Is Lightyear a Live Action Film in the Toy Story Universe? Director Angus MacLane explains if Lightyear is a live action or animated film in the Toy Story universe.
Is Lightyear a Live Action Film in the Toy Story Universe?
Lightyear might be an animated feature from Pixar, but there has been much debate online as to whether Lightyear is an animated or live action film in the Toy Story universe. During the Lightyear press conference Director Angus MacLane and Producer Galyn Susman confirmed that Lightyear is, in fact, a live action movie that Andy watched, and not an animated film.
This is expressed by the hyper-realistic approach that was taken with the animation, lighting, and shading. The terrains are stunning, and look like real places that you could go visit.
We asked the Lightyear filmmakers if they imagine that Andy was watching a live action film, or an animated film, and without hesitation they stated that it is live action. They continued to go on and explain that technically, they are the filmmakers of Lightyear in the Toy Story universe as well. “Because the credits have our names on it, there’s an in universe version of each of us, that we are now Disney characters.”
After joking about how they would love to see action figures of themselves doing boring things like sitting in Zoom meetings, Angus MacLane re-confirms that yes, Lightyear is a live action movie in the Toy Story universe. During the early press day, MacLane explained that the toys that Andy owns, are based more off of the cartoon spinoff series that comes later.
So there you have it, the debate is settled. When it comes to the movie that Andy saw, it is a live action film, even though it is animated for us. Go see the movie that Andy fell in love with, Lightyear, when it hits theaters on June 17th.
NEXT: Why Weren’t More Lightyear Toys In The Toy Story Movies?
About Lightyear
Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is an all-new, original feature film that presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy—following the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure. But Buzz can’t do it alone—he shares space with a dutiful robot companion cat called Sox (voice of Peter Sohn).
A hidden grab bag of gizmos in a cute kitty package, Sox is Buzz’s go-to friend and sidekick. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), the sci-fi action-adventure releases on June 17, 2022.
