Lightyear Director Clears Up Why Chris Evans Replaced Tim Allen As Buzz Lightyear Voice

The director of Lightyear has revealed why Chris Evans replaced Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the upcoming flick.

Ever since it was revealed that the Avengers star would be voicing the famed Pixar character, fans have been wondering why Allen was no longer in the picture given that he'd been Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story films up to now.

But Angus MacLane has since cleared this up while speaking to Vanity Fair at the origin movie's premiere on Wednesday, 8 June, saying that they wanted a slightly less 'goofy' iteration of the Space Ranger.

“Tim’s version of Buzz is a little goofier and is a little dumber, and so he is the comic relief," he explained.

"In this film, Buzz is the action hero. He’s serious and ambitious and funny, but not in a goofy way that would undercut the drama.

"Chris Evans has the gravitas and that movie-star quality that our character needed to separate him and the movie from Tim’s version of the toy in Toy Story.”

But that's not to say they don't appreciate the legacy Allen left behind, with Evans telling the publication: “I used Tim Allen as a guideline.

"He did such a good job, and I’d be a fool not to acknowledge the work he did. But I couldn’t just do a shameless impression.

"I had to somehow create my own understanding of the character, and try to make some fresh tracks in the snow while paying homage to the great work that he did.

"Eventually I felt comfortable enough to make my own interpretation, and part of that was lowering the tone of my voice."

The role is yet another mega franchise Evans can add to his CV, having made a name for himself in the superhero arena as the MCU's Captain America.

In Lightyear, he's starring as the original Buzz as the plot delves into the story of how he went from being a young test pilot to the Space Ranger we all know him to be today.

The prequel will also feature Pixar's first-ever same-sex kiss, between Alicia Hawthorne (voiced by Orange Is The New Black star Uzo Aduba) and her wife.

Speaking about the milestone moment, Aduba told Vanity Fair: “It’s incredible, and a real hats off to Disney and Pixar for having that kiss be a part of this story.

"The kiss is a greeting and a gesture of love that is tender. It does establish who they are as people, but it is not the singular identifier for who either of them are.

"Seeing a loving gay couple in a meaningful way is important for everybody.”

Thankfully we don't have long to wait to see the film, as Lightyear will hit cinemas on 17 June 2022.