Disney announced today that Chris Evans would be voicing “the original Buzz Lightyear” in a new Pixar film, Lightyear, which is set to arrive in theaters on 17 June, 2022.
The announcement came as part of Disney’s four-hour investors presentation, which also included major news around forthcoming Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar movies and TV shows.
Disney also shared a first look at the new Lightyear feature, which depicts the beloved Toy Story character (originally voiced by Tim Allen in all four earlier movies) as a “young test pilot that became the Space Ranger we all know him to be today.”
Finding Dory co-director Angus MacLane will helm Lightyear.
Allen previously reprised his role as Buzz Lightyear in 2019’s Toy Story 4.
“It’s a very different Pixar movie,” he told Us Weekly at the time.
“It’s not somber, but very reflective, layered. I put too much into it because I’m involved in it. I’m too close to it. I literally had a tough time watching it, because it brought up some of my own personal stuff about loss, change, moving on. It’s heartwarming. A little tough, but essentially pays off.”
Pixar also shared a first look at its new original film from director Domee Shi titled Turning Red, about a young girl named Mei who turns into a red panda when she gets too excited. Turning Red is set to hit theaters on 11 March, 2022, a few months before Lightyear.
The animation company will soon release Soul on Disney+ on Christmas Day, with a follow-up, Luca, coming in June 2021.
