Animation movies have a separate fan base. Comedy, action, and a hint of suspense, the perfect mix of the right ingredients make animation movies are a hit, not only among children but adults too.
Not to mention, animation movies do take us back to our childhood days when toys were real and not virtual. And when one talks about toys, there’s no way you can’t think of Toy Story.
The first CG animated feature film in 1995, Toy Story was a huge success which lead to giving rise to more CG animated movies and also Pixar films such as The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and Up. The movies were so interesting that they were watched by both adults and children alike with the same interest levels, if not more.
After Toy Story 4 in 2019, Pixar said that they would take a break from Toy Story sequels.
In 2020, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Doctor spoke in the Disney Investor Day meeting and announced Lightyear a feature-length origin story of a Space Ranger with Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear.
Lightyear Release Date
The film is all set and will premiere on June 17, 2022. Grab up your tickets in nearby theaters because it will be a whole lot of fun.
The film will be coming three months before Turning Red, the Pixar film.
Director Angus MacLane, in an interview with Collider, was asked how close is he to completing the film, to which he replied, “I can definitely see the finish line. We have a ton of work to do, but I’m just trying to enjoy it, as best I can. I really like the team that I’m working with, and because of COVID, I haven’t gotten to work in person with them very much. So, I’m back at the studio, working on the film and interfacing with some people that occasionally come in. I’m just trying to enjoy it. When you’re working on something where you know you’re not gonna get to work with that same group of people again, in the same capacity, what I’ve learned over the years is that all you have is that experience. So, I’m trying to enjoy it, even though there are a bunch of challenges.”
Also, after the theatrical release, the movie will be later coming on Disney+ in 2022.
Lightyear Cast
The casting of the film is yet to be confirmed, the only actor who is confirmed yet to give the voiceover is Captain America, Chris Evans who will be giving voice to Space Ranger/Buzz Lightyear
As of this moment, the only actor who is confirmed to be part of the Lightyear voice cast is Captain America himself, Chris Evans, who will voice the film’s titular Space Ranger.
Maclane in the same interview also commented about the new casting.
“I wanted the film to have like a gravitas to it and a seriousness to it, but also have an actor who could bring comedy with that seriousness. He was the first and only choice. I didn’t have a number two. It was very clear from the get-go. It was like, ‘If you were gonna make a legitimate sci-fi film about Buzz Lightyear, who would you get? Well, Chris Evans.’ You need someone that has that star power. If it had to be live-action, who would do it? He can do both.
“Although that chin would be so weird in live-action. You could never get around that. But he was the first choice and he’s been such an amazing partner. He totally got the material right away and felt the sense of responsibility to figure out the translation to the character, for this larger context of this sci-fi movie and really deliver on it. He’s just been a wonderful creative partner in the whole process,” he said.
Only the voice of Space Ranger is confirmed as of now.
Blasting into theaters June 17, 2022, Lightyear is the definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear. Voiced by @ChrisEvans, get ready to go to “infinity and beyond” with Lightyear. 🚀 👨🚀 pic.twitter.com/LdYXlN33sP
— Pixar (@Pixar) December 11, 2020
Lightyear Trailer
Disney released the first trailer on October 29, 2021, which created excitement for the audience. As the trailer starts with David Bowie’s song Starman, it sets the vibe of the trailer which is watched interestingly by the viewers.
You can watch the trailer here.
Will Zurg be in Lightyear?
Many are wondering, will Evil emperor Zurg be a part of the upcoming film. Zurg made his first appearance in Toy Story 2 which was voiceover by Andrew Stanton.
In the trailer, you have seen an ominous red-eyed robot who resembles Zurg Bots from Toy Story 2. For this Maclane said, “If the core elements of what Buzz is were to be paid off correctly, you would want to make sure that he had a laser, you’d probably want to make sure that he had rocket legs, and you’d probably want to make sure that at some point he had a recognizable antagonist. But of course, I’m not at liberty to say anything about anything at this time.”
Light Year Plot
The upcoming film is not a prequel to Toy Story. The film will focus on Buzz Lightyear’s character and that can be full of action as we have seen him in Toy Story as an action figure.
Just as the director puts it, Buzz Lightyear is definitely one of the most exciting characters of the film and it will be a delight to watch his character in a standalone story. So, it’s safe to say, that all animation lovers with an appetite for action can wait for this film with bated breath.