Ending years of speculation, Disney-Pixar announced today that the sequel to the 2006 summer hit movie, “Cars,” will be released in summer 2012. The movie prominently featured Route 66.
And get this — “Cars 2” will be released in 3-D format — along with at least nine other Disney films over the next four years, according to a news release sent out just minutes ago.
Here’s the plot summary:
All the world’s a racetrack as racing superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe’s fastest and finest in this thrilling high-octane new installment of the “Cars” saga. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a new world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades around the globe. “Cars 2” is being directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®- winning film “Ratatouille.”
I’ll have more on this as I track down more information over the course of the evening.
UPDATE: First off, here’s the logo for “Cars 2,” straight from Disney:
Second, Michael Wallis, technical adviser for the original “Cars” and the voice of the Sheriff in the film, took time out of his schedule Tuesday to talk about the sequel. Wallis has been busy writing the biography of Davy Crockett.
Although whispers of a “Cars” sequel were rampant from the moment the film was released in June 2006, the rumors didn’t gain much credibility or specifics until fairly recently. Wallis said he didn’t have an inkling about “Cars 2” until “a few weeks ago.”
“It was one of the worst-kept secrets on the Mother Road,” he said. “I had to keep denying it for my own self-interest,” he said, referring to his wishes to retain his advisory and Sheriff roles in the film.
“But I can’t tell you how many people have asked: ‘When is the sequel coming? When is the sequel coming?'”
Wallis said he hasn’t seen a script yet for “Cars 2,” although he said understands a “working” screenplay is available. He said he’s been contacted by the casting director, and added that “many, if not all, of the other actors” from “Cars” will be re-enlisted. That would include, presumably, Paul Newman as Doc, Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, Bonnie Hunt as Sally and, most importantly, Larry the Cable Guy as Mater.
Wallis noted that the “Cars 2” release date of summer 2012 was not simply chosen out of the blue.
“That’ll be a great year, because that’s when Cars Land (at Disneyland Resort in California) opens,” he said. “So it’s perfect timing.”
Pixar producer Brad Lewis is listed as the director for “Cars 2,” not original director John Lasseter. However, Wallis insists “everything will have Lasseter’s touch on it,” and that “Cars 2” will be “in good hands.”
“In all my 62 years, I’ve never worked with a more creative bunch than the folks at Pixar and Disney,” Wallis said. “I have the utmost trust in them that they’ll do Route 66 right again.”
I somehow can’t see how the sequel could outdo the original. With the movie taking place around the globe, it would seem Route 66 would be left behind and it’s the characters that are the highlights. While the characters were prominent in CARS, it was the story of Route 66 that touched the hearts of so many and the scenery of our Southwestern states was unreal. For me, and I hope I’m wrong, the sequel just never is as good as the first movie. I wish them luck and if Michael Wallis is involved, I know he won’t let them forget about Route 66.
Awesome. Liam’s gonna love it. And having seen it roughly 12,735 times since we gave it to him for Christmas in 2006, I’ll enjoy something new too!
I hope that the new movie sequel will be able to catch more of the actual parts of Our Mother Road, like did you know that in Southern California in the Glendora area many of the merchants have purchased and are displaying some awesome neon signage and also utilizing colorful neon on their buildings kind of like it really was back in the day. Many ordinary citizens are proudly showing their pride for this special Road in the fashion. Many builders are actually styling places like in the 50’s and most of the merchants are just as friendly as in that era. My store is on what used to be Route 66 (1926-1933) before it’s realignment in 1934 but I still display a large neon purple/white shield in my front window that says “OLD US ROUTE 66” , and I have remained friendly for 45 years! I know this new sequel will be a success, and I feel that the new Disney Park 66 will become a very traveled spot.
I always thought the sequel sould be about Radiator Springs suddenly finding itself too commercial and too popular after McQueen moves his racing shop there (and logically the evil Chick Hicks and others could have followed to try and steal McQueens secrets). Of course fans and “cookie cutter” businesses would follow. Then it could have been about McQueen and the gang slowing Radiator Springs back down a little bit as a nice flip on the first movie about the town teaching McQueen how to slow down. Will be a little disappointed if the sequel abandons Route 66 for worldy locations. A lot of the charm will be lost.
Oh well, at least my 2 and 1/3 year old (who wil be 7 by the release!!!) will be able to add a second movie to his daily watching routine.
Well i cant believe it i buy the cars for my grandson,here i go again,he will be overjoyed when i tell him, but a nightmare for me as i live in UK we are about 1year behind the USA and really struggle to find them,and end up paying a lot more for them.I suppose it will be nice to see a different film i am sick of watching Cars,but he never gets sick of it.
To Neil Osina…
I grew up in Glendora so I know what you are talking about. They have now renamed Alosta Avenue, back to Route 66 in Glendora. I now live in La Verne and trying to get Foothill Blvd. renamed to Route 66 once again. I don’t see why not. Where is your store and do you live in Glendora?
Aloha
Rosemarie
Hay I am visiting this site once again. Hi Rosemarie! My store sells LARGE olden metal signs for only $10 each!, many about Route 66. and my front window displays a colorful neon US ROUTE 66 SIGN ALWAYS LIT during the evening! Yep I am a friendly person and will answer questions about the how I got started 47 years ago in my business! My metal signs are GOOD and CHEAP as you would expect during the 50’s even though we are in the 21st century! Taxes included too! GOOD OLD FRIENDLY SERVICE. CALL FOR HOURS. Best Variety Sportscards, (Coins n’ old metal signs!) Am I allowed to put my phone number here? I do not want to overstep this site.
My store has been located in Glendora since 1988, however I opened for business in 1964!. Between 1926 and 1933 my portion of Foothill was originally ROUTE66 before our councilmen opted to straighten out the “route” and try to eliminate “route 66” from being in a residential neighborhood! However, folks trying to find me seem to get lost ending up on the now, Route 66 instead of “my portion of Foothill blvd. I am same side as Fosters Freez. I sell sportsCards, coins and old fashioned metal signs.I have over 200 different signs all priced at ONLY 10 BUCKS EACH (an old fashioned price).Thanks for inquiring. Open afternoons till 6pm
The only thing that I want to say is hurry up…I am a mother of a 2 and a half boy and he wants to watch cars all the time…I need something new!!! I am excited about the sequel!!
I agree my son is 4 and he loves watching it all i get is dad can we watch cars and i never get sick of watching it with him because he loves the movie but 2012 hes gonn be 7-8 years old by the time this sequel is brought out so will he even enjoy it as much as he has the 1st.
Lets hope so.
Oh I can’t wait for the sequel. My son loves this movie and he makes me put it on everynight since it came out. I need a new one lol.. The only thing I am not excited about is buying all the new cars. I have spent so much on the cars from the first movie. What mothers do for their child…
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