‘Lightyear’ Review: Pixar’s Latest Is OK, But “To Infinity & Beyond” Really Only Means To An Inevitable Sequel

Malaysia and other Muslim countries have banned "Lightyear" from playing in theaters after Disney refused to cut a same-sex kissing scene from the animated film. The Disney Pixar film was released in theaters on June 17. Malaysia's Film Censorship Board said it approved the movie with parental guidance for those under 13 on the condition of modifications.

“Lightyear,” Disney and Pixar’s animated feature that’s a spinoff and origin story of the beloved “Toy Story” character Buzz Lightyear, made $5.2 million at the box office in its preview screenings. The film opens in the U.S. and Canada on Friday in over 4,200 theaters.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaDisney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” blasted off with a respectable $5.2 million in Thursday previews.The film, a spinoff of the “Toy Story” franchise, looks at the fictional astronaut character who was in a movie the inspired the Buzz Lightyear action figure who enchanted Andy and who later became BFFs with Woody (got that?). But this Buzz Lightyear, much to Patricia Heaton’s rather evocative dismay, is voiced not by Tim Allen, whose dulcet pipes graced all four “Toy Story” flicks, but by the Star Command-ing cadences of one Chris Evans.“Lightyear” is expected to launch to between $70 million to $80 million and will screen in 4,200 North American theaters. That should be a big enough number to secure first place at the box office, as well as all the attendant bragging rights that come with that perch.

Patricia Heaton-induced chatter about the latter being “castrated” by the new film.“My younger version would have just been pinching himself,” Evans said of taking over the role during a sit-down with “Good Morning America.”The Boston native stressed that he has been a big fan of Disney and Pixar animations — and the “untouchable” Allen — since he was a kid.Before taking on the role to infinity and beyond, Evans admitted that he “certainly studied” Allen’s voice work on all four of the “Toy Story” films.“Look, Tim Allen is Buzz Lightyear,” Evans went on. “What he did in those movies is so iconic and so loved, and I’d be a fool not to incorporate some of his choices into this role.”The “Home Improvement” star, 69, portrayed the astronaut doll in the Disney flicks from 1995 until 2019.“Knives Out” star Evans continued, “The character in this movie is the human version that the toy is based off of, so it makes sense to have a little bit of overlap, luckily for me.

animated film “Lightyear” from the country’s cinemas after refusing to cut scenes promoting homosexuality.The Film Censorship Board said it approved the movie with parental guidance for those under 13 on the condition of modifications. Scenes and dialogues that it “found to contain elements promoting the LGBT lifestyle which violate key aspects of the Guidelines on the Film Censorship” were ordered to “be cut and muted,” the board said in a statement.“However, the film distributors did not agree to comply with the instructions” and decided instead to cancel the screening, the board said, adding that it would not compromise on any LGBTQ scenes.

Chris Evans was "very" humbled when he played Buzz Lightyear in the Disney film "Lightyear," which hits theaters on Friday. The "Captain America" star was a guest on "Good Morning America" on Thursday and discussed voicing the character from the "Toy Story" franchise, which originally was voiced by Tim Allen.  "My younger version would have just been pinching himself," he said. Evans shared that he has been a huge fan of Disney and Pixar animations since he was a child.

Terry Flores The VIEW Conference will host a virtual talk with the filmmakers behind Pixar’s “Lightyear” on Tuesday, June 28, and has announced the first speakers for its largely in-person event in Turin, Italy, from Oct. 16-21.The free PreVIEW online event features director Angus MacLane, producer Galyn Susman, animation supervisor David DeVan and simulation and tailoring supervisor Fran Kalal.

Actor Chris Evans has spoken out in response to criticism about the same-sex kiss that’s featured in the latest Disney and Pixar animated film Lightyear. Evans voices the main character, Buzz Lightyear in the film and has been nonplussed by those who have expressed anger towards a scene which shows Buzz’s fellow astronaut Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) kissing her partner of the same sex.  In an interview with Variety, the actor said that “there’s always going to be people who are afraid and unaware and trying to hold onto what as before. But those people die off like dinosaurs.

Wall-E.” Running time: 100 minutes. Rated PG (action/peril).

Get TicketsThe cast is filled with a legendary crew that includes Chris Evans (voices Buzz Lightyear), Keke Palmer (voices Izzy Hawthorne), Taika Waititi (voices Mo Morrison), James Brolin (voices Zurg) and many more talented actors. We know you're ready to fill your nostalgic heart with this intergalactic tale, so we have all the details on when, where and how you can watch — along with how you can stream the first four  movies and more.  releases in theaters on Friday, June 17, so you don't have long to wait to see Buzz Lightyear face off against the evil Emperor Zurg. Currently, there isn't a date set for when will make its way to the streaming service. Disney typically has a 30- or 45-day window of theatrical exclusivity, so will likely begin streaming between July 17 and Aug. 1.If you want to refresh your memory on everything related to the franchise, you can stream all four movies on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.

Yahoo, McLane discussed the decision to cast Evans in the role, explaining that the upcoming film’s premise — which isn’t about the Buzz Lightyear toy from the “Toy Story” films, but the movie that toy is based on — has begun to confuse audiences, and that the inclusion of Tim Allen as the “original” Buzz Lightyear would just “add to the confusion.”“Toy Story’s” beloved space ranger action figure was voiced by Tim Allen in the first four installments, but Allen was not approached for this “sidequel.” MacLane explains that Buzz the action figure, voiced by Allen, “is a little goofier and is a little dumber, and so he is the comic relief. In this film, Buzz is the action hero.

conservative political beliefs. Allen, 69, famously voiced the Buzz Lightyear action figurine in all four “Toy Story” movies, so fans are surprised the actor isn’t involved in the new spin-off-movie, set for release on Friday.

Buzz Lightyear origin story from Pixar Animation Studios and Disney releases in cinemas this Friday. The movie, which is a spin-off from the studio’s legendary Toy Story film series, will show Buzz as the astronaut the toy is based on, who winds up stranded many lightyears from Earth and on a desperate mission to return home.

Chris Evans is back in Boston!

Chris Evans is proud to see “Lightyear” pushing LGBTQ representation forward.

Chris Evans is speaking out to slam the homophobic critics of his new movie Lightyear.

Patricia Heaton spoke out against Disney and stood up for her longtime friend Tim Allen after seeing the new trailer for the upcoming "Toy Story" spinoff based on the Buzz Lightyear character, aptly titled "Lightyear."  The "Everybody Loves Raymond" star took to Twitter to decry the new movie: "Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal @ofctimallen." She added: "Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns.Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?" Allen, 69, has voiced the astronaut doll character since 1995, and reprised the role for "Toy Story 2," "Toy Story 3," and "Toy Story 4" in addition to a host of other projects. Chris Evans stars as the new Buzz Lightyear in the upcoming film.

Zack Sharf Chris Evans is taking a stand against anyone criticizing “Lightyear” for featuring a gay kiss between two female characters. The actor recently told Reuters that film and TV viewers who opposite diversity and more inclusive on-screen representation are “idiots” who will eventually “die off like dinosaurs.” Evans said it’s important not to pay any attention to such toxic viewers and criticisms.As Variety exclusively reported in March, Pixar restored the gay kiss in “Lightyear” after uproar from staffers over the decision to remove it. The kiss is brief and is included during a montage sequence that depicts the life of Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba).

Patricia Heaton is voicing her concerns about Disney and Pixar’s starring Chris Evans. On Monday, actress took to Twitter to share her thoughts on Evans playing Buzz Lightyear and not her friend, Tim Allen -- who did the voice of the space ranger toy in the franchise. “Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal @ofctimallen,” the 64-year-old actress wrote.

Speaking her mind! Patricia Heaton didn’t hold back when it came to the decision to make Lightyear without Tim Allen.

is gay — come after the flick was banned in 14 countries due to a kiss shared between two female characters, according to the Independent. “The real truth is, those people are idiots.” stated Evans, 41, during an interview with Reuters that was released Tuesday.“Every time there’s been social advancement as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth and that’s what makes us good,” he added.

No big deal. Chris Evans wishes that the decision to include LGBTQ+ characters in his new film, Lightyear, didn’t cause so much controversy.

Chris Evans in "Lightyear," not Tim Allen, who voiced the Buzz Lightyear character in four "Toy Story" films. "Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns," she wrote. "Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?"Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal @ofctimallen Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns.

Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle actress Patricia Heaton is not happy with Disney/Pixar for casting Chris Evans and not Tim Allen in Lightyear.

Chris Evans is proud to see “Lightyear” pushing LGBTQ representation forward.

Pixar‘s Lightyear against anti-gay critics, describing them as “idiots”.The actor, who voices a human version of Buzz Lightyear in the upcoming Toy Story spin-off, has praised its depiction of a gay couple, saying those who criticise it should be ignored.“The real truth is those people are idiots,” said Evans (via The Guardian). “Every time there’s been social advancement as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth and that’s what makes us good.”Lightyear has reportedly been banned in over 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, due to a scene that depicts a same-sex kiss.“There’s always going to be people who are afraid and unaware and trying to hold on to what was before.

Disney on blast for replacing Allen with “Captain America” star Chris Evans in the new “Toy Story” spin-off, “Lightyear.”“Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns,” the 64-year-old sitcom star fumed on Tuesday in a viral Twitter thread with thousands of shares. “Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?”Allen, 69, had memorably voiced the irrepressible wannabe astronaut 1995’s original “Toy Story,” along with its sequels “Toy Story 2” and “Toy Story 3,” as well as countless other projects.

Patricia Heaton isn’t impressed with Pixar’s “Lightyear” casting decision.

Lightyear in a sleek white dress with a feathered hem, and she looks absolutely radiant.ICYMI, Lightyear is about the adventures of Buzz Lightyear, an adult man in the Pixar Universe whose likeness inspires the Buzz Lightyear toy Andy plays with in Toy Story. Voiced by Chris Evans, he's, I dunno, a space ranger or something.

Chris Evans thrilled young hospital patients at a surprise pre-release screening for Disney and Pixar’s upcoming film Lightyear, in which he plays the starring role. Patients and their families at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital were greeted by the star on Monday at the screening in the hospital’s CW+ MediCinema – one of six in-hospital cinemas the charity runs in the UK. Before attending the London premiere that evening, the former Captain America actor spent time with young patients, signing posters and chatting to them and their families.

Chris Evans is opening up about his role in Lightyear.

Angelique Jackson Chris Evans certainly has the market cornered on superheroes, voicing the iconic space ranger Buzz Lightyear shortly after hanging up (and handing over) his shield as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Captain America.At the world premiere of the Disney-Pixar animated movie on June 8, Evans admitted that taking on the voice role was “intimidating,” especially when following the work of Tim Allen as Buzz in the four “Toy Story” films.“The first time you have to do that iconic line, ‘To Infinity and Beyond…,’ you kind of just do a shameless Tim Allen impression. It’s intimidating,” Evans told Variety, crediting “Lightyear” director Angus MacLane and the Pixar team for helping him craft his own take on the voice.

A spinoff was bound to come out sooner or later. Did we need an origin story to the Buzz Lightyear character from Toy Story? No. BUT the Lightyear film by Angus MacLane certainly does know how to build a world around the character we only learned about through the toy story franchise. The film is about a flight, failure, and working together to achieve a common goal.

Chris Evans shares a huge laugh with Taika Waititi and Keke Palmer while arriving at the premiere of Lightyear at Cineworld Leicester Square on Monday (June 13) in London.