Disney+ has officially announced a Cars TV series with Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy reprising their roles as Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater. Cars has remained a popular franchise for Disney and Pixar since its successful debut in 2006. The story centers around Lightning McQueen, a hotshot racecar who gets stuck in the dilapidated town of Radiator Springs. While it's not exactly his speed at first, McQueen learns that fame and fortune aren't everything, and learns to value the important things in life. The Cars franchise has grown to include three films, short films, and other spinoffs, as well as inspiring Disney theme park attractions and an ever-popular Cars merchandise line.
Even though Cars was a hit when it was released, it has since developed somewhat of a cult following with adults in recent years. The eccentric characters and charming one-liners are some of the details that make the movie so memorable. There has been some chatter about Pixar debuting a Cars 4, but it hasn't looked very promising. But back during Disney Investor Day in 2020, Pixar CCO Pete Docter hinted at a potential Cars TV show surrounding the quirky friendship of McQueen and Mater might be in the works.
Now, during Disney+ day, the streaming service has officially announced the upcoming Cars spinoff show. Dubbed Cars on the Road, the show will follow Mater and McQueen as they say goodbye to Radiator Springs to embark on a cross-country road trip. Their journey will lead them back to old friends, into adventures with new ones, and show the unlikely duo some of the wildest sights the open road has to offer. No release date has been announced, but it's expected to premiere sometime in 2022.
Along with the announcement, Disney shared some of the storyboard concepts for Cars on the Road. One photo shows McQueen and Mater, who has somehow transformed into a monster truck, frighteningly lurking through the woods. Another shows the pair running away from a hybrid dinosaur truck monster that looks like it could be from Transformers. Check out the drawings below.
Cars has always been a big franchise for Disney, so a series centering around the film's central friendship is sure to live up to the expected hype. Since Disney+ has had a massive breakout during its first two years, the company is chugging along in putting out as much new content as possible to keep subscribers interested. And a Cars series that is quirky, fun, and true to its roots is a safe bet for a hit show, with an appeal to both old fans and new viewers.
Source: Disney+/Twitter