Based on the clip, it looks like Sox will come in after Buzz’s unexpected time jump, and he’s been tasked to help Buzz in his emotional transition. I guess it’s kind of fitting that they would cast Chris Evans in the part; besides Buzz’s very soldier-like persona, he also goes through a time-jump that brings him to a future where everyone he knows is gone—except Steve Rogers got Nick Fury to help him out rather than Sox.

While it’s no Toy Story, the film is sure to provide us with some backstory for Buzz’s character. I guess it would be fun to revisit the first film after this one and see just how Buzz’s character is formed.

The definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.

Lightyear is set to hit theaters on June 17.

This comes from president of Disney marketing Asad Ayaz:

Look who just arrived at the Marketing department! #Lightyear #BuzzLightyear #Pixar pic.twitter.com/jP5MsgOE2U

— Asad Ayaz (@asadayaz) April 6, 2022

While fans are familiar with the Buzz Lightyear that was Andy’s toy, this movie will actually delve into the story of Buzz Lightyear the ‘man’—it’s essentially the character Buzz was acting like in the first Toy Story before he realized he was a toy.

You have to appreciate how they tried to translate the toy design into the actual suit. I guess the haircut is also supposed to be a nod to Chris Evans’ modern Captain America look.

We don’t know where the story actually sits in the Toy Story canon, but director Angus MacLane did say, “In ‘Toy Story,’ there seemed to be this incredible backstory to him being a Space Ranger that’s only touched upon, and I always wanted to explore that world further. So my ‘Lighytear’ pitch was, ‘What was the movie that Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy?’ I wanted to see that movie. And now I’m lucky enough to get to make it.”

So far there haven’t been any announcements for Woody’s Round-Up or Slinky the Dog, but I’m eager to give Pixar the chance to tell this story. We’ve gotten so many heartfelt films with Turning Red and Luca, I’m curious to actually watch them tackle something like a sci-fi space adventure.

Catch Lightyear when it flies into theaters on June 17.

In the official description attached to the new trailer, MacLane shares that Lightyear is a movie that exists within the Toy Story universe. He says:

“In ‘Toy Story,’ there seemed to be this incredible backstory to him being a Space Ranger that’s only touched upon, and I always wanted to explore that world further. So my ‘Lighytear’ pitch was, ‘What was the movie that Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy?’ I wanted to see that movie. And now I’m lucky enough to get to make it.”

Before we got this explanation, it was said that the film was based on the actual astronaut Buzz Lightyear, so I was kind of hoping for a story that was more grounded in reality. Then again, I’m still open for a fun sci-fi romp, and the new trailer shows us more of Buzz’s “lore” with Star Command and even Emperor Zurg.

You think they have a Woody’s Round-Up movie planned down the line?

For now, Lightyear is set to hit theaters on June 17. In the meantime, Pixar fans wait for the release of Turning Red which comes to Disney+ on March 11.

Watch the trailer for the Toy Story spinoff down here: 

Here’s the official description:

Check out a brand-new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear,” an original feature film releasing June 17, 2022. The sci-fi action-adventure presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans.

Though it’s just a short teaser, we do get a lot of easter eggs in the preview, with Buzz immediately going into a karate pose after he’s bothered by the robot cat. We also have teases of what looks to be Emperor Zurg, Buzz’s nemesis in Toy Story 2, and a space ranger outfit close to the toy design; I can’t wait to see the wings on it come out.

While I was initially anticipating a more grounded story about an astronaut, it looks like Lightyear will be going full sci-fi, complete with robots, aliens, and strange new worlds.

We don’t know how Lightyear fits into the Toy Story continuity, but I can’t wait to see what kind of story Pixar has in store. You think a Woody’s Roundup could be in the works?

Catch Lightyear when it premieres on June 17, 2022.