What's Next for Toy Story?

Back in 2010, Pixar delivered the third entry of what is probably their most beloved franchise; the phenomenal Toy Story 3. With a finale that touched the hearts of millions across the globe, many assumed that 3 was also the end of the Toy Story series. After all, it was a pretty beautiful ending.

But a couple of months back, rumors started popping up about a Toy Story 4. Tom Hanks, the voice behind Sheriff Woody, stated in an interview that he believed Pixar was currently working on TS4. Later on, John Lasseter also teased about a fourth installment. Then there's also this video of Tim Allen, AKA Buzz Lightyear, talking about the possibility of a fourth Toy Story film:

So will there be a Toy Story 4? We can't be sure for now, but I'd say the chances of it happening aren't very big. Lee Unkrich (director of TS3) himself stated that they tried to end the series the best they could with the third film, but that they are keeping the characters alive with a series of Toy Story short films; the Toy Story Toons.

So far, two Toy Story Toons have been released; Hawaiian Vacation and Small Fry. Both have been well-received by audiences, and have left fans hungry for more.

Some pretty big news has been dropped this week. Yes folks, we are getting more Toy Story. No, not another feature film, but rather, three new Toons will join the library, along with two original 22-minute long TV specials!

These are likely being worked on at Pixar's satellite studio in Vancouver, which has thus far worked on Air Mater and Small Fry. The TV specials are scheduled for October 2013 and Spring 2014, and will probably air on either ABC or the Disney Channel. Aside from that, we don't know much about these half-hour specials, but expect them to bring the Toy Story characters to life in a remarkable and unique way.

As for the three new shorts, there have been a few rumors flying around about one called Partysaurus Rex. You can tell by the title that Rex would likely be one of the central characters in this short. Also, some tiny bits of plot details regarding this short were spilled by electronic artist BT a while ago. He said:

"I’m in the middle of scoring a film for Pixar right now. It’s a short for Toy Story, and I’m not allowed to say the whole story, but quite literally, it’s like a Toy Story rave, and I’m actually not kidding either. Like, the toys get into all these shenanigans and it’s like pounding club music, this thing. So it’s really not very Pixar, but in like a really hysterical way, everyone laughs so hard when they see it. It’s really exciting to work with those guys."

After reading BT's comments on the short film, I am quite intrigued and eager to see it. While Wikipedia claims that Partysaurus Rex will debut this fall, nothing has been offcially announced by Pixar or Disney. Chances are, however, that this short and possibly the other two will show up on either the Pixar Short Films Collection - Volume 2 or on the Brave DVD and Blu-ray.

So there you have it. If you were worried that we wouldn't be seeing much of the Toy Story characters in the future, hopefully your anxieties have been eliminated, because it seems to me that Woody and Buzz aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

(via BigScreen Animation)

Awesome Stills From 'Air Mater'

It's been almost a whole year since we last saw a brand-new Cars Toon, so now that Air Mater is coming on the Cars 2 home release, it's quite exciting to see Mater in another one of his hilarious Tall Tales.

While we won't get to see Mater fly until Tuesday, we can enjoy these fantastic new images from the short. They're amazing! Pixar Canada did a spectacular job on this Toon!

Doesn't Mater look AWESOME as a Falcon Hawk??

Catch Air Mater on the Cars 2 home release this Tuesday. Don't miss out, because Mater is going to fly! This is going to be the best Cars Toon ever!

Pixar Canada Reveals Studio and Current Project!

Until today, Pixar's studio in Vancouver, BC, Canada, remained quite mysterious. Now, the Vancouver Sun has given us an inside scoop on what the studio has been up to for the last year and a half.

First of all, it has been confirmed that Air Mater is in fact being produced at the Vancouver studio, as previously speculated. But after seeing the concept art which was revealed when the studio first opened, it was almost certain that something involving Mater flying was being worked on at Pixar Canada. Don't forget to catch Air Mater, the first ever Pixar project to come from the Canadian studio, on the home video release of Cars 2 on November 1!

Also, the location of Pixar Canada has now been revealed to the public; Gastown in Downtown Vancouver, where the famous steam clock can also be found. Having have visited this street several times before, I can tell you that it is quite the sight with countless flowers everywhere you look, and fancy lamp posts lined along the the street. I'm almost certain that Pixar is very happy with the place they chose to put their second animation studio.

As seen in the picture above, the replicas (or at least copies of the replicas) of McQueen and Mater that have been touring the United States and Canada for the past few months are now on display right in front of the Pixar Canada studios, to mark the location of where dozens of talented artists and animators go to work everyday. These two cars may stay there only temporarily, but there is a chance that they could stay as permanent decor, or at least be moved slightly.

We are prone to find out what else Pixar Canada is cooking up for us soon, but for now, just enjoy Air Mater on the Cars 2 Blu-ray and DVD!

Sneak Peek at Cars 2 Blu-ray/DVD!

We are already halfway through the month of October, and before you know it, it'll be November! And you know what that means...Cars 2 on Blu-ray and DVD!

As always, Pixar has released a few clips of what is to come on their next home release.

Check out this cool trailer for the film. It's not a new trailer however, it's one of the ones we saw a few months ago before the theatrical release of Cars 2. So now instead of "Coming soon to theaters" it says "Coming soon to Blu-ray and DVD", but it's still a really awesome trailer.

Here is a short clip called "Getting Behind The Wheel", which shows how the geniuses behind the sequel to Cars got to experience the racing world while making the film.

The next clip is an extended look at Hawaiian Vacation, the Toy Story Toon which played in front of Cars 2 in theaters, and will be included as a bonus feature on the home video release. If you haven't watched Hawaiian Vacation, I think that this clip gives you a pretty good taste of what the short has in store.

Lastly, here is a 5-minute sneak peek at Cars 2 itself. That's right! Five full minutes of awesome footage from Cars 2! It's the entire scene where Mater gets Lightning involved in the World Grand Prix after seeing the cocky Francesco Bernoulli boast about how he could easily beat Lightning McQueen in a race.

Also, you may have seen this already, but here is a nice and short look into Air Mater, the latest Cars Toon, which will be on the Cars 2 Blu-ray and DVD as well.

Race on over to your local retail store on November 1st and get your hands...er, I mean wheels...all over the smash hit of the summer, Cars 2!

Cars 2 Coming to Home Video Nov. 1st

After having recently heard some of the Blu-ray and DVD details about Cars 2, we now have an actual release date! The film is set to hit store shelves on November 1st, and will feature an all new Cars Toon, entitled Air Mater. A clip from the Toon has been posted onto YouTube by Disney/Pixar (watch below). I've heard rumours that this Air Mater is being produced at Pixar Canada. Just take a look at this picture that was posted on the web when the Vancouver studio first opened.

The Cars 2 Blu-ray and DVD will also include Hawaiian Vacation, which premiered alongside Cars 2 in theaters in June.

Here is the clip for Air Mater:

Pretty good stuff, don't you think?

Stay tuned as we will probably soon see a list of bonus features that will be included on the Blu-ray.

Cars 2 arrives in stores November 1st, 2011!