Warning: This article contains spoilers from Pixar's Lightyear.
Pixar's latest release Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear. As a wildly popular toy in the Toy Story universe, it is hard to believe that the space ranger is only from a single movie prior to Lightyear. It makes more sense that he was a character from a larger franchise beloved by Andy and countless other children. Between this and the post-credits scenes at the end of Lightyear, a sequel is definitely in the realm of possibility.
A Lightyear sequel could explore many possible storylines. Some of these storylines have already been teased, some focus on elements that deserve more exploration after Lightyear, and others relate back to the original Toy Story movies. Either way, the possible ideas for a sequel are full of promise.
The Return Of Zurg
Based on the post-credits scene, the return of Zurg is the most likely storyline to be explored in a sequel. The final post-credits scene showed Zurg floating lifelessly in space, that is until his red eyes lit back up. This would indicate that the alternate timeline version of Buzz Lightyear inside of the Zurg suit is still alive and will want revenge against the version of Buzz that defeated him.
Zurg being a villain beyond a single movie makes sense given how iconic his toy is in the Toy Story universe and seeing as he is the greatest adversary of the toy Buzz Lightyear. That is the makings of a villain across a movie franchise, not just a minor villain who was in one movie.
Exploring Other Alien Worlds
Despite taking place in outer space, Lightyear only takes place on one alien planet called Tkani Prime. The movie did a good job of fleshing out this planet, but a sequel has the opportunity to explore the other countless alien worlds out there.
Now that Buzz, Izzy, Darby, and Mo are Space Rangers, they can explore other alien worlds. This could help a Lightyear sequel lean even more heavily into the elements of the science-fiction genre and iconic spaces movies similar to Lightyear while challenging Buzz and the other characters with new and unfamiliar planets and alien life. Being Space Rangers takes on more meaning when they are able to explore more of space and interact with new lifeforms.
The Pizza Planet Aliens
Other than Buzz Lightyear and Zurg, Lightyear did not feature any familiar characters from the Toy Story franchise. Given the science-fiction genre, the toy aliens that feature throughout the franchise seem like the most natural fit to include in a sequel. Since there was already a Pizza Planet truck Easter egg featured in Lightyear, Pizza Planet advertising has technically already been snuck into the movie.
In the Toy Story universe where Andy and other children are watching these movies, it would make sense for Pizza Planet to get more advertising in by making their alien toys characters in the next Lightyear movie. From a real-world perspective, it makes sense to include the beloved aliens to incorporate more familiar elements that would make Toy Story fans more likely to watch a sequel.
Buzz, Izzy, Darby, Mo, & Sox Train New Space Rangers
While a sequel would inevitably feature Buzz, Izzy, Darby, and Mo going on adventures as Space Rangers with Sox at their side, it could also show them training a new generation of Space Rangers. Buzz's arc in the first movie largely focused on him learning to become a team player. His arc in a sequel could largely focus on him learning how to be a good teacher.
The diverse personalities on Buzz's team would allow them to reach the different learning styles and needs of the rookie Space Rangers they are training. Izzy, Darby, and Mo were out of their depth for much of the first movie, but it would be neat to see them now more confident and comfortable and ing on what they've learned to the next generation.
Return To Earth
After his many test flights, Buzz sees how life changed on Tkani Prime, from small things like sandwiches putting the meat on the outside and the bread on the inside to Star Command giving up on hyperspace fuel and focusing on a laser shield instead.
If all these changes have happened in this alien world during the time Buzz has been away, there are countless possibilities of how much Earth has changed since Buzz was last there. It would be fascinating to see this universe's version of Earth and for Buzz to see how it has changed since he was there last.
Sox Meets A Real Cat
While this would not be the main plot of a sequel, it would be a fun B plot or a Pixar animated short. From enjoying belly rubs to nuzzling up against Buzz, Sox exhibited some typical cat behaviors. However, as he is a robot, Sox also has many behaviors that differ from that of a real cat.
Sox has presumably never met a real cat before and it could make for an amusing storyline to see him meeting and interacting with a real cat for the first time. He would recognize some of the key similarities, but also be aware of some significant differences. Sox was Lightyear's most likable character and a sequel can't go wrong with more Sox and more adorable cats.
"Multiverse" Of Buzz
Between the main version of Buzz and the alternate timeline version he faced, Lightyear already featured multiple versions of the character. This could only be the tip of the iceberg, though, with Buzz encountering other versions of himself from alternate timelines.
This could be akin to some of the multiverse storylines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with multiple versions of Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and other characters in the same story. This could also be a great way of showcasing the many voice actors of Buzz Lightyear, especially Chris Evans and the original voice of the space ranger, Tim Allen.
Explore Alisha's Adventures While Buzz Was Away
Audiences saw the highlights of Alisha Hawthorne's life while Buzz was away for years at a time. Yet, there is still so much of her life that both Buzz and the audience never got to see. A sequel could offer the chance to see some of the adventures that Alisha had while Buzz was doing his test flights.
Seeing these adventures can show how Alisha grew as a Space Ranger and as a leader in between the life and family milestones that Buzz saw every time he returned. These adventures could also provide more insight into how everyone else on Tkani Prime adapted while Buzz was away, along with providing more insight into Alisha, and her relationship with her granddaughter Izzy.
A Technologically Advanced Species Returns To Reclaim Their Technology
The alternate timeline version of Buzz mentioned that the Zurg suit, the other robots, and the alien spaceship were abandoned, advanced technology that he discovered and used to his advantage. The movie does not further address where this technology came from, instead of leaving it as a convenient discovery for the movie's antagonist.
A sequel could make this an important plot point. This technology came from somewhere and likely belonged to a technologically advanced species. A sequel could see them returning to reclaim it and possibly team up with Buzz and the Space Rangers to defeat Zurg, or maybe Buzz and his alternate self will have to team up to defeat the technologically advanced species.
Adapting The Videogame From Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2 opens with an action-packed sequence where Buzz Lightyear breaks into Zurg's fortress and faces him. It turns out that this whole sequence is part of a videogame that Rex is playing in Andy's room.
If Buzz Lightyear is a character from a movie, the events depicted in this video game are likely from the Lightyear movies as well. A sequel can adapt the opening sequence from Toy Story 2 by showing Buzz (with his fancy new utility belt) facing Zurg's minions and traps before facing the villain himself. The sequence didn't end well when Rex was playing as Buzz in the videogame, but the actual events in a Lightyear sequel could have an entirely different outcome.
