Tim Allen, the actor who famously voiced the beloved character Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’s “Toy Story” franchise, has filed a lawsuit against the animation studio over their upcoming movie “Lightyear,” which centers around the origins of the space ranger character.
According to the lawsuit, Allen claims that Pixar did not seek his approval or permission to create the “Lightyear” movie, which features another actor, Chris Evans, as the voice of a younger version of Buzz Lightyear.
Allen argues that he is the rightful owner of the Buzz Lightyear character and that Pixar’s decision to recast the role is a breach of his contract and intellectual property rights.
“Tim Allen is Buzz Lightyear,” said Allen’s lawyer in a statement. “Pixar’s decision to cast someone else in the role is a clear violation of Mr. Allen’s rights, and we intend to seek just compensation for the damages caused by this infringement.”
The lawsuit has sparked a heated debate online, with some fans supporting Allen’s claim and others criticizing him for being possessive and refusing to pass on the torch to a new generation of actors.
Some have even suggested that Allen’s lawsuit is a publicity stunt designed to boost his profile and generate buzz for his upcoming projects.
Meanwhile, Pixar has released a statement in response to the lawsuit, stating that they stand by their decision to cast Evans as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in “Lightyear.”
“We respect Tim Allen’s contribution to the ‘Toy Story’ franchise, but we also believe that the character of Buzz Lightyear belongs to the world and can be portrayed by any talented actor,” the statement read.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this will affect the future of the “Toy Story” franchise and the beloved character of Buzz Lightyear.
