Lightyear, Angus McLane’s Toy Story spinoff, is getting closer to its June 17, 2022, theatrical release date. While fans of the series are ecstatic, others are perplexed by the recasting of the legendary Buzz Lightyear, who had previously been played by Tim Allen for 27 years.
Pixar’s Lightyear intends to provide an appropriate history for the legendary Buzz, who has been a vital part of the Toy Story films and the first toy with an illusion of life. The idea for this next spinoff, on the other hand, is considerably different from the original Toy Story flicks. Angus MacLean, the Pixar animator and director, has said that he imagined a film featuring a real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy Buzz. The real-life Buzz’s travels would influence the toy later in the series, which is why he picked a different voice actor than the toy Buzz.
Why was Tim Allen dropped from the upcoming Toy Story spinoff Lightyear?
With fans confused, McClean clarified that Allen’s departure had nothing to do with the actor’s current troubles. While speaking about the subject, producer Galyn Susman stated:
“There was so much misunderstanding regarding our pitch at first that it became evident that we required some unambiguous delineators,…We need a new tone. And of course, our Buzz had to have hair. We wanted something to emphasize that this is not the Toy Story Buzz.”
In summary, the Buzz in the new film is not the same as the Buzz voiced by Allen in the previous Toy Story flicks. To emphasize this point, the authors chose a different voice for the new Buzz.
McClean also said that this film would neither be a precursor nor sequel to any of the Toy Story films. It will be a stand-alone film focusing just on the character of Buzz. McClane said,
“‘Set in the universe of Toy Story’ is strange. Another way to put it is that it’s a basic sci-fi action picture centered on the character of Buzz Lightyear… In the Toy Story world, it would be similar to a movie that Andy would have watched that made him desire a Buzz figure.”
An elite squad. Ladies and Gentlemen… the cast of #Lightyear 👨🚀👉👈👩🚀 pic.twitter.com/Kb9gtLGEba
— Pixar’s Lightyear (@PixarsLightyear) June 9, 2022
The creators’ original choice was Chris Evans. McClean thought he needed someone who could be amusing without being silly and who could speak with gravitas. During a news conference, he stated:
“I wanted someone who wasn’t going to be silly or humorous. It is quite difficult to create a secondary character to a primary character. You should take a step back and reconsider your options. I understood that the role was legendary enough that you required someone with gravity and seriousness, and that the balance of humor and drama for the actor was a very, very tiny window.”
Buzz’s adventure throughout the galaxy with his robot buddy and a youthful set of trainees will be the focus of Lightyear. This will include a genuine Buzz and will supposedly serve as inspiration for Andy’s toy in the flicks.
