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Pixar Updates: Mr. Pricklepants, Cars 2, & Winnie the Pooh

by Alex Billington
September 10, 2009
Source: Empire, Rotten Tomatoes

The legendary John Lasseter stopped by London earlier today for a special Disney Animation Showcase and made a handful of exciting announcements related to upcoming Disney and Pixar projects. First off, he revealed that ex-James Bond actor Timothy Dalton would be providing his voice in Toy Story 3 for the character of Mr. Pricklepants, a hedgehog toy with thespian tendencies (via Empire). If you've seen Hot Fuzz, you'll know Dalton is usually a brilliant addition to any movie these days, and I can't wait to hear his voice in this. Lasseter made a few other exciting reveals, including plot details for Cars 2, so read on!

Empire also got to see some footage from Toy Story 3 and confirmed that the storyline now involves Buzz and Woody's owner Andy leaving for college and the toys being dumped at a day care center. I believe the trailer is due out in just a few weeks in front of Toy Story 1 & 2 in 3D, so we'll just wait for that to arrive.

Speaking of plots, Empire also got some new story details about Cars 2, which hits in 2011. Former producer Brad Lewis is directing the sequel, which will see Lightning McQueen, his pit team and new pit boss Mater, heading around the world for the Race of Champions, to take place in five different countries and involve the champions of different disciplines like Formula One and rally driving. Apparently "Mater gets involved in a 'Hitchcockian' case of mistaken identity, saves the life of a British secret agent called Finn McMissile (who looks a lot like an Aston Martin) and becomes embroiled in a huge spy thriller. Only no-one believes him. That too comes to a head at Buckingham Palace." I'm actually really digging that plot.

Lastly, another fairly big change of pace, as Lasseter announced that they're reviving Winnie the Pooh by developing a feature animated film (via Rotten Tomatoes), making it the first time in more than 35 years that a feature film about Pooh has been produced at Disney. We already knew that this new Winnie the Pooh movie was in development, as it was announced back in June. Lasseter showed some of the new artwork, which was "in the classic style of Winnie the Pooh," and stressed that the "new film wouldn't just appeal to small kids and their parents, but rather would offer an entertaining adventure for the whole family."

Being a huge Disney fan, who is sadly missing the D23 Expo, I'm excited by pretty much all of this news. With Lasseter now running the animation side of things there, they really can do no wrong. Thoughts?

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Related categories: Hype, Movie News, Opinions

Rick

Winnie the Pooh! Yes. I love Pixar, but Pooh news is my highlight
Toucmyinfection

Once again, no mention of an Incredibles sequel.... Pixar! cmon guys...get your shit together already...
Voice of Reason

A sequel to Cars is the stupidest addition to Pixars stellar catalog since...well,...Cars. Seriously, Cars2 just seems like an unnecessary waste of Pixars time and talent.
gplongwood

I would like to see a sequel to The Incredibles.
S

I'm gonna have to side with #4 on this one.
Silver

#4 is correct
Chris H

Wasn't there a few Pooh movies? Piglet's Big Movie was in theaters I believe. It hasn't been 35 years. #4 - Disney and Pixar do what makes the most economic sense. Nobody can go after money like Disney. They must see that Cars is giving them more cash than other ventures, and therefore makes perfect sense. Ticket sales aren't the only thing to consider. I still see Cars merchandise and toys in stores, and I don't see any shortage of kids wanting their parents to buy them. The Formula 1 international angle brings in a whole new and vast market of fans. I think it's a good move for sure. You'd have to be a complete moron not to move forward with furthering a lucrative franchise that a lot of children enjoy... which is why Incredibles 2 needs to get made.
Gavin

I gotta agree with #2 and 3 here, I've always wanted a Incredibles sequel
Tra la la la la di da

Cars was the worse Pixar movie, followed by Inc. And I love Pixar!
dom

Obviously PIXAR realise that a lot of their profits outside the US are from their UK audience and thus we're seeing more british actors and environments/concepts set in the good ol country. That for me sounds like a great idea - love to see PIXAR tackle Buckingham Palace!!
Michael

#4 is right I would prefer no sequel at all. Give us some new ideas. About that Pooh movie, what's the classic style, the style of the book or the disney style?
Moe

I love Toy Story but let me know when they do a Incredibles sequel or something new. Not interested in anything else they're doing right now.
Sister Jasmine Noxema Tapioca

What's wrong with you guys? Cars is a great animated film! I took forever to watch it because I thought "what's so interesting about a bunch of cars?" but Pixar did it again and made me fall in love with the characters. I watch it every two or three months - or at least have it playing in the background while making dinner. The only Pixar films I don't care for in the slightest are Toy Story - one and two - so I could care less about three. I just think they're tedious (and I'm not a fan of Hanks or Allen so hearing their voices wears thin). IMO the third worst Pixar film is The Incredibles - but I still watch it a couple times a year - that's how bad I think it is
Jaron Kacy

WHHY PIXAR! Cars sucked! Make a Monsters inc sequel instead!!
http://stevesabol.com Steve Sabol

I hope they have the inventive narrator/story/character interaction of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (turning the book to get Tigger off the pine tree, Pooh upset that the next story doesn't start with him, etc). My kids like the ones that follow, but none of them truly capture the magic of that first film. Oh, and Cars, while better than any of the Shrek movies, is still the worst Pixar film.
Catz2

Oh, come on Pixar! Winnie the pooh?! What a perfect way to ruin a classsic! I knew this was going to happen...and Cars 2 sounds kinda, uh, wierd. Its seems Mater has been turned into the main chartacter. I still think Cars is Pixars worst movie, and something tells me the sequal will do worse. I still can't wait for Toy Story 3, but hopefully its not a dud. >.>
Bruce Merker

The real story here is that Pixar is making John Carter of Mars. I've read the books and this film slated for 2012 will be the absolute bomb.
Iphis Hinkey

Hmmm, a sequel could work but I doubt that the plot line that as thus been revealed will work. Really, traveling around the world on a 5 race tour, Mater getting caught up in an international spy ring, nobody believes him? I would expect more from Pixar. Hopefully I will be surprised.
TANA

I AGREE WITH 4 AS WELL