Lightyear drops a new trailer, reveals its cast, and introduces a talking robot cat

Virgin Radio

9 Feb 2022, 08:17

If there is a movie guaranteed to take us to infinity and beyond this summer, it’s the massively-anticipated new Disney and Pixar adventure, Lightyear.

Following the release of a teaser trailer towards the end of last year, a full trailer has now dropped and, in doing so, has introduced us to some of Buzz’s crew and the actors that voice them. The new clip also introduces a character that threatens to steal the limelight from everyone else in the movie… a very cute and funny talking robot cat! 

First things first though, an explainer in case you are confused. Whilst Lightyear is a Toy-Story spin-off, it actually tells the origin story of the ‘real life’ Buzz, upon which the much-loved action figure in the Toy Story franchise is based. 

The narrative will see the actual human Buzz rise through the ranks to become captain of the Universe Protection Unit of the Space Ranger corps, and go on an intergalactic adventure.

The titular character is not voiced by Tim Allen, who played the toy version of Buzz in the quadrilogy, but instead by Chris Evans (no, not our Chris Evans). Evans is joined by an excellent vocal cast, including Taika Waititi, who directed Thor: Love and Thunder and has acted in movies such as Jojo Rabbit and What We Do In The Shadows.

Also in the new movie will be Emmy Award winner Keke Palmer, Orange Is The New Black’s Dale Soules, and Golden Globe winner James Brolin. Uzo Aduba, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Efren Ramirez and Isiah Whitlock Jr feature as well. 

Sox the Robot Cat is voiced by Peter Sohn, who has provided voices for a number of Pixar/Disney characters. Sox seems set to be a big hit with audiences, as he becomes Buzz's companion and, if the trailer is anything to go by, will provide plenty of light relief.

You can watch the trailer here: 

In a statement, director Angus MacLane said: “In Toy Story there seemed to be this incredible backstory to [Buzz Lightyear] being a Space Ranger that’s only touched upon, and I always wanted to explore that world further.” 

The statement continues: “So my Lightyear pitch was, ‘What was the movie that Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy?’ I wanted to see that movie. And now I’m lucky enough to get to make it.”

Lightyear will be released in cinemas on June 17th, 2022.