Toy Story fans are speculating whether the voice actor for beloved Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear, Tim Allen, has been axed from the character’s upcoming origin movie due to his outspoken political beliefs.
Allen, 68, provided the voice for Buzz Lightyear in all of the original Toy Story films alongside Tom Hanks in the role of Woody.
But he has been replaced in the upcoming ‘Lightyear’ movie by Captain America actor Chris Evans after voicing the character for nearly 30 years.
The move has divided fans of the highly popular animated character, some of whom railed against what they perceived as being a politically motivated removal of Allen while others welcomed Chris Evans and derided Allen’s conservative stance.
Allen, a staunch Republican, endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election and has been quoted as saying he ‘liked that Donald Trump pissed people off’.
Others meanwhile have argued the change in actor was simply a necessity because the upcoming ‘Lightyear’ movie will focus on the ‘real life’ character, not the toy.
Disney Pixar has not yet returned DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
Toy Story fans are speculating whether the voice actor for beloved Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear, Tim Allen, (left) has been axed from the character’s upcoming origin movie and replaced by Chris Evans (right) due to his outspoken political beliefs
Coming soon: ‘Lightyear’ is set to be released on June 17, 2022 as an origin story for Buzz Lightyear, who has been voiced by Tim Allen for nearly 30 years. Lightyear will be voiced in the upcoming film by Chris Evans (pictured: image of Buzz Lightyear from the ‘Lightyear’ teaser trailer)
Allen provided the voice for Buzz Lightyear (right) in all of the original Toy Story films alongside Tom Hanks in the role of Woody (left). He voiced the character as recently as 2019 in Toy Story 4 (pictured: image from Toy Story, 1995)
Actor and comedian Tim Allen voiced Buzz Lightyear in the 1995 Pixar film Toy Story, which scooped $373 million at the box office and has since become of the most well-loved animated films of all time.
Allen reprised the role in several sequel films and animated shorts, and voiced the animated astro-toy as recently as 2019 in Toy Story 4.
It therefore came as a surprise to Toy Story fans that Allen had been dropped from the role for the upcoming Buzz Lightyear movie and replaced by Captain American actor Chris Evans.
Some welcomed the change while others criticised Pixar for what they believed was a shallow, politically-motivated silencing of an instantly recognisable voice.
Some fans have theorized that the film will depict Buzz Lightyear the man, of which Andy – the ‘real life’ character in the Toy Story universe, buys an action figure – the same Buzz Lightyear voiced by Tim Allen (pictured: image from ‘Lightyear’ teaser trailer
Some fans welcomed the arrival of Chris Evans and chastised Allen for his political views
Conversely, author Brigitte Gabriel tweeted (right): ‘Tim Allen is the only person capable of being Buzz Lightyear. Did Disney cancel him for being a Republican?’, while other fans lamented the loss of Allen
‘So glad Tim Allen isn’t voicing Buzz Lightyear. His political beliefs will negatively influence children who watch the film and he sounds like he’s 90-years-old anyways. Sorry, not sorry. Chris Evans is the perfect fit,’ one user tweeted.
Good morning to everyone who’s happy to have Chris Evans voicing Buzz Lightyear instead of Trumper Tim Allen’ another wrote.
Conversely, author Brigitte Gabriel tweeted: ‘Tim Allen is the only person capable of being Buzz Lightyear. Did Disney cancel him for being a Republican?’
Allen is an outspoken Republican and supporter of former President Donald Trump.
However, the outrage from both sides may simply be missing the point.
Other users chimed in to explain that the change in actors was simply due to the upcoming ‘Lightyear’ film being an origin story about the ‘real life’ Buzz Lightyear.
They theorized that the film will depict Buzz Lightyear the man, of which Andy – the ‘real life’ character in the Toy Story universe, buys an action figure – the same Buzz Lightyear voiced by Tim Allen.
Other users chimed in to explain that the change in actors was simply due to the upcoming ‘Lightyear’ film being an origin story about the ‘real life’ Buzz Lightyear, which would account for the change in actors
Little has been revealed about the ‘Lightyear’ film, with the decision to choose Evans as the eponymous hero one of the only casting announcements thus far.
The film represents the 26th animated feature by Pixar and is directed by Angus MacLane and produced by Galyn Susman.
Evans released a statement about the project, calling it a ‘dream come true’ to voice Buzz Lightyear.
‘The phrase ”a dream come true” gets thrown around a lot, but I’ve never meant it more in my life. Anyone who knows me knows that my love for animated films runs deep,’ he said.
‘I can’t believe that I get to be a part of the Pixar family and work with these truly brilliant artists who tell stories unlike anyone else. Watching them work is nothing short of magic. I pinch myself every day,’ Evans said via Just Jared.
Lightyear will be released to theaters on June 17, 2022.
Representatives for Tim Allen are yet to respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.