Tim Allen, who lends his voice to Buzz Lightyear in the saga “Toy Story”, speaks for the first time on the change of voice cast and his replacement by Chris Evans in the latest Pixar film.
In Buzz Lightyear, the hero is voiced by Chris Evans in the original version (and by François Civil in the French version). In the Toy Story saga started in 1996 by John Lasseter, the Space Ranger has the voice of Tim Allen (and that of Richard Darbois in French).
At the announcement of the change in voice casting for the latest Pixar film, fans rose up, demanding the return of Tim Allen. But Buzz Lightyear takes place before the events of Toy Story and it’s not about the toy.
Angus MacLane’s film, released on June 22 in our theaters, is indeed the film that young Andy saw before claiming the Buzz doll from his parents. This is the hero who brought the toy to life.
If so far the original voice actor had not reacted to this change, he has just done so, and for him, the Buzz Lightyear of the last Pixar film has nothing to do with the Buzz Lightyear. Lightning from Toy Story. Hence this replacement.
“The short answer is that I stayed out of it all because it had nothing to do [avec mon personnage]”, he told Extra of the spin-off. “It’s a whole new team that really has nothing to do with the first movies.”
bestimage Tim Allen at the premiere of “Toy Story 4”
Tim Allen went on to explain that he had spoken to the studio years before about a potential Buzz Lightyear-centric movie and also revealed that he originally thought Buzz Lightyear was a live-action project and not an animated film. The actor also regretted the lack of connection between the feature film by Angus MacLane and the Toy Story saga.
It’s a wonderful story, but it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the toy. There is no relation to my Buzz. I wish there was a better connection.
The film is indeed centered on the youth of Buzz Lightyear, from his arrival on the hostile planet to his meeting with the young recruits of the Zap Patrol. The only real link with the mother saga is the presence of Emperor Zurg, Buzz’s sworn enemy since the first Toy Story.
For his part, Chris Evans had already spoken in December 2020 and said that no one could match Tim Allen.
Backgrid UK / Bestimage
Chris Evans at the premiere of “Buzz Lightyear”
“Tworking with Pixar is a dream come true. I’ve been a big fan of their films since the beginning. My team couldn’t contain their excitement when they told me Pixar had something for me. All they said was, “Buzz Lightyear.”
I didn’t understand what that meant because, to me, Buzz is Tim Allen and no one can match his performance. I needed to know how this story was different and why it was worth telling.
I can tell you two things with absolute certainty: 1 – I couldn’t help but smile throughout the pitch. 2 – Everyone can have peace of mind. And be very enthusiastic. Believe me when I tell you that the Pixar teams really know what they are doing. This movie is going to be very special, I really can’t put my excitement into words. I smile every time I think about it.”
Buzz Lightyear is currently in theaters.
Meeting with the French voices of Buzz L’Eclair