Fresh imagery from the Sochi shoot of Cheburashka 2 has circulated, outlining a schedule that unfolds in the Arboretum park and the Ordzhonikidze sanatorium, where the film places Gena in residence and work, with Sergei Garmash again stepping back into the iconic role. Additional Sochi sites include Riviera Park, Frunze Park, the Russian-Japanese Friendship Garden, and the NA Museum, while the mountainous landscapes around Ostrovsky forest, Psakho Canyon, and Krasnaya Polyana provide a varied backdrop for key scenes. (production notes)
One of the film’s core locations remains Sochi, described as Gena’s home base where the characters interact in light, humorous, and touching moments that enrich the lives of Gena and Cheburashka. The production timeline confirms new scenes crafted in these spaces contribute to the evolving tone of the sequel. (production notes)
In the sequel, a younger Gena, played by Artem Bystrov, and his wife Lyuba, portrayed by Marina Konyashkina, return to the screen. Viewers will get a deeper look at the central character through Lyuba’s open and spontaneous presence, which reshapes their dynamic. (production notes)
“It seems to me that even in her youth, Gena was closed, timid, and did not let love in until Lyuba appeared,” reflects Bystrov, offering insight into the character shift that audiences can expect in the follow-up. (production notes)
Elena Yakovleva, Fyodor Dobronravov, Polina Maksimova, Sergey Lavygin, Dmitry Lysenkov, Sofya Zaika, Ilya Kondratenko, Eva Smirnova, and Natalya Shchukina are among the cast members who have returned to filming, underscoring the continuity of the beloved team. (production notes)
According to the plot of the sequel, Cheburashka gradually adjusts to living with Gena, but she begins to show independence and misbehave. Gena’s parenting methods stir tensions, and the unfolding family dynamics put the house at risk of collapse as events unfold around them. (production notes)
Cheburashka 2 is scheduled for release on January 1, 2026, signaling a new chapter for the character and the continuing adventures in this familiar setting. (production notes)
The original Cheburashka, released in Russian cinemas on January 1, 2023, went on to become the highest-grossing film in the history of domestic distribution, setting a benchmark for future installments. (citation: production brief)
Yuliana Slashcheva, chair of the Soyuzmultfilm board, spoke about how the character of Cheburashka will evolve in Cheburashka 2, hinting at growth and new dimensions in the favorite furry friend. (official remarks)
Earlier reports mentioned the start of shooting for the second season of Sergei Vasiliev’s science fiction comedy Cyber Village, indicating a busy production slate and continued collaboration among Russia’s animation and genre film teams. (industry brief)