Why Disney passed on Tim Allen in ‘Lightyear’: He’s ‘dumber’ not ‘castrated’

nypost.com:

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.

Instead, Chris Evans was recruited to provide the voice of the famous fictional space ranger in the film. Actress Patricia Heaton — who is also an outspoken conservative working in liberal Hollywood — took a swipe at Disney on Tuesday for failing to include Allen in the new project, writing on Twitter: “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.

Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?”But those involved in the “Lightyear” movie are now responding, saying the decision to exclude Allen was due to creative choices and was in no way connected to his politics. “Tim Allen is Buzz Lightyear the toy,” “Lightyear” producer Galyn Susman stated, according to Yahoo. “We weren’t making a ‘Toy Story’ movie.

We’re making Buzz Lightyear’s movie.”Indeed, “Lightyear” is an origin story that revolves around the “real” space ranger, whose daring adventures inspired the action figure, which was famously voiced by Allen and owned by a child named Andy in the original “Toy Story” films. “Lightyear” director Angus MacLane further explained in an interview with Vanity Fair: “Tim’s version of Buzz is a little goofier and is a little dumber, and so he is the comic relief.”He added: “In this film, Buzz is the action hero.