Pixar made a couple of huge announcements during its Disney Investor Day presentation. In addition to showcasing its next two feature films Soul and Luca, it revealed its next films after that!
The first one was pretty unexpected. Pixar is working on a Buzz Lightyear science-fiction film titled Lightyear. The film was described as “If Buzz the toy is based on an actual sci-fi character, this is that character.” However, don’t expect Tim Allen to voice Buzz. Pixar has hired Chris Evans to voice the real Buzz.
Here’s the title reveal:
The film will hit theaters on June 17, 2022.
Pixar also announced Turning Red, a new film from Domee Shi, the director of Bao. The film follows “Mei, who is experiencing the awkwardness of being a teenager with a twist – when she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda.” The film will hit theaters on March 11, 2022.
Pixar also announced three television series for Disney+: Dug Days, a spin-off of Up; a Lightning McQueen series; and Win or Lose. You can read more on these series at Polygon.
I’m glad Pixar is sticking with original films for at least the next couple of years. Yes, I will count Lightyear as an original film since it looks to be taking the character in a whole different direction. My only question is if Lightyear will at all be connected to the previous animated Buzz Lightyear series from the early 2000s? I’m going to hold out for a “yes” from Pixar.
What do you think of Pixar’s 2022 slate of films? Do you think Lightyear will launch a whole new film series in the wider Toy Story franchise?
