Pixar’s Lightyear Labor of Love will captivate our hearts and imagination. I love the Toy Story franchise. While I do enjoy all of Woody’s history, I have always been intrigued by Buzz. I do confess a soft spot for Spanish Buzz. So, it comes as no surprise that I am eagerly waiting for Lightyear. A Sci-Fi a la Pixar adventure that gives us a cinematic approach to animation. Definitively, it was a highlight to chat with the creators of this new film. Here are tantalizing excerpts of the press junket with the film makers.
Pixar’s Lightyear Labor of Love
As all things Pixar, you can expect attention to detail and breaking new ground in their movies. I think, this time around, their vision truly has gone out of this world.
Here is who we listened to:
- Angus MacLane (Director/Screenwriter) & Galyn Susman (Producer) – PAIRED
- Greg Peltz (Sets Art Director)
- Fran Kalal (Tailoring and Simulation Supervisor)
- Jane Yen (Visual Effects Supervisor)
- Jeremy Lasky (Director of Photography)
I do have to note that it was not an easy feat to choose the highlights from this press junkets to share with you. The care and passion devoted to bringing this movie to life oozes and is evidenced by all the details shared. But, alas, I chose:
Nostalgia and the Past
As the movie that Andy from Toy Story envisioned, the Lightyear team thoroughly looked at space, robotics, science, cats, time travel, family, technology, math and so much more. Yes, you know it. Lightyear is set to be an animated Sci-Fi with a cinematic experience at heart. Director Angus MacLane shared that: “Lightyear is a celebration of movies and sci-fi epics in general, but also inspired by the dark side of nostalgia, and the dangers of living in the past. As a director, it’s the movie I’ve always wanted to make. And as a film goer, it’s the movie I’ve always wanted to see.”
Buzz Gets a New Voice
Indeed, a big question Toy Story fans are asking is why isn’t Tim Allen reprising his role? On Chris Evans as their choice to voice buzz, Director Angus MacLane explained that they wanted to differentiate Buzz the toy from Buzz the space ranger. He knew exactly what he was looking for: “I knew that the character was iconic enough that you needed someone with gravitas and seriousness. And the balance of comedy and drama for the actor was a very narrow window of actors that could do it. There was a lot of comedy and serious action stuff that we’d seen Chris Evans do, and had always exemplified. I was always impressed by his ability to not seem too goofy but be able to laugh at himself. I think that’s really essential for the character.”
More About Love
Is love and so many of its forms are shared on screen. Perhaps the biggest one has to be Buzz’s love for making things right, probably his cat (I haven’t seen the entire film to say with certainty), and the people in his life. Perhaps, the most obvious love featured will be the love of two gay ladies. We got a glimpse of their love and family. And so does Buzz. It shows him what he doesn’t have, and just maybe what he has been missing out on in his pursuit.
Excitement for Everyone
Undoubtedly the film will get all of us space nerds excited. Agnus shares that Lightyear has obvious references to his favorite movie – Aliens from James Cameron. Yet, it is not intended for space geeks alone. There is lots of heart. Gaylan told us that: “We were certainly influenced by all the design aesthetics of these films, and certain scenes that evoke an emotion that sticks with you.” We will get laughs, screams, I suspect some opportunities for cheering and some others to bring this tissues out.
About Lightyear
Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is an all-new, original feature film that presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy—following the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure. But Buzz can’t do it alone—he shares space with a dutiful robot companion cat called Sox (voice of Peter Sohn).
A hidden grab bag of gizmos in a cute kitty package, Sox is Buzz’s go-to friend and sidekick. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), the sci-fi action-adventure releases on June 17, 2022.
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