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- Tim Allen, the voice of Buzz on Toy Story, was replaced by Chris Evans on Lightyear.
- Evans took inspiration from Allen’s Buzz, but ultimately didn’t overlap “in terms of their cadence.”
- Allen said he wanted “a better connection” between Toy Story and Lightyear.
- Tom Hanks, who voiced Woody in Toy Story, questioned Allen and his character’s absence.
Pixar’s Lightyear hit theaters last month with a new buzz in the galaxy: Chris Evans.
The new animated film serves as the origin story for serious space ranger Buzz Lightyear – the character created by Tim Allen in 1995’s “Toy Story,” voiced here (as a cartoon human rather than a plastic guy) by Evans.
Lightyear is essentially the 1995 film that Andy, the boy from Toy Story, became obsessed with and spawned the buzz toy that Andy famously got for his birthday.
Due to the structure of the film, the plot differs from the perception as “Toy Story 5”. Evans, pronouncing Buzz instead of Allen, also allows viewers to delve into a different mindset.
The decision to cast Evans as Buzz weighed heavily on the “Captain America” star, prompting comments from Allen and Tom Hanks, who played Woody, one of Andy’s favorite toys.
Here’s what she — and the film’s director — said about the casting decision.
‘To infinity and beyond!’:How ‘Lightyear’ Buzz’s signature quote from ‘Toy Story’ brings new emotional weight
Tim Allen discusses why he’s not the voice of Buzz on ‘Lightyear.’
Allen revealed that the idea of a buzz spinoff was discussed with him in the past but never materialized. “The boss who made the first four films is not (involved). This is a whole new team that really had nothing to do with the first films,” he told Extra on June 29.
“I thought it was live action. When they said they were doing live-action, that would mean real people, not animated things,” Allen continued.
The Home Improvement alum also criticized the film for not having a woody character. “Really, Hanks and I, well, there’s really no ‘Toy Story’ buzz without Woody,” he said.
Commenting on the plot, the actor said, “This was done in 1997, it seemed like a big adventure story, and I see ‘Lightyear’ isn’t a big adventure story. There doesn’t seem to be any connection to the toy.”
“It’s just not a connection. I wish there was a better connection,” he added
A representative for Allen declined to comment to the US TODAY.
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Chris Evans talks about being inspired by Tim Allen and carving a new buzz
“The reason we’re doing this movie is because Tim Allen was so iconic,” Evans told USA TODAY just before the June 17 premiere of “Lightyear.” “Not only would you be a fool not to take his interpretation because it worked so well, but the truth is that this character is actually the human version of this toy, so there must be some overlap in terms of their cadence and nature give. “
However, it took Evans a while to find the right voice acting mojo. “In the beginning, I almost felt like a deer in the headlights,” he recalls. “I would just be so quiet. You are so focused on your voice that it would rest almost every other part of my body. But with every passing session you find a little more comfort and before you know it you are embodying your physicality and that would affect the deliveries.”
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Tom Hanks asks why Tim Allen Buzz isn’t speaking in ‘Lightyear’ and Woody’s absence
Hanks, who currently stars in Elvis, was asked by CinemaBlend what it’s like to have a movie in theaters alongside Lightyear. “Actually, I wanted to compete against Tim Allen, but then they didn’t let Tim Allen. I don’t understand,” he replied.
Referring to Evans as Buzz’s new voice, Hanks said, “Here’s the thing: I want to go back to the theater with some strangers and go with something together. That’s what I want to do and see a movie with (Allen in) – I’m looking forward to that.”
Review:Chris Evans’ Buzz Is More Awesome Than Plastic In Pixar’s Chic ‘Lightyear’
“Lightyear” director speaks of conscious decision not to cast Tim Allen
Lightyear director Angus MacLane told USA TODAY he doesn’t want to cast an Allen impressionist or even a “superheroic guy” for Buzz, but someone who “has an impressive presence that can also be funny without being silly.” .
The filmmaker noted that Evans was in Bong Joon-ho’s dystopian film Snowpiercer, “where you could really see the breadth of what Chris could do.”
MacLane told Newsweek last month, “We needed an actor who could be heroic and emotional and dramatic but funny, and also be funny in a way that wasn’t too silly and didn’t undermine the drama. So, with that in mind, for such an iconic character, we needed an iconic star, and Chris was the natural choice.
How does “Lightyear” keep up with critics?
Lightyear didn’t go to infinity (or beyond) in its first theatrical weekend: Pixar’s first major theatrical release since March 2020, the studio estimates, exploded at $51 million on June 19 in its first weekend in North America.
However, the space adventure (★★★ of four) gives Buzz’s catchphrase “to infinity and beyond” new meaning and adds some Easter eggs that will make old fans smile, writes USA TODAY’s Brian Truitt. Don’t overdo it with the Toy Story connections. “Instead, it embraces a more cosmic ‘Bad News Bears’ vibe, as a disgruntled Buzz wants to do everything himself and is forced to learn the importance of having a crew behind you,” the review adds.
Featuring: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY; Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
