Chapek Snubs Controversial ‘Lightyear,’ Touts Success of Marvel Projects

in Disney, Movies, Pixar

Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear

Credit: Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios

Pixar came back to theaters in June with Lightyear (2022). The film follows the real-life Buzz Lightyear, who inspired Andy’s beloved Buzz toy (Tim Allen) in Toy Story (1995).

Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear
Credit: Pixar Animation Studios

Disney and Pixar have both come under fire for the film, however. After cutting a gay scene from Pixar’s Turning Red (2022), Disney and Pixar chose to cut a same-sex kiss from Lightyear earlier this year.

Related: Disney Bashes France’s Strict Film Laws, Sending ‘Strange World’ Straight to Disney Plus

Fans were furious because it came right after Disney’s fumbled response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. In a significant move, Disney and Pixar ultimately chose to reinstate the kiss and announced that they wouldn’t censor the scene in any international markets. This led over a dozen conservative countries to ban the film. 

buzz lightyear
Credit: Pixar Animation Studios

Despite being the first Pixar film in theaters since COVID-19, Lightyear made just $89.5 million on its first weekend, leading many to call the movie a “flop.”

Related: Disney Parks Exceeded Q3 Earning Expectations By Nearly $1 Billion, Made $7.39 Billion

It seems that The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek might feel similarly. In The Walt Disney Company’s Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results Conference Call, Chapek touted the financial success of Marvel films such as Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), which made $700 million and nearly $1 billion worldwide, respectively.

“I could not be more proud of the teams at Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars,” Chapek said.

bob chapek
Credit: Screenshot via Annual Shareholders Meeting

He then moved on to Lightyear, which he described as Pixar’s “return to theaters.” He also noted that it hit Disney+ last week without mentioning the film’s box office earnings.

More on Lightyear

Uzo Aduba as Hawthorne
Credit: Pixar Animation / Disney

Lightyear debuted on Disney+ this month – bringing your favorite space ranger to your television screen. Directed by Angus MacLane, here’s more on the film from Disney:

From Disney and Pixar comes an animated sci-fi action-adventure — the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy. “Lightyear” follows the legendary space ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside ambitious recruits, Izzy, Mo and Darby, and his robot companion Sox. As this motley crew embark on their toughest mission yet, they must learn to work as a team to escape the evil Zurg and his dutiful robot army who are never far behind.

Will you watch Lightyear on Disney+? 

in Disney, Movies, Pixar

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