Lightyear: The Spinoff of Toy Story or a New Mythical Origin Story?

The upcoming Pixar movie Lightyear has been generating buzz across the internet, especially among fans of the Toy Story franchise. However, the true nature of Lightyear remains a topic of heated debate. Is it a spinoff of the beloved Toy Story series? Or is it a unique origin story for the iconic Buzz Lightyear character?

The Connection to Toy Story

The name "Lightyear" immediately brings to mind the Toy Story character, Buzz Lightyear. However, this movie is not a reimagining of the animated films featuring Andy's toys but rather a spinoff that provides insight into the character of Buzz Lightyear himself.

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What is the Difference?

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According to Pixar, "Lightyear" does not fall under the direct canon of the Toy Story series. Instead, it is a standalone story that explores the origins of the Buzz Lightyear action figure, which was inspired by the character within the universe of Toy Story.

Zooming into the Fictional Timeline

Let's delve deeper into the world of Lightyear. In the broader context of the Pixar universe, Buzz Lightyear is portrayed as an intergalactic space ranger who fights evil. His arch-nemesis, Emperor Zurg, is also a crucial element of the storyline.

For fans of the Toy Story series, one interesting theory is that Lightyear could be set in the 1980s, a time before the superheroes of the Incredibles had been completely wiped out. This could mean that Buzz Lightyear's adventures mustered the last of their legend, inspiring the creation of the Buzz Lightyear toy.

The Two Theories

The In-Universe Origin Story

One possibility is that Lightyear provides the in-universe origin story for Buzz Lightyear, depicting how he became the space ranger and legend carved into the toy. If this theory holds true, it could add a fantastic layer to the Pixar universe, suggesting that Buzz Lightyear, much like Dr. Evelyn ending with an infinitystone fragment, has a more magical and heroic backstory.

The Lego-Inspired Toy Line Story

Alternatively, Lightyear could be a film that focuses on a fictional Buzz Lightyear toy line, similar to the popularity of the Lego Star Wars line. This theory simplifies the complex lore surrounding Buzz Lightyear and allows for a broader range of storytelling possibilities. In this scenario, the film could end with a scene from a theatre where Andy begs for a Buzz Lightyear action figure, mirroring the start of the original Toy Story film.

Iconic Elements and Influences

The obvious influence of Star Wars is evident in the trailer for Lightyear. Many shots and scenes in the trailer have been compared to iconic moments from Star Wars, underscoring the strong impact of George Lucas' space saga on the Pixar team.

Moreover, the connection to Toy Story 2 is further emphasized through the revelation of Emperor Zurg as Buzz Lightyear's father, reminiscent of the famous "I am your father" line from Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back.

Conclusion

The true nature of Lightyear will only be revealed once the film is released. Regardless of the choice between the in-universe origin story or a toy line film, both theories offer compelling scenarios and leave room for exciting narrative developments.

Key Takeaways:

tLightyear is a standalone film inspired by the Buzz Lightyear toy, but not a part of the Toy Story canon. tThe film could either be a historically based origin story or a film revolving around the Buzz Lightyear toy line. tStar Wars elements strongly influence the film's setting and characters.