Billed as the “definitive origin story” of Buzz Lightyear, the aptly named Lightyear has been further teased in a new trailer.
Up top, catch the latest glimpse at the Toy Story franchise-expanding Disney and Pixar production, which features the voice talent of Chris Evans in the role of Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear. Also starring are Uzo Aduba, Peter Sohn, Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Efren Ramirez, Dale Soules, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Lightyear hits theaters on June 17, Emperor Zurg included. Pixar’s Angus MacLane, whose previous credits include Toy Story Toons: Small Fry and Toy Story of Terror, directs. In 2016, MacLane co-directed Finding Dory, the acclaimed sequel to Finding Nemo.
According to comments shared by Evans alongside the unveiling of a teaser trailer last October, “nothing” will ever top the Lightyear experience in the “joy and gratitude” department. “I’m covered in goosebumps,” the erstwhile Marvel actor said at the time.
In an apparent effort to get ahead of the easily confused among us who might meet Lightyear news with inquiries of the “what happened to Tim Allen?” variety, Pete Docter—Pixar’s chief creative officer—succinctly explained way back in 2020 how this isn’t “a Toy Story film.” Instead, it’s the inevitable bringing-to-life of a story within a story.
“Back when we created the very first Toy Story, we designed Buzz Lightyear with the idea that he was a toy based on some really cool character from an epic blockbuster film,” Docter said during that year’s Investor Day festivities. “All these years later, we decided it’s time to make that film.”
Of course, the spinoff doesn’t mark the first time fans have been given a closer look at the in-universe character of Buzz, i.e. the fictional ranger that preceded the toy. The 2000 direct-to-video entry Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins was first to this concept, followed by a Buzz Lightyear of Star Command series featuring the voice of Patrick Warburton.
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