Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of reader-submitted Cars photoshops

The animators at Pixar have set their schedules through 2012, and while the slate includes new films like Up and Newt, it's also brimming with sequels. Following the third installment of the studio's Toy Story franchise in 2010, Pixar will release the sequel to our favorite animated homage to automobiles, Cars 2. While we don't know for sure if Lightning McQueen and Sally Carrera will return, the press release indicates that the film will be filled with old and new characters for kids and kid-like adults to enjoy. Like most of Pixar's upcoming schedule, Cars 2 will also be presented in 3D, and let me tell you, after watching Beowulf skewer Grendel in the third dimension, we can't wait for an animated fender to fly out of the screen at us. The date is set for 2012, so there's a long way to go, and this installment will be directed by Brad Lewis, who produced Ratatouille, rather than the first film's director, John Lasseter. Lasseter proved himself to be a man steeped in car culture, so Lewis has some mighty big brake shoes to fill.

For old time's sake, check out our gallery of reader-contributed Cars photoshops below.


[Source: Cinematical]

Our sister site Cinematical reports that a sequel to Disney/Pixar's Cars is apparently in the works, and could arrive as early as Summer 2009. If that's the case, we should expect to see a trailer for Cars 2 attached to next summer's Pixar entry, Wall-E. The rumor really built up steam when Paul Newman made comments to reporters about a possible sequel at the Indy 500. Our friends at Cinematical seem to be disappointed that Lightning McQueen and friends appear to be getting a sequel, as it's not one of their fave Pixar flicks. They also wonder why Cars could get another go-round when its box-office grosses were low compared to the great Pixar successes. We think it's merchandising, where Cars appears to be quite the juggernaut, what with the toys, video games, bed sheets, etc. that continue to appear in stores everywhere. Anyway, you won't hear a peep of complaining from us. Cars was one of our favorites last summer, as the talking rides were very cool, and there were plenty of subtle and not-so-subtle references in there to make any pistonhead a happy camper. Seriously, any movie where Richard Petty voices an animated Plymouth Superbird sporting the #43 that's named "The King" is A-OK in our book. Sequel? Bring it on.

[Source: Cinematical]