Chris Evans to voice Buzz Lightyear in ‘Toy Story’ spinoff, replacing Tim Allen

The Pixar feature, about a ‘young test pilot that became the Space Ranger we all know him to be today,’ blasts into theaters in June 2022

Disney announced today that Chris Evans would be voicing "the original Buzz Lightyear" in a new Pixar film, Lightyear, which is set to arrive in theaters on 17 June, 2022.

The announcement came as part of Disney's four-hour investors presentation, which also included major news around forthcoming Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar movies and TV shows.

Disney also shared a first look at the new Lightyear feature, which depicts the beloved Toy Story character (originally voiced by Tim Allen in all four earlier movies) as a “young test pilot that became the Space Ranger we all know him to be today.”

Finding Dory co-director Angus MacLane will helm Lightyear.

Allen previously reprised his role as Buzz Lightyear in 2019's Toy Story 4.

“It’s a very different Pixar movie," he told Us Weekly at the time.

"It’s not somber, but very reflective, layered. I put too much into it because I’m involved in it. I’m too close to it. I literally had a tough time watching it, because it brought up some of my own personal stuff about loss, change, moving on. It’s heartwarming. A little tough, but essentially pays off."

Pixar also shared a first look at its new original film from director Domee Shi titled Turning Red, about a young girl named Mei who turns into a red panda when she gets too excited. Turning Red is set to hit theaters on 11 March, 2022, a few months before Lightyear.

The animation company will soon release Soul on Disney+ on Christmas Day, with a follow-up, Luca, coming in June 2021.