Disney has released two international posters forCars 3, which show Lightning McQueen squaring off against two young racersCruz Ramirez(Cristela Alonzo) and Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer). While Jackson Storm becomes his most contested rival on the Piston Cup circuit, Cruz Ramirez is actually on Lightning’s side, serving as his new trainer to help him beat the young upstart. The first poster teases a scene we’ve previously seen in early concept art, which may be an homage to an iconic movie.
BadTaste.itdebuted these posters, the first of which showsLightning McQueenon the beach. You may recall that, back in May, Disney revealed concept art that showed Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez racing on the sand, which may or may not be an homage to the iconic oceanside race between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) inRocky 3. The second poster, however, is set at a packed racing arena, with Lightning and Jackson Storm facing off, as Old Man Lightning puts his new training to the test against this Millennial jerk.
Jackson Storm and Cruz Ramirez won’t be the only new characters debuting inCars 3. Pixar announced last month thatKerry Washingtonhas come aboard to voice racing analyst Natalie Certain, withNathan Fillionproviding the voice of businesscar Sterling andLea DeLariaas demolition derby legend Miss Fritter. Real-life racing legendLewis Hamilton, a three-time Formula 1 champion, will voice Hamilton, a voice command assistant for Cruz Ramirez. Reprising their roles from the first two movies areLarry the Cable Guyas Mater,Bonnie Huntas Sally,Lloyd Sherras Fillmore,Paul Dooleyas Sarge,Katherine Helmondas Lizzie,Cheech Marinas Ramon,Michael Wallisas Sheriff,Jennifer Lewisas Flo,John Ratzenbergeras Mack,Tony Shalhoubas Luigi,Guido Quaronias Guido,Bob Costasas Bob Cutlass,Bob Petersonas Chick Hicks,Ray Magliozzias Dusty andTom Magliozzias Rusty.
Brian Feemakes his directorial debut withCars 3, but the filmmaker is no stranger to the franchise. He has served as a storyboard artist on bothCarsandCars 2, along with other Pixar hits such asWall-EandRatatouille. His other credits include serving as a prop designer onThe Fox and the Hound 2,Tarzan 2,Mulan 2,101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London AdventureandThe Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea. He also served as a story artist onMonsters University, and was part of the senior creative team onInside Out. If thisanimated sequelbecomes as big a hit as its predecessors, it could be the star of a long directorial career at Pixar forBrian Fee.
Disney has set a June 16 release date for thisCars sequel, which opens against Open Road’sTupac ShakurbiopicAll Eyez on Me, Sony’s R-rated comedyRough Nightand Entertainment Studios' thriller47 Meters Down. It is also sandwiched between Universal’sThe Mummyreboot on June 9 and Paramount’s action sequelTransformers: The Last Knighton June 23.Carskicked off this franchise in 2006, with the first movie earning $244 million domestic and $462.2 million worldwide, from a $120 million budget. The 2011 sequelCars 2didn’t fare quite as well domestically ($191.4 million) but did prove to be a bigger hit overseas ($370.6 million) for a worldwide tally of $562.1 million from a $200 million budget. Take a look at these new posters fromCars 3below.
