Cars 2 is the worst Cars film in the series, but for all its flaws, it has the potential to set up the best spin-off that would follow a $7.8 billion franchise. Cars 2 is not only the worst film of all three but also possibly the worst Pixar movie ever made, ranking last of all 28 Pixar movies. While Mater is a heartwarming character, there is just too much going on for Cars 2 to captivate audiences. In general, the Cars franchise is not Pixar’s best, but Cars and Cars 3 are objectively better—two films focusing solely on racing.

On the other hand, Cars 2 went in two different directions entirely, with the film trying to incorporate both espionage and racing. The results were disastrous, with the movie struggling to make back its $200 million budget domestically and internationally. The Cars franchise seems to do best when it revolves around its original hero, Lightning McQueen, and his racing career. However, the dabbling into espionage in Cars 2 definitely piqued interest and provided the potential for a future spin-off series.

Cars 2 Proved A James Bond-Style Spy Spinoff Could Work

The Film’s Opening Scene Teased A New Inspiration For The Franchise

Cars 2 may be the worst Cars and Pixar film, but incorporating the spy storyline sets up a potential James Bond-inspired spin-off series. The opening scene looks promising with the introduction of Finn McMissile, a spy on a mission to rescue a compromised coworker. Viewers watch Finn infiltrate a top-secret hideout to find his friend and discover what villainous cars are up to.

Finn’s mission is reminiscent of a James Bond film. Finn’s friend dies, but he does manage to escape. Although Cars 2 becomes a mess after this opening scene, it remains a compelling introduction that has become forgotten thanks to the rest of the movie’s poor reputation. The fact that even a film of Cars 2‘s quality could make an espionage movie featuring cars seem intriguing (before admittedly spoiling its own premise) proves that the idea has potential in another context.

A Spy Spinoff Series Could Help Reinvent The Cars Franchise

Expanding The Cars Universe

The opening scene of Cars 2 sets up a whole new possibility for the franchise. Cars 3 wraps up Lightning McQueen’s story nicely, and the hidden world of espionage paves the way for new characters and adventures. Moving away from Lightning McQueen, his best friend Mater, and Radiator Springs potentially allows Disney Pixar to explore more car spy characters. Cars 2 only gives viewers a taste of what a spin-off series could look like, but the groundwork is there. It is the perfect way to reinvent the franchise with something fresh while keeping audiences entertained with the familiar universe.

With no hints of Cars 4 on the horizon and the franchise quickly growing stale, Disney Pixar is under pressure to come up with something compelling. Whether it is a fourth film, a spin-off universe such as Planes, or a spin-off show, it will be fascinating to see where the Cars franchise goes next. However, Cars 3 ends with Lightning McQueen retiring from racing and Cruz Ramirez takes his spot as a racer. That means a fourth film or a spin-off show rooted in Cars 2‘s spy movie tease would also be an excellent way to reboot the franchise.

Source: The Numbers