One of the most legendary voice performances of all time is Tim Allen's depiction of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise.
Allen first played Buzz in 1995's Toy Story and reprised the role in three sequels.
Pixar's Toy Story spinoff, Lightyear, is an origin story of the heroic space ranger. Captain America himself Chris Evans has stepped into the role, replacing Allen.
Lightyear's director, Angus MacLane has explained why Allen was replaced.
“Tim’s version of Buzz is a little goofier and is a little dumber, and so he is the comic relief," he told Vanity Fair.
"In this film, Buzz is the action hero. He’s serious and ambitious and funny, but not in a goofy way that would undercut the drama.
“Chris Evans has the gravitas and that movie star quality that our character needed to separate him and the movie from Tim’s version of the toy in Toy Story.”
The movie's producer Galyn Susman said it was important to differentiate this Buzz from toy Buzz.
“Tim really is the embodiment of the toy Buzz, and this isn’t the toy world, so it really doesn’t make sense," reports The Hollywood Reporter.
"There’s not really a role. It would just cause more confusion for audiences instead of helping them understand the movie we’re trying to tell.”
Evans is the new Buzz
As for Evans himself, he admits it was daunting to replace Allen due to how beloved Buzz is as a character.
“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 at the movie's premiere.
“But Angus and everyone at Pixar was so collaborative, and you kind of let them guide you. Eventually, you feel comfortable enough to make your own tracks in the snow and find your own interpretation, while still using Tim Allen as the blueprint.”
Related Movie
Lightyear
Animation / Scifi
2022 • 100 minutes
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