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The Wilderness must be explored!
―Russell to Carl Fredricksen

Russell is the deuteragonist of Disney/Pixar's 2009 film, Up. He is a Junior Wilderness Explorer who accompanied Carl Fredricksen to Paradise Falls.

Background

Personality

Russell is a loud, hyperactive, anxious, high-strung, and curious, but fun-loving boy. His behavior and personality often annoyed Carl throughout the movie. That fact that he had chocolate with him suggests that he may like candy, that could also explain why he is overweight.

Russell beholds a spirit that somewhat reminded Carl of Ellie in Russell's curious nature and determination to do the right thing in helping Kevin, and they bonded in a grandfather/grandson-like relationship.

Physical appearance

Russell is apparently an overweight kid since his shirt does not cover his whole stomach. He is always seen wearing a Wilderness Explorer uniform and his merit badges. He also appears to be of Asian descent. Russell has short, spiked hair, which is normally covered by a hat.

My Disney Experience Description

Russell loves being a wilderness explorer! He's earned every badge and has even explored the real wilderness.

Appearances

Up

Russell was missing the "Assisting the Elderly" Wilderness Patch, the last one to put him in the rank of Senior Wilderness Explorer. He showed up at Carl Fredricksen's doorstep, hoping to help him in crossing something to assist him. Unfortunately, Carl tries to get rid of Russell by saying that there was a "snipe" bothering him and tells Russell to look two blocks down to capture it. When Carl sends his home (and him), in the air with 10,000 balloons, Carl finds Russell holding on for dear life, waiting for Mr. Fredricksen to let him in. He says tells him, no, and Russell is forced to wait 5 seconds before Carl finally decides to let him in. He makes friends with an exotic bird which he names Kevin, and then finds out that Kevin is really a girl, searching for her eggs (though he continues to call it Kevin even after the discovery). He also makes friends with Dug, a dog who can literally speak his mind, by using a collar his master, Charles Muntz, created for him. He gets weary easily, and can't climb, showing that he is physically weak. He showed braveness when he went to rescue Kevin from Muntz's clutches. He is then captured and tied to a chair, then is sliding down the walkway to his end. Luckily, Carl saves him and sets him back in the house. But Russell falls all the way to the end of the garden hose. He then has the strength to climb when he sees Charles attack Carl. When attacked by Dog Fighters (dogs in planes), he yells out "Squirrel!" and each dog hits each other after looking for the squirrel. When Charles Muntz falls to his doom, the house is still on the garden hose. Kevin, Dug, and Russell are all still on it. When the house falls, all 3 jump to the hose, which Carl still has hold of. He sees them swing on it, and Russell screams out "That was cool!" At the end of Up, He gets his "Assisting the Elderly" Wilderness Merit Badge, presented by Carl Fredricksen. Then, he and Carl go and have some ice cream, just like Russell and his dad used to do. Carl's house is hovering above both of them, and it seems that they have kept Dug since he appeared at the Wilderness Explorer ceremony with Russell's mother.

Dug's Special Mission

Russell and Carl only appear at the end of the short film where Dug tries to find a new master after being scolded by Alpha, Beta, and Gamma that he caused them not to capture Kevin, the bird that Muntz was to capture, and Dug reunites with the two during the events of the film where Carl and Russell arrive at the rocky area of Paradise Falls where they encounter Dug during the events of the film. When Russell asks Dug to speak, he then responds to him as he and Carl are surprised that he can talk before the image cuts to black.

George and A.J.

Russell only makes two brief appearances in the short film during the event where Carl takes off with many balloons in his house and later during the end of the short film where he and Carl arrive back to the spot where the nurses George and A.J. are at as Russell tells Carl that he would like to use the Spirit of Adventure's helm the next time they use it.

Disney Parks

Russell DLP

Russell at one of the Disney parks.

Russell is a walkaround character in the parks, appearing regularly at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney California Adventure.

At Disney California Adventure, Russell and Dug appear at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in a Wilderness Explorer's Camp theme added to the attraction in June 2011. Guests can participate in various activities at the camp to earn badges and become Senior Wilderness Explorers at a ceremony held at the Ahwahnee Camp Circle.

Relationships

Wiki
The Disney Wiki has an article focusing on the relationships of Russell.

Gallery

Wiki
The Disney Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Russell.

Trivia

  • Russell's appearance is apparently based off that of Peter Sohn's when he was young.
  • Russell's parents are separated (as stated in the Russell: Wilderness Explorer documentary on the Up Blu-ray release).
  • Russell is revealed to have a talent for making campfires on his badge but he doesn't know how to put up a tent.
  • One of his merit badges has the Luxo Ball on it.
  • He represents the child that Carl and Ellie lost due to a miscarriage.


v - e - d
Up with floating house Logo
Media
Films: Up (video/soundtrack)

Specials/Shorts: Dug's Special Mission George and A.J. Carl's Date
Series: Dug Days (soundtrack)
Books: The Art of Up
Games: Up Kinect Rush: A Disney/Pixar Adventure Disney Infinity Disney Emoji Blitz LEGO The Incredibles Disney Heroes: Battle Mode

Disney Parks
Disney's Explorer LodgeDisney Animation BuildingDisney Friends of the MonthKaribuni MarketplacePixar Pal-A-RoundRedwood Creek Challenge TrailWildernress Explorers (Animal Kingdom)Stitch and Friends Summer SurpriseTropical America

Entertainment: Pixar Playtime PalsTOGETHER: a Pixar Musical AdventureUP! A Great Bird Adventure
Parades: Mickey & Friends Street CelebrationPixar Play ParadeDisney Harmony in Color! Parade
Fireworks: Disney EnchantmentHappily Ever AfterIgnite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and LightIlluminate! A Nightime CelebrationMomentousTogether Forever: A Pixar Nighttime SpectacularWorld of Color
Summer: Adventure is Out There!Pixar Water Play Street Party!

Characters
Carl FredricksenEllie FredricksenRussellCharles MuntzKevinDugAlphaBetta and GammaKevin's BabiesConstruction Foreman TomConstruction Worker SteveConstruction SupervisorGeorgeA.J.Russell's MotherMuntz's DogsSquirrelPuppiesBird
Locations
Carl's Childhood HomeCarl's HouseParadise FallsShady Oaks Retirement VillageSpirit of AdventureSouth America
Objects
Pixar BallA113Pizza Planet Truck
Songs
Married LifeThe Spirit of Adventure
See Also
The Science Behind PixarPixar in a BoxWilderness Explorer
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