends to create a whole bunch of like-minded bubbles," she says. Is that a wakeup call, or what?

Henson's character continues elaborating on these "clusters" of internet users. "I like superheroes," "I like cartoons," "I like sci-fi," "I like sports," "I like the Golden Girls." Sounds awfully familiar given the current obsession with staying relevant, being part of a pack, and becoming a viral hit.

It's likely that Yesss will shed even more light on the sad realities of the internet when the film premieres next summer and open peoples' eyes beyond Ralph and Vanellope. Considering she's played by Henson, the character is guaranteed to be unforgettable.