Mark your calendars because one of the world’s most recognisable animated characters is getting its own origin story.
The world was first introduced to Buzz Lightyear 26 years ago in the much loved first instalment of Disney’s Toy Story franchise. And now, he’s being reintroduced to an entirely new generation in Disney’s new movie Lightyear. The latest trailer, which was released on Thursday, shows Buzz as an astronaut, not a toy, and documents his flight to infinity and beyond.
The young Buzz is seen slowly climbing through the ranks before becoming the captain of the Universe Protection Unit of the Space Ranger Corps. Chris Evans, of Captain America fame, will replace the iconic Tim Allen in voicing the character.
“The phrase ‘a dream come true’ gets thrown around a lot, but I’ve never meant it more in my life,” Chris Evans said in a statement.
“Anyone who knows me knows that my love for animated films runs deep. I can’t believe that I get to be a part of the Pixar family … Watching them work is nothing short of magic. I pinch myself every day.”
Directed by Angus MacLane, the film is set to release in June 2022. “It’s a straightforward sci-fi action film about the Buzz Lightyear character,” MacLane told EW.
Clarifying on Twitter, Chris Evans said Lightyear is not about the action figure, but rather the character that inspired the toy.
“And just to be clear, this isn’t Buzz Lightyear the toy. This is the origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear that the toy is based on,” the actor tweeted.
The fourth and last movie in the Toy Story franchise which was released back in 2019, grossed $1 billion in the box office so it’s safe to say, Lightyear is set to be a huge success. Young fans of the original are now no longer children, most of them having kids of their own.
Lightyear is expected to land in Australian cinemas on 16 June 2022. Check out the teaser trailer below.
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