Why Isn’t Tim Allen Voicing Buzz Lightyear in the Pixar ‘Lightyear’ Movie?

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Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) in "Toy Story: 4" (2019)

Credit: Pixar

To many, Allen is Buzz Lightyear and the only voice for everyone’s favorite space cadet, much like actor Tom Hanks with Sheriff Woody. With the news of Marvel’s Chris Evans taking over the Lightyear belt from Allen, fans wonder why Tim Allen isn’t voicing Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’s upcoming movie, Lightyear.

Tim Allen is widely known for voicing Buzz Lightyear in all four Toy Story movies, quickly becoming a household name in the 1990s and 2000s with his multiple TV and film appearances.

Since Lightyear is a backstory to the Buzz Lightyear we see in Toy Story 1-4, Chris Evans is voicing the “real” Buzz Lightyear, the astronaut that inspired the children’s toy seen in Toy Story (1995).

Pixar's "Lightyear"
Credit: Pixar

Related: OpEd: Why is Chris Evans Voicing Buzz Lightyear in New Pixar Film?

During the Disney Investors Day 2020 event, The Walt Disney Company confirmed Pixar’s new film Lightyear, a prequel to the Toy Story franchise, and a closer look into Buzz Lightyear’s journey.

Blasting into theaters June 17, 2022, Lightyear is the definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear. Voiced by @ChrisEvans, get ready to go to “infinity and beyond” with Lightyear.

Related: Disney Fan Calls For Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin to Be Refurbed

Pixar’s official Twitter posted a teaser video and photos of Lightyear last December, stating that actor Chris Evans would voice the “original Buzz Lightyear.”

Possibly jumping to conclusions, Pixar fans began to speculate that Tim Allen was supposedly fired by Pixar or flat out replaced by Evans for this Toy Story spin-off movie. That’s not the case, however. There are no reports of Pixar and Allen having any disputes, nor has Allen spoken out on Chris Evans being the voice for the real Space Ranger.

Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear in Pixar's "Lightyear"
Credit: Pixar

The chilling trailer features the talents of David Bowie with “Starman,” giving viewers goosebumps as parts of their childhood are unlocked after seeing the original Buzz Lightyear suit.

Instead, Pixar Animation Studios focuses on the origin story of the real Buzz — the one the iconic toy was based on.

 Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) in "Toy Story" (1995)
Credit: Pixar

Related: Could ‘Lightyear’ Be Pixar’s First PG-13 Movie?

Instead of watching the adventures of Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks), Jessie (Joan Cusack), Little Bo-Peep (Annie Potts), or Rex (Wallace Shawn), fans are being introduced to the man that inspired the popular children’s toy.

Like any American hero, they’re turned into a toy. In this case, Tim Allen would be the voice of the official Buzz Lightyear toy in the Toy Story world — not Chris Evans.

Pixar's "Lightyear" (2022)
Credit: Pixar

While familiar characters such as Evil Emporer Zurg (Andrew Stanton), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Andy (John Morris), or Bo Peep (Annie Potts), the animated feature is sure to please kids and adults alike. The movie comes out the same year as Turning Red (2022), which is all about a girl turning into a red panda!

Coming from producer Galyn Susman and director Angus Maclane, the Pixar film blasts into theaters on June 17, 2022, and features a brand new voice for the beloved Space Ranger: Chris Evans. 

What do you think of Chris Evans voicing Buzz? Let us know in the comments below!

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