The recent release of “Lightyear” and its subsequent fizzling out at the box-office has resulted in much speculation about why the film didn’t take off.
Was it the confusing premise? Disney having pushed too many Pixar films direct to the Disney+ service? The manufactured kiss controversy? The tepid reviews?
One of the talking points was the casting of Chris Evans as this ‘movie version’ of Buzz Lightyear that inspired the Tim Allen-voiced toy in the four “Toy Story” films. Numerous people have weighed in on that, most notably “Everybody Loves Raymond” actress Patricia Heaton.
Allen himself however has stayed out of the fray but now has finally weighed in. Speaking with “Extra” (via Variety), Allen says he had no involvement with the project which he sees as having no connection to his character:
“The short answer is I’ve stayed out of this because it has nothing to do [with my character]. This is a whole new team that really had nothing to do with the first movies.
It [“Lightyear”] is a wonderful story. It just doesn’t seem to have any connection to the toy, and it’s a little…I don’t know. It just has no relationship to Buzz. It’s just no connection. I wish there was a better connection to this.”
“Lightyear” opened to $51 million during its opening weekend, far below expectations and one of the lowest starts for a Pixar film. It also scored one of the lowest CinemaScores from audiences for a Pixar title with an A- (most Pixar are A or A+).
