According to an interview with the LA Times, director Pete Docter brought Amy Poehler onto the film’s production early to not only discuss the character of Joy, but to help write her. “I can’t think of any other production where we’ve used actors the way we do on ‘Inside Out,'” Docter said. He described Joy as “unapologetically positive,” so positive, he added, “you kind of want to punch her in the face.” Given the prominence of Joy in the story of “Inside Out,” they needed to find the balance of allowing Joy to be permanently positive without becoming so exhausting that the audience rejects her.

“We end up showing Joy’s vulnerability more, thanks to input from writer Meg LeFauve, but Amy brings in something intangible to the character,” Docter said. “She can say things other people can’t and get away with it, and she knows right where that line is.” Docter admitted that Joy is really similar to Poehler’s beloved “Parks and Recreation” character Leslie Knope, as she’s also “super-peppy and overprepared.” 

When “Inside Out” first dropped, I couldn’t believe how perfect Poehler was in the role, but now it all makes sense. Poehler is perfect as Joy because she is Joy.