Things aren’t looking too good for seasoned veteran Lightning McQueen in the first pair of posters for Cars 3, Disney and Pixar’s animated sequel slated for release in June.
The first one-sheet is essentially a screengrab from that surprisingly dark teaser trailer, showcasing an overturned McQueen careering through the air. From this moment, everything will change, and we assume that unnerving sequence is lifted from early on in Cars 3, paving the way for the comeback story to end all comeback stories – or something to that effect.
The second, international poster, meanwhile, is a shot of the Owen Wilson-voiced hero driving on a beach, which is welcome reassurance that the Brian Fee-directed threequel won’t be all doom and gloom.
Even still, by focusing on McQueen as he begins to show signs of wear and tear, Cars 3 has laid the necessary groundwork to tell a story that revolves around an aging champion clamouring to get a taste of his former glories. Blindsided by an upstart known as Jackson Storm, Lightning McQueen is no longer the hottest vehicle on the circuit, and we’re intrigued to see how first-time director Fee balances the tone when the film arrives next year.
Cars 3 will make a beeline for theaters on June 16, 2017. Also on board are Larry the Cable Guy as Mater, Bonnie Hunt as Sally Carrera, and Cheech Marin as Ramone.
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez, with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!