Actor Chris Evans (right) will be voicing Buzz Lightyear, not the toy but the person the toy is based on, in a new Pixar film. Photos: Handouts
Captain America is going "to infinity and beyond!"
Chris Evans is set to voice the iconic action figure Buzz Lightyear in an all-new animated film, titled Lightyear, Pixar's chief creative officer Pete Docter announced on Thursday (Dec 10) during Disney Investor Day.
Evans took to Twitter to share his excitement about the new film shortly after the announcement, writing,"I don't even have the words."
He added: "And just to be clear, this isn't Buzz Lightyear the toy. This is the origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear that the toy is based on."
The animated pic, due in theatres June 17,2022, is billed as the "definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear" – the hero who inspired the toy, voiced by Tim Allen in four Toy Story films, from 1995 to 2019.
Coincidentally, Evans retired his own iconic role in 2019, hanging up his shield as Captain America after Avengers: Endgame after eight years and 11 MCU films (including uncredited cameos).
Docter referenced Evans' long history with Disney during the presentation, joking about luring the actor from Marvel Studios to Pixar.
Blasting into theaters June 17,2022, Lightyear is the definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear. Voiced by @ChrisEvans, get ready to go to “infinity and beyond” with Lightyear. pic.twitter.com/LdYXlN33sP
— Pixar (@Pixar) December 11,2020
Docter also announced another upcoming theatrical release, titled Turning Red.
The film, from Oscar-winning director Domee Shi, is about a girl named Mei, who turns into a giant red panda when she gets too excited.
During Walt Disney Animation Studios' presentation, chief creative officer Jennifer Lee announced the studio's 60th animated film, Encanto.
The Colombia-set film is directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, co-directed and co-written by Charise Castro Smith, and features music written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who gave investors a small taste of what they'll see and hear in the magical film.
"We have fallen in love with the people and culture and the crossroads of musical styles that exist in the region," Miranda said of the studio representing Colombia through the production.
Encanto will be released in November 2021, following Raya And The Last Dragon, which will debut simultaneously on Disney plus Premiere Access and in theatres in March 2021.
This Fall, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new film Encanto takes you to Colombia, where a magical family live in a magical home. Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, co-directed and co-written by Charise Castro Smith, and music written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. pic.twitter.com/bdxag3SzPv
— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) December 11,2020
