Previously set to be a 2013 direct-to-video release, DisneyToon Studio’s Cars spinoff Planes has been upgraded to an August 9, 2013 theatrical release, Box Office Mojo reports.
This could be a good sign for those wary about the film, as this push suggests that Disney has confidence in the spinoff (keep in mind that Toy Story 2 was also a direct-to-video production before receiving the same treatment). It could, however, just be another result of John Lasseter being more fond of the Cars franchise than most. This should lead to even more confusion over whether Planes is a Pixar production or not, and may even create some unintended box office competition for Monsters University towards the end of its run.
Watch the teaser for Planes below:
Your thoughts?
Last modified: December 21, 2012
Of course there’s going to be some confusion about it not being a Pixar film when you have Disney doing the exact same type of animation as Pixar nowadays. There used to be a time when we had a much clearer distinction between Disney and Pixar animation (back when 2D animation was still Disney’s signature medium). Today, not so much.
I love Pixar but that sounds wrong. It sounds like Ratatouille 2 – Skinner takes reign over another fine restaurant (Remy’s) and tries to sell it to fast food chains just like he did it with Gusteau’s.
Disney almost killed “2D” animation not so long ago when they sent all lower-quality direct-to-video sequels to cinemas. I don’t want to watch them doing the same with 3D/Pixar.
This looks horrible. I really wish Disney returned to the glory days of 2D animation and musicals…sigh
Little boys will love “Planes” – it might become a moderate box office success for Disney (guessing their production costs were much lower than the typical 200 million dollars Pixar movie, since they were going straight to DVD/BluRay).