Lightyear takes the best trait of Toy Story's original Buzz, and does a 180-flip to deliver a fresh interpretation of the iconic Pixar hero. Voiced by Tim Allen, Buzz Lightyear landed in 1995's Toy Story absolutely convinced of his Space Ranger credentials. Only some harsh words from Woody and a brief stint as "Mrs. Nesbitt" could convince Buzz that he was, indeed, a toy. Pixar's Lightyear is based on the Buzz Lightyear action figure's fictional backstory, where Zurg is a brutal cyborg villain, the Space Rangers are a genuine team of astronauts, and Buzz's wrist laser could shoot Woody's arm clean off... again.
Because Chris Evans' Buzz is a distinctly more serious version of the Toy Story character, Lightyear risks losing what Pixar fans have adored about the curly-haired spaceman for over a quarter of a century. The genius behind Buzz is the juxtaposition between deadpan Space Ranger and goofy toy. Even after learning he was "made in China," Buzz remains honorable and justice-minded (like how Woody still has characteristics of a cowboy). But for all Buzz's seriousness, he can't help let a goofy streak slip. From blushing over Jessie in Toy Story 2 to Spanish mode in Toy Story 3, Buzz's inner goofball is the secret ingredient behind his evergreen popularity.
In the first trailer released toward the end of 2021, Chris Evans showed none of Buzz's Toy Story tomfoolery. Thankfully, Lightyear's second trailer showcases Buzz's sillier side far better. He gets caught by a green alien tentacle before a big mission, then tries acting like nothing happened, giving only a reserved, "Thank you" after shaking off the monster. He's constantly followed by a cowardly robotic cat called Sox, and he can't think of a better description for Zurg than, "Just a MASSIVE robot." Mirroring the Toy Story movies, Lightyear undermines Buzz's super-earnest heroism with silly situations and kooky companions - then Buzz brushes everything off to make the gags even funnier.
And therein lies Lightyear's big character flip. In Toy Story, Buzz pretends to be something he's not. He thinks he's a Space Ranger, but eventually learns he's a battery-reliant mass-produced action figure. Across his Toy Story journey, Buzz discovers how to become both - a toy who carries the principles and courage of the character he's (literally) molded on. In Lightyear, Buzz isn't trying to convince people he's a real Space Ranger (he's already got the badge to prove that), but he is putting on a facade. Lightyear's second trailer reveals Buzz's people have been marooned on an alien planet for 12 whole months, and he's apparently the only person who can save them. Toy Story's Buzz believed he was a real hero and wanted to convince everyone around him; Lightyear flips the script, with Buzz aiming to be the hero everyone expects, trying to convince them (and himself) he's capable.
Lightyear is a more mature retelling of Buzz's original Toy Story arc. Both helmet-swooshing, laser-blinking characters are trying to find themselves, pressured by the expectations placed upon them - either by Star Command, or the toy manufacturer's elaborate made-up backstory. Just as Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear learned to embrace his goofy side as part of being a toy, Chris Evans' Lightyear character may discover that being everyone's hero doesn't necessarily mean being perfectly poised and in control at all times.