Hollywood's biggest night brought fans another trailer for Pixar's Lightyear. The Oscar's TV spot was introduced by Chris Evans, the voice behind this non-toy version of Buzz Lightyear.
Since the character’s introduction in described by director Angus MacLane as "a straightforward sci-fi action film about the Buzz Lightyear character that inspired the action figure," is set to release exclusively in theaters on June 17th, 2022, and has the chance to ground the toy in reality but it should still reference a few things from the comedic Pixar films.
Mission Log
Before Buzz realizes he is a toy and not a Space Ranger, he often opens his flip-out wrist communicator to reach Star Command and update them on his journey. From the trailers released so far for Lightyear, Buzz can be heard updating his "mission log."
Since Buzz may be alone for much of the film, utilizing this similar to films like the best Buzz Lightyear quotes from Toy Story.
Open Helmet
It is a dangerous game when Woody opens Buzz's helmet in Toy Story. While watching Buzz act as if he is suffocating because of the air quality on an "uncharted planet" is hilarious when he is a toy, it would be interesting to depict the actuality of this in Lightyear.
Lightyear has the chance to be Pixar's most adult-centric film yet. If they want to step up to the plate and make a genuine action movie, seeing a Ranger's "eyeballs sucked from their sockets" would probably do the trick, though that might be taking things too far.
Code of Ethics
Throughout all of the Toy Story films, Buzz has spouted the rules and regulations of being a Space Ranger for Star Command. could answer questions about Buzz's origin in the Galactic Alliance.
"You're in direct violation of code 6405.5 stating: all Space Rangers are to be in hyper-sleep until awakened by authorized personnel" and "Code 546" referencing royalty from Toy Story 2 are moments fans laugh at. However, seeing real use of these codes in Lightyear would allow for a new level of world-building for the character and make Star Command feel authentic.
Utility Belt
In Toy Story 2, viewers are introduced to a newer version of Buzz Lightyear with added gear. His belt features an anti-gravity servo that allows him to counteract the effects of gravity.
Lightyear could ground that feature by showing Buzz receive the belt from Star Command. This addition could be useful while fighting Zurg or other alien opponents. Plus, as seen in the game Buzz Lightyear: Attack on Zurg in the opening of Toy Story 2, the belt could save Buzz from a potentially fatal fall in battle.
Climbing Magnets & Grappling Hook
Other features from Utility Buzz in Toy Story 2 are showcased during a grueling climb up an elevator shaft. It is comical to watch a confused Buzz Lightyear toy utilize his features but using them in the heat of a genuine battle in Lightyear would be interesting.
The grappling hook could come in handy on the rocky terrain of the planet shown in the trailers. Moreover, any actual use of these tools would ground this character in reality, something needed for this iteration of Buzz.
Shooting A Laser At A Crystal
While Toy Story's Buzz might just have a "little lightbulb that blinks" attached to his arm, the trailers for Lightyear feature a much more dangerous laser. An imperative addition to his suit, Buzz will undoubtedly use his laser in many a battle on his mission from Star Command.
In the opening of Toy Story 2, Buzz is surrounded by robots with no way out. He sees a crystalline cluster on the planet's surface and shoots his laser at it, refracting the light through every robot. It would be an interesting battle tactic that the film could include as a welcome reference.
Gamma Quadrant Of Sector 4
Upon first meeting Buzz in Toy Story, he gives a speech that is also written on the box. He explains that he is stationed on the Gamma Quadrant of Sector 4 and has run off-course en route to Sector 12.
It is possible that the station shown in Lightyear trailers is in Sector 4 and his mission, which then gets imprinted into toy Buzz, takes place in Sector 12. This character-building all could be scrapped, but it would be a justified nod to the initial world-building done in Toy Story already.
Secret Entrance To The Left Hidden In The Shadows
In Toy Story 2, fans watched Rex, one of the best Pixar characters according to Ranker, obsess over trying to defeat Zurg in the video game Buzz Lightyear: Attack on Zurg. After reading revealed secrets about the game in a magazine, he discovers the way to infiltrate Zurg's fortress is to the left of the main gate, hidden in the shadows.
It is a small detail but would be fun to include in Lightyear as a way that Buzz must circumvent the robot Zurg's fortress. Toy Story fans would be glad to see it and it could give origin to that detail inside of the in-movie game.
Source of Zurg's Power Battery
Toy Story 2's opening sequence has a lot to unpack and possibly reference in the spin-off origin film. After entering Zurg's fortress, Buzz arrives at a floating battery labeled "Source of Zurg's Power" and reaches for it. Though Zurg isn't one of the most intelligent Pixar villains, he does include this mirage as a trap.
It would be interesting to include something similar in Lightyear as a trick that Zurg hopes Buzz would believe. There probably won't be a single battery containing all of Zurg's power, but it only took one shot to destroy the Death Star.
Glow-In-The-Dark Armor
A prominent feature in Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear action figure is his glow-in-the-dark, green accents. Throughout the films, Buzz uses this feature as a light source anytime it is dark enough.
Though it is expected that the armor in Lightyear will do the same, it has yet to be showcased much in the trailers. The film will feature a lot of exploration on the "uncharted planet" and having the glow-in-the-dark suit as a nod and a dramatic lighting source for the animators would be a great addition.
