There’s no doubt that 2022 will be a hugely exciting year for Disney fans, particularly with Lightyear arriving in cinemas.
The Toy Story prequel/spin-off will star Chris Evans as the original Buzz Lightyear and follows the space hero as he works his way from young test pilot to iconic Space Ranger – and today, Disney released the film’s first teaser trailer.
Set to David Bowie’s Starman, the clip gives fans a sneak-peek at the animated Lightyear as he shoots across space alongside a robot sidekick and a team of astronauts, before we see him size up his legendary green outfit.
Animated movie were an enormous part of my childhood. They were my escape. My adventures. My dreams.
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) October 27, 2021
They were my first window into the magic of storytelling and performing.
To @pixar and @AngusMacLane:
‘Thank you’ doesn’t even come close❤️#Lightyear pic.twitter.com/DD1N7aYhKT
Alongside the trailer, Evans released his own statement, writing: “The phrase ‘a dream come true’ gets thrown around a lot, but I’ve never meant it more in my life. 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 and work with these truly brilliant artists who tell stories unlike anyone else. Watching them work is nothing short of magic. I pinch myself every day.”
Read on for everything we know so far about Lightyear.
Lightyear release date
According to Pixar, Lightyear set to arrive in theatres on Friday 17th June 2022.
What is Lightyear about?
This Toy Story spin-off will tell the “definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear” – the young test pilot who became a Space Ranger, Pixar teases.
Lightyear will look at the space hero behind the Buzz Lightyear toys within the Toy Story universe, with Finding Dory co-director Angus MacLane taking the lead on the project.
While little else is know about Lightyear at the moment, keep this page bookmarked for further updates on the exciting spin-off.
Who is Buzz Lightyear based on?
Within the Pixar universe, the toy Buzz Lightyear is modelled after a “real” Space Ranger of the same name, with the toy (voiced by Tim Allen) believing in the first Toy Story film that he is in fact the real Buzz Lightyear whose mission is to protect the galaxy from villain Emperor Zurg.
However, Pixar producers were inspired by Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, who was the second person to walk on the Moon, when naming Buzz Lightyear, director John Lasseter reveals in a Toy Story 3 featurette.
Who is the voice of Buzz Lightyear?
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We don’t know much about the film’s cast as of yet, however we do know that Captain America’s Chris Evans will be voicing the original Buzz Lightyear.
Moving from Avengers superhero to Pixar space ranger, Evans is best known for starring in the original Fantastic Four films, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Lives Out, Gifted and of course, the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.
Lightyear trailer
Pixar released a teaser trailer for Lightyear on 27th October, teasing the slick animation and giving fans a first-look at the original Buzz Lightyear.
In December last year, Pixar announced the news of its release with a 30-second teaser video and a first look at the film’s Buzz Lightyear.
Here’s a first look of the young test pilot that became the Space Ranger we all know him to be today. Lightyear launches into theaters June 17, 2022. pic.twitter.com/QfXnHsBLcO
— Pixar (@Pixar) December 11, 2020