While an official announcement has yet to come from Disney, the follow-up to Pixar’s 2003 hit animated feature, Finding Nemo, is all but confirmed.

According to a report by Deadline, Albert Brooks, the voice of Marlin, has signed a deal with Disney to return for the sequel. Brooks joins a growing cast and crew surrounding Nemo 2, which includes returning director Andrew Stanton, writer Victoria Strouse, and the voice talents of Ellen DeGeneres.

Brooks’ standout role as Marlin was one of the best elements of the original film, so his return should bring some optimism, namely that the new film won’t depend upon the rumored “Nemo’s son gets kidnapped” storyline.