Lightyear – An Outstanding Origin Awaits?

I do not doubt that many of us fans of Pixar’s many masterpieces [10], including Coco and Ratatouille are looking forward to the release of Luca this Summer [4] [11] [13]. Ever since after the remarkable acclaim of Toy Story 4 that was considered to be the sprinkles on the cake that is the Toy Story franchise nine years after Toy Story 3 was considered to be the perfect finale [17] [18], some of us have been wondering how the franchise could possibly continue without a single sign of it becoming stale before our owners return to their bedrooms, leading us to have to slump to the floor and remain lifeless until they leave again. I am highly fascinated at how the near future of the Toy Story franchise appears to be going in a potentially better direction rather than just spewing out a “Toy Story 5” that would seem to be quite unnecessary unless its events took place before the first Toy Story masterpiece for Summer 2022 after the release and marketing of Turning Red next Spring [11]. Should I just give in and not state my thoughts on the concept for a forthcoming spin-off of an iconic franchise? Not today, Zurg [16]!

So, how can the franchise excel even further after the outstanding acclaim of Toy Story 4 [18]? [23]

The teased project from Pixar has officially been titled “Lightyear” as a sign that it will be heavily focused on a specific time in Buzz Lightyear’s life [11]. In a teased image, Buzz seems to be wearing a different suit, especially a completely different helmet as he grins confidently [21]. This is highly similar to how Captain Marvel wore pine green attire as “Vers” in her live-action movie [3]. His face looks more human-like and similar to the design of Mr. Incredible’s face [25] [26], meaning that the premise will NOT be set in a child’s bedroom where toys that come to life reside in. This is a huge sign of the film being set in his origin. You know, before a promotion that gave him the suit we saw on the popular figure based on him [15] [16]. Considering how the new interpretation of Buzz will NOT be an action figure, could there be a brief moment of children around Andy’s age about watch the movie at a cinema way before the events of Toy Story 3, resulting in a “Yo Dawg” moment [5]? As a test pilot, according to the description on the official Pixar website [11], a less experienced Buzz is sure to show some determination to earn the promotion that would lead to the Buzz we knew and loved since 1995 [15].

Buzz will apparently be a test pilot in the forthcoming spin-off [11], leading to some new character development that has not been seen by fans of the Toy Story franchise before. [21]

It appears that the iconic space ranger will have a different voice for his supposed origin [21]. I do not mind the noble space ranger being voiced by Chris Evans instead of Tim Allen, as long as the performance is just as highly engaging. Jim Hanks, the brother of Tom Hanks has voiced Woody outside of the films and he sounds almost as convincing [1] [12]. More importantly, the plot of Lightyear ought to consist of remarkable character development when it comes to portraying him as the way he was before he became an official space ranger. Toy Story 4 has shown some great development on Woody as he has refrained from making the same mistake he made in the first Toy Story film [15] [18]. When he is no longer the favourite toy of Bonnie, he tries to protect him at all costs for her as his creator instead of knocking him out of a window out of jealously. Whether Buzz Lightyear will have a different voice actor or not [21], there will need to be an extraordinary evolution of him since how a character is portrayed is slightly more important than how outstanding the performance of whoever voices the character will be.

Well, at least Buzz will not sound like that miniature version of him from Small Fry in Lightyear [14]. What is more important though is how likeable he will be. [22]

There will be hope that the events of the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command timeline that was established from 2000 to 2001 will still be considered canon, despite how it oddly featured traditional 2D animation compared to the animation in the first film at its sequel [15] [16] [19] [20]. The way to make this possible would be to ether reference or welcome back characters, such as Princess Mira Nova and Booster Sinclair Munchapper in the stunningly advanced 3D animation that many modern Pixar films have been recognisable for [4] [5] [10] [19]. Who knows? They might as well return in brand new outfits just before converting to the attire they wore in the television series in perhaps a new headcanon, especially Mira [2]. Surely Toy Story Treats have been considered non-canon due to how considering them canon would result in inconsistencies [24], but we shall see if Lightyear will or will not contradict anything from Buzz Lightyear of Star Commanded once its official trailer is released. To those who considered themselves fans of the animated special and the television series that were inspired from it back in the early 2000s [19] [20], there will be hope that there will be signs of them not being forgotten like many memories of Riley from Inside Out in the events of Lightyear [5].

A little shout-out to all of the 2000s kids who remember this animated special and the television series set after its events [19] [20]. Could their events still be considered canon or will there be an alternate continuation in Lightyear? [20]

In conclusion, I would be more than interested to see Buzz Lightyear’s origin within a spin-off of such an iconic animated saga [11] [21]. We can tell that the franchise has come a long way since the test footage that featured Woody and Buzz in their earlier interpretations that never made it to the final result of the first film [7]. I am still up for a Toy Story 5 someday, just as long as its events will tell the story of how Woody became Andy’s favourite toy before the arrival of Buzz [15]. Sometimes it is wiser to establish a prequel to answer unanswered questions than make a continuation that would be considered unnecessary. It worked for Monsters University [8] [9], right? I am sure that there might be any signs of some toys that are based on what is seen in Buzz’s origin being bought in Andy’s local area in perhaps the beginning or conclusion of the forthcoming spin-off to honour the prime premise of the main Toy Story saga [15] [16] [17] [18]. For now, the wonderfully talented and hardworking people at Pixar Animation Studios ought to not let the prospector out of the box until July 2022 [11] [21]. Can Mr. Lightyear still fly…or fall with style [15]?

To infinity…and beyond! [21]

References

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