Disney unveils a new Lightyear trailer revealing a redesigned Zurg in the Chris Evans-led Pixar movie spin-off of the Toy Story franchise. The new film serves as the definitive origin story of the hero Buzz Lightyear, who would go on to inspire the action figure of the same name voiced by Tim Allen in the original Toy Story films. The story will see the young test pilot tasked with an intergalactic adventure by the Star Command in an effort to escape from an alien planet.
Chris Evans leads the cast of Lightyear in the titular role alongside Keke Palmer, Dale Soules, Taika Waititi, Peter Sohn, Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Efren Ramirez and Isiah Whitlock Jr. Though development on the spin-off began shortly after Finding Dory, the film wouldn’t properly be announced until the 2020 December Investor Day, where Evans’ casting was also announced. After five years of development and production, Lightyear is gearing up to soar into theaters this summer.
With a few months remaining until the film’s arrival, Disney has released a new Lightyear trailer. The video offers a deeper insight into the plot of the film as the titular hero seeks to save other humans from being stranded on an alien planet while also revealing a redesigned Zurg, all set to the tune of David Bowie’s “Starman.” Check out the exciting trailer below:
Click here to watch the trailer
The reveal of the redesigned Evil Emperor Zurg in the new Lightyear trailer should come as an exciting tease of the evolution the film is bringing to its iconic characters. In the Toy Story films, Zurg served as Buzz’s archenemy but wasn’t nearly as imposing as he was a parody of Darth Vader from the Star Wars franchise, even recreating the father reveal from The Empire Strikes Back with his appearance in Toy Story 2. The redesign seen in the trailer establish him as a far more menacing antagonist than in the past, thanks to a larger stature for his suit and more invulnerable to Buzz’s firing while still retaining his iconic red eyes, horned helmet and triple-barrel weapon attached to his arm.
The new Lightyear trailer also offers some promising insight into the titular character’s development from a young test pilot into the hero that would inspire the fan-favorite action figures. Additionally, the video gives viewers a better glimpse into the voice work Evans provides as Buzz, which may feel very reminiscent to Marvel Cinematic Universe fans to the subtle humor of the actor’s work as Steve Rogers/Captain America. Only time will tell how audiences respond to the Toy Story origin spin-off movie when Lightyear hits theaters on June 17.
