New Cars 2 Posters " Japan Sequence "

Pixar has released new Cars 2 visuals, and this ime it's related with the sequence in Japan. Let's begin with the posters, above and below.





Also released, pictures of Japanese Cars named Okuni, Zen Master, Nobunga and Tanaka.









In addition, but not linked to the Japan sequence, three new posters released last week-end, the first one below is related to the spy part of the story and have the style of 1960's espionage movies posters.







All pictures: copyright Disney-Pixar

John Lasseter Gives Cars 2 Sneak Peek

In this interesting new Cars 2 video John Lasseter reveals the origin of the Finn McMissile character - who is "play" by the great Michael Caine - and also that John Turturro, another great actor and Pixar's favorite choice, will make the voice of Cars 2 italian character Francesco Bernoulli. Have a look!



Picture and video: copyright Disney-Pixar

Cars 2 Update: New High-res Pictures, Great Retro Posters, and Fantastic Trailer 3 !

New high-res pictures of Cars 2 were released yesterday as well as two different trailers 3 of the animated movie and great retro posters. Let's begin with the high-res pictures and above, one from the Paris sequence. Below, Mc Missile in action and Lightning McQueen and Mater.







The new trailers - the U.K and U.S versions - looks fantastic as they center on the spy theme. As you will see some of the scenes looks as great as they can be in a real espionnage movie. The two are different and first below is the U.K version. Full screen mode highly recommanded!




And, below, the U.S version.



Pixar also released four different retro posters, one for London, Paris, Tokyo and Porto Corsa, and as usual they look great, too!









See you soon for a new Cars 2 update!

Pictures and videos: copyright Disney-Pixar

New Cars 2 character is a Plane, and his name is Siddeley

Pixar introduced today a new Cars 2 character, and this one is not a car but a plane. Here is Pixar's description of the character, named Siddeley: "Siddeley is a state-of-the-art British twin-engine spy jet. At 176 feet from nose to tail and an impressive 157-foot wingspan, the super sleek silver-bodied Siddeley streaks through international skies at record-breaking mach 1 speeds. Outfitted with all the latest in high-tech spy equipment, including cloaking technology, defensive weaponry and afterburners, Siddeley is Finn McMissile’s steadfast partner-in-fighting-crime around the globe."

Talking about planes, i remind you that Disney announced last week the production of an animated movie called "Planes" which will be released on Blu-Ray in Spring 2013. However and although it is said to be inspired by Pixar universe, it's Disney Toon Studio and not Pixar who will do the film. I would have prefer to have it done by Pixar of course, but that's how it goes.

Here is the synopsis of "Planes": "Planes takes off with an international cast of the fastest air racers around, in a comedy packed with action and adventure starring Dusty, a small town dreamer who longs to enter the most epic around-the-world air race … despite his fear of heights. With the help and support of a fleet of new and hilarious characters, Dusty wings his way into the biggest challenge of his life."

Mind you, it will not be the first time that Disney produces an animated movie in which the main characters are planes. Back in 1942, a plane character named Pedro had a whole sequence in "Saludos Amigos". Don't remember him? Then watch him in the Youtube video below!



Picture and video: copyright Disney-Pixar

All aboard for a Cars 2 Update !

We'll have a Cars 2 update today, and let's begin with the new trailer released last sunday during the NASCAR Daytona 500 broadcast. It includes lot of never seen before footage, so don't miss it.



Almost every day Pixar announces new Cars 2 characters and here is a choice of the one i like. All pictures are in high-res as usual. The first one shows British secret agent Finn McMissile, on the picture below with Mater at Tokyo airport terminal.



John Lasseter is getting his own Cars character - called John Lassetire. Lasseter who was surprised by the honor said: "It was news to me. I did not know about that, so I was a little surprised. I ended up voicing this character. It was just one line, but now I have a Cars character. I'm very excited about that".



Two new Italian characters called Uncle and Aunt Topolino living near Porto Corsa in the small village of Santa Ruotina are Luigi's favorite uncle and aunt.



"Uncle Topolino is the owner of the village’s tire shop, where he taught Luigi and Guido everything they know, though Uncle Topolino is full of sage advice about more than just tires. Mama Topolino, is a masterful cook with the best fuel in the village of Santa Ruotina, near Porto Corsa, Italy. Though she has a loving, but fiery relationship with her husband, Uncle Topolino, she shows her love and generosity for both family and friends by feeding everyone her renowned delizioso fuel".



You'll notice the private joke with the Topolino name as Topolino is the Italian name of Mickey Mouse!

Those of you who visit regularly the excellent Pixar fans web sites are aware that for each new character Pixar also release a short video on which the character introduces himself on a "turning table". Pixar did a real good job on these as you quickly guess each character's personnality. Here is a selection of my favorites and let's begin by two characters who don't need to be introduced, i.e Lightning McQueen and Mater.





Next one is Shu Todoroki, a prototype racer representing Japan and bearing #7 in the World Grand Prix. "Shu was raised at the base of the active Mount Asama volcano in Japan, and soon became a champion on the Suzuka Circuit. His sleek design sports a fiery red Ka-Riu dragon, which Shu borrowed from Japanese legend because he relates to the small, yet fierce nature of the dragon. His team legacy is filled with victories – his coach, a Mazda, was the only Japanese car to ever win at Le Mans – and Shu hopes to prove his champion-level racing on the international stage of the World Grand Prix".



Another italian character is Francesco Bernoulli "who grew up in the shadow of the famous Monza race course in Italy where he and his friends would sneak onto the track and race the famous Pista di Alta Velocita bank turn. He was an instant winner on the amateur circuit and soon became an international Formula Racer champion. The ladies love Francesco’s open wheels, youngsters look up to his winning spirit and fellow racers envy his speed. But Francesco’s biggest fan is Francesco himself, as evidenced by his racing number. As the most famous race car in Europe, #1 Francesco is a favorite to win the World Grand Prix, which also makes him McQueen’s chief rival".



Raoul ÇaRoule, "Known as the ‘World’s Greatest Rally Car”, if the French character. And believe me, he really looks French in his behaviour! "A restless soul, Raoul joined the famous ‘Cirque du Voiture’ French circus where he learned Gymkhana – a graceful, drift-filled motorsport that taught him pinpoint timing and an unparalleled ability to navigate tricky courses with ease. He’s the first car to ever win nine consecutive rallies. Raoul is confident he can use his rally experience to pull ahead of his fellow World Grand Prix racers during the three courses’ touchy dirt sections, especially with his fans in the stands waving banners that read ‘ÇaRoule Ca-Rules!’"



Next one from my selection is Carla Veloso, a Brazilian racecar, dancing samba on the turning table! "Updated World Grand Prix contender Carla Veloso hails from Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The sweet but powerful Latin diva can dance the night away at “Car-nival,” but spends most of her time on the racetrack. In the World Grand Prix, the proud Brazilian Le Motor Prototype racer is the only female in the field, and Carla is ready to prove to the world that #8 is there to win for her home country".



Let's end with a brilliant one, the secret agent Finn McMissile turning table. He introduces himself in a "James Bond" way.



Talking about Finn Mc Missile, the toys based on his character are gonna sell like crazy next fall. Anyone who remember how many million copies Corgi Toys sold of the James Bond "Goldfinger" Aston Martin in the 1960's could tell you this! It was a huge merchandise hit back then and i predict the same for all Finn McMissile toys, you will understand why easily with a look at the pictures below.





You will have the choice between different McMissile toys, the first one above will be done by Spin Master - who will also release a McMissile car climbing on a wall (!) - and will come at a price of $49.99. The other one below will be manufactured by Mattel and will have a retail price of $29.99. Both are fully loaded with “top secret” spy weapons, projectile missiles, sound effects, and thrilling transformations and truly embodies all of McMissile’s gadgetry.





Here is a video where the great actor Michael Caine - Finn McMissile's voice - introduce the Spin Master toy.



Mattel plans to introduce more than 150 "Cars 2" toys this fall and also the new and interesting "Lightning McQueen Alive". Lightning McQueen's big personality will be captured in a small package as he'll be able to drives around by himself — both forward and backward and in complete 360s, moves his eyes, shrugs his shoulders and moves his life-like mouth to speak signature phrases voiced by actor Owen Wilson.



Lightning McQueen Alive will say over 40 phrases and squeals his tires and interacts with you. When Lightning McQueen will needs to refuel after a long day’s play, you will simply place him back on the included gas station charger to refresh his batteries. Released next october at a price of $59.99 and already available for pre-order HERE. Here is two hands-on videos of the prototype .





That's it for today's Cars 2 update, hope you've enjoyed it!

Pictures and videos: copyright Disney-Pixar

Cars 2 - First Trailer and High-res Pictures

Disney released today the Cars 2 first trailer which looks exciting. You'll find it below in the american and french version but, before, new high-res pics which will also do great wallpaper pictures for you desktop if you're a Cars fan.



Below Lightning McQueen and a new female Cars character in the Tokyo scenes.





On the next picture Finn McMissile - the british secret service character - which will have the voice of the great Michael Caine.



The two Cars on the picture below looks like the bad guys of the movie, and yes they are!



A last picture with two Hench cars.



Here is the american trailer and i remind you that the music score is written this time by Michael Giacchino which is probably a very good choice considering the "James Bond" style of the movie.




And for my french readers here is the french version of the trailer. You'll note that they are not totally the same and that the one above include few more shots of the movie.




While we talk about Cars, i'd like to let you know that the Cars Toon Dvd and Blu-Ray - as well as the Toy Story 3 - are now released. The Cars toon is definitely great an include NEW and hilarious Mater Tall Tales including "Mater on the Moon" or "Mater private eye" a tribute to Humphrey Bogart and Roman Polanski's Chinatown. You can find these great Dvds on the Disney and more Amazon Store HERE!



Pictures and videos: copyright Disney-Pixar

Pixar release more details about Cars 2 plot

Disney/Pixar released a Cars 2 press release which bring more infos on the awaited sequel. Here are the details with the four concept-arts posted last week showing races London, Paris, Porto Corsa and Japan. Also, John Lasseter is now officially Cars 2 director with Brad Lewis as co-director. Michael Giacchino is writing the music score.

First, the new synopsis: "Star racecar Lightning McQueen and the incomparable tow truck Mater take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.

Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors."

Then, more about what will happen in each "country":

Cars 2 Jets to Japan: Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new destinations when McQueen is tapped for the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. First stop, Tokyo, Japan—where ancient tradition meets modern technology. But like a modern-day Samurai, Mater must play the part of a top-secret spy when he’s unknowingly embroiled in a case of international espionage.



Passport to Paris: There’s no place in the world like Radiator Springs, but Paris comes close! Lightning McQueen and Mater venture abroad for the first-ever World Grand Prix. While McQueen focuses on the races, his best friend Mater hits a few detours. International espionage, anyone? On his top-secret mission, Mater takes the scenic route and manages to see the Parisian sights—including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the famous car-goyles of Notre Dame.



Cars 2 Goes Global: Star racecar Lightning McQueen heads overseas next summer to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the fastest car on the planet. McQueen and his best friend Mater make a pit stop in London, but there’s no time for tea when an international spy plot entangles Mater, and McQueen must race before royalty.



To the Big Screen — and Beyond: It’s an international feast of epic proportions when star racecar Lightning McQueen and lovable tow truck Mater travel to Porto Corsa, Italy, for the first-ever World Grand Prix. The pair will have to bypass the Italian Riviera’s specialties—boating, beaches and pasta al pesto—as Mater is detoured on a top-secret spy mission and McQueen must race to win against the world’s best!



Text and Pictures: copyright Disney

Cars 2 : First Concept-arts & Teaser !

Disney/Pixar just released the first Cars 2 concept-arts as well as a teaser which clearly indicates that the awaited animated feature will also be a "spy" movie. You have the teaser below as well as the four concept-arts showing races in different countries/cities, i.e London, Paris, Porto Corsa and Japan.

I remind you Cars 2 synopsis: "Lightning McQueen, his pit crew and his new crew chief, Mater, head around the world for the "Race of Champions" taking place in five different countries: Japan, Austria, Italy, a 24-hour race in France and the United Kingdom. However, Mater, involved in a case of mistaken identity, saves the life of a British secret agent named Finn McMissile and finds himself embroiled in his world of international espionage."

I don't know about you but i'm a big fan of the first Cars movie and all the Cars characters so i'm really awaiting this sequel which looks promising!












Pictures and Video: copyright Disney-Pixar