Toy Story was meant to be finished. Disney and Pixar said as much following the third entry and again after the fourth entry, but they've found another way to continue the series through a spin-off flick: Lightyear. This upcoming movie aims to tell the iconic space ranger's origin story. How did Buzz Lightyear become the galactic savior who inspired an action figure? To quote his toy counterpart, was he "really that fat?" These questions and more will be answered when Lightyear hits theaters next year.
This isn't the first time the character has enjoyed a spin-off. Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, a Disney Channel animated series, chronicles Buzz's adventures as he tries to protect the galaxy from Emperor Zurg and other extraterretrial villains. The creators clearly wanted to capitalize on Buzz's popularity following Toy Story 2, but the show surprised everyone with its high quality. The upcoming film would be wise to take notes so as to best serve its titular icon.
7 Voice Cast
The usual practice for theatrical animated films is to get a bunch of celebrities to plaster all over the poster. Oftentimes, these cast members have never done a shred of voiceover work and simply use their natural, easily imitable tones. The cast of the animated show, on the other hand, was made of well-established voice actors, meaning they're infinitely more versatile in this audio area. The screen celebrities who are present are comedic talents: accustomed to putting on other personas for the sake of humor.
Chief among these was Tim Allen, the original voice for Buzz Lightyear who reprised his role in the pilot. Filling his shoes for the rest of the show was Patrick Warburton. He possesses the same blue-collar-yet-authoritative charm and has a ton of voiceover credits under his belt. Both of these guys are more fitting for this heroic character than Chris Evans, a limited screen actor who sounds generic by comparison.
6 Buddy Comedy
Space rangers may look professional, but that's not always the case. Throughout the show, Buzz develops a casual rapport with his teammates. They give each other grief, but they also raise one another up. It's reminiscent of a buddy cop dynamic.
The movie should strive to emulate this. Whether Lightyear's allies are humans or aliens, he should have a comfortable and lighthearted chemistry with them. This is an easy way of helping audiences identify with the characters they see onscreen. More importantly, it's what will help them grow as people.
5 Sci-Fi Aesthetic
Buzz's design makes it clear that he's from a sleek yet colorful future. The show's creators ran with that foundation and crafted a galaxy where he feels right at home. The setting is an appealing mix of Flash Gordon, Star Wars, Star Trek, and even a bit of Lost in Space. It's high-tech but also bright, vibrant, and flamboyant.
The movie looks downright depressing by comparison. The ugly brown tint seems poised to emulate early astronauts and the grainy footage that went with them, but it doesn't fit the style of Buzz Lightyear. On a side note, it raises questions about his Toy Story counterpart. If he's originally from Earth, why doesn't he recognize it when he "lands" in Andy's room?
4 Wacky Aliens
To go with the flamboyant future, Star Command created an alien host of all shapes and sizes, beyond the familiar Little Green Men whom fans are familiar with. The extraterrestrials here all have distinctive designs and eye-catching color schemes. Not only does this make it easy to distinguish them from other sci-fi franchises, but it also reflects their personalities. Viewers know immediately what type of character they are just by looking at them and how they move.
The Lightyear movie shows no such aliens, which is a waste. It's a story about a space ranger, so the creators should take advantage of other life out there. Limiting the cast to humans misses the point. Granted, these aliens could show up in future trailers. Hopefully, the filmmakers will take notes from these old designs.
3 Emperor Zurg
This is a no-brainer. Toy Story 2 positioned Zurg as Buzz's nemesis, so the movie should roll with that dynamic. The show, however, made an interesting move by having Zurg be imperfect.
The evil emperor wasn't always the imposing, calculating villain one would expect in a sci-fi tale. He got upset, had fits of rage, and occasionally made a fool of himself. Miraculously, this never diminished his menacing presence; it simply made him more entertaining and multifaceted. It was a tricky balancing act akin to Aku from Samurai Jack. The movie may take a similar approach to Zurg. It's so unexpected that it might just work.
2 Framing Device
The show's creators knew that Buzz Lightyear was already an established icon in the Toy Story flicks. On top of being an action figure, he had his own video game in the second film. As such, they cleverly positioned his galactic adventures firmly within that universe. The toys gear up to watch the TV show, and that's where the Star Command segment begins. This "story within a story" gimmick echoes The Princess Bride, carrying hints of self-awareness which audiences can immediately latch onto.
Why not apply the same bookend to the big screen? The filmmakers have said that this movie is what would inspire the Buzz Lightyear toyline within the fictional world. It simply makes sense to adopt a familiar framing device to establish it as that very film.
1 Buzz's Character Arc
Despite being an action-comedy show, Star Command starts on a somewhat somber note. Buzz's partner is killed in action, leading him to distance himself from the other space rangers and vow to work alone. To his chagrin, his commander officer sticks with a new team. Buzz eventually learns to value these new recruits as he re-adjusts to working with others.
It's clear Lightyear will feature other space rangers in some capacity. This means it's perfectly poised to adapt that same character arc. Not only would this pave the way for poignant growth, but it would also lead to plenty of comedy as Buzz is forced into situations with a team he doesn't want. In essence, the thematic and narrative roadmap is all there.