Mater's News Tow-In! [04/21/11]

We’ve got a ton of great news to share in this edition of Mater’s News Tow-In!

From artwork to shrub work, Cars 2 has been making headlines left and right. Here are a couple of stories that you won’t want to "drive past."

Tons of New Cars 2 Art: Enough with the slow rollout! Disney/Pixar released a truckload of pieces from the production of Cars 2. Fortunately, Stitch Kingdom has taken the initiative to upload the ridiculous amount of concept artwork. Check it out here! HeyUGuys also has a large collection of art.

[via Stitch Kingdom]

Cars 2 Progression: As with Pixar’s past releases, one of the most interesting things to see are the different stages in the film’s production coming together. Check out how Cars 2 progressed from storyboard to layout all the way to animation, effects and ultimately to the final picture in the animated GIF to the right. 

[via crushedoutheavenly on Tumblr]

John Lasseter in TIME 100: Pixar CCO and Cars 2 director, John Lasseter, made it onto this year’s TIME 100 list! The studio’s good luck charm, John Ratzenberger, was charged with writing the short bio featured in the article. Catch a short clip featuring Lasseter discussing who he thinks the most influential person of 2011 is, embedded at this link.

[via The Pixar Blog]

Pixar Weekend at Epcot: Disney Parks fans, listen up! If you’re in the Orlando area, don’t miss Epcot’s Pixar Weekend. As part of the theme park’s Flower & Garden Festival, fans will marvel at Pixar inspired shrub work, meet and greet with the film’s characters and even get the chance to meet Cars 2 talent including Michael Giacchino, Jonas Rivera and Jay Ward! The festivities take place on May 13-15, 2011. Check out PixarWeekend.com for more information.

Cars 2 Countdown: A little over two months!

That’s all for now, folks!