World of Cars

"Life is a highway, a spy mission, and the finish line."

- The film's tagline

World of Cars (also known as Cars Origins: Lightning McQueen outside North America) is a 2020 animated road-comedy and spy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios. It is an installment of the Disney Reborn Multiverse. Distributed by Disney+, it features an ensemble voice cast that includes Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Armie Hammer, Cristela Alonzo, Katherine Helmond, Tony Shalhoub, Paul Dooley, George Carlin, Cheech Marin, Jenifer Lewis, Michael Wallis, Eddie Izzard, Thomas Kretschmann, Nathan Fillion, Kerry Washington, Lea DeLaria, John Ratzenberger, Michael Keaton, Guido Quaroni, Jerome Ranft, with John Turturro and Chris Cooper. The film also features numerous cameos provided by dozens of NASCAR personalities and celebrities.

Development on World of Cars began in late 2017 after the release of Cars 3 and by March 2019, pre-production on the film was underway. Wallis confirmed that the film would involve somewhere in Route 69.

It was released on February 1, 2020, receiving positive reviews from critics, who praised Lasseter's direction, the emotional weight of the story, and the voice talent performances (particularly Wilson, Hunt and Helmond), but criticism for its animation and long duration. The film is dedicated to the memories of Helmond, who died in February 2019, and former racing driver Junior Johnson, who died in December 2019.

Synopsis
Disney+ presents a whole new world populated entirely by anthropomorphic talking cars and other vehicles. Piston Cup champion Lightning McQueen finds himself in Radiator Springs, learning that life is more important than crossing the finish line. After racing for six years as a veteran, McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of high tech race cars that he is still the best race car in the world. McQueen and tow truck Mater head to Japan and Europe to compete in the World Grand Prix, but Mater accidentally becomes sidetracked with international espionage.

Plot
In a world populated by anthropomorphic talking vehicles, the final race of the 2005 Piston Cup season ends in a three-way tie between retiring veteran Strip "The King" Weathers, frequent runner-up Chick Hicks, and brash rookie sensation Lightning McQueen; the tiebreaker race is scheduled for one week later at the Los Angeles International Speedway. Lightning is desperate to win the race, not only to be the first rookie to win the Piston Cup, but also because it would allow him to leave the unglamorous sponsorship of Rust-Eze, a bumper ointment company, and take The King's place on the prestigious and lucrative Dinoco team. Eager to get to California as soon as possible, he pushes his big rig, Mack, to travel all night long. While Lightning is sleeping, Mack nods off and is startled awake, causing Lightning to fall out the back of the trailer and onto the road. Lightning wakes up in the middle of traffic and speeds off the highway in search of Mack, but instead ends up in the rundown desert town of Radiator Springs, where he inadvertently damages the pavement of the main road.

The next day, Lightning is ordered by the town judge, Doc Hudson, to leave town immediately, but the local lawyer, Sally, requests that Lightning should instead be assigned community service to repave the road, to which Doc reluctantly agrees. Still in a rush to leave town, Lightning repaves the road shoddily, and is ordered to repave it again. During this time, he begins to warm to the town, and befriends several of its residents. He learns that Radiator Springs was once a popular stop along U.S. Route 66 until it was bypassed with the construction of the Interstate System and mostly forgotten, and that Doc was a famous three-time Piston Cup winner whose career ended prematurely from a serious crash. He bonds with Sally, who found happiness when she gave up a fast life in LA to live in Radiator Springs, and now dreams of putting the town back on the map. Lightning finishes repaving the road, reinvigorating the town's residents, and decides to spend an extra day in Radiator Springs with his new friends, but his time there is cut short when Mack and the media descend on the town. Lightning reluctantly leaves to reach California in time for the race while Sally chastises Doc upon discovering that he was responsible for tipping off the media to Lightning's whereabouts.

At the race, Lightning races distractedly and soon falls into last place. He is then surprised to discover that Doc, having a change of heart, has taken over as his crew chief and several of his other friends from Radiator Springs are helping in the pit. Inspired and recalling tricks he learned from Doc and his friends, Lightning quickly emerges to lead the race into the final laps, but at the last minute, Chick, refusing to lose to The King again, sideswipes and sends The King into a dangerous crash. Recalling Doc's fate, Lightning stops just short of the finish line, allowing Chick to win, and drives back to push The King over the finish line. As a result, the angered crowd and media condemn Chick's victory while also praising Lightning's sportsmanship. Lightning is offered the Dinoco sponsorship, but declines and insists on staying with Rust-Eze out of loyalty for their past support. Back at Radiator Springs, Lightning reunites with Sally and announces that he will be setting up his racing headquarters there, putting Radiator Springs back on the map.

Throughout the 2016 Piston Cup season, McQueen, now a three-time Piston Cup champion after the recent death of Doc and the other veteran racers of the Piston Cup racing series suddenly find themselves struggling to win against next-generation rookies like Jackson Storm, who utilize advanced technology and modern training methods. As Storm's breakout success attracts other rookies to the series, most of the veterans either retire or are fired to make way for the new generation. In the final race of the season, McQueen desperately attempts to overtake Storm but loses control and suffers a violent crash, leaving him badly injured.

Four months later, McQueen is still recovering in Radiator Springs, isolating himself from his friends and spending his time watching footage of Doc. After receiving some encouragement from Sally, McQueen decides to return to racing and calls his sponsors from Rust-Eze, Rusty and Dusty, who reveal that they have sold the team to a new owner named Sterling. In a new state-of-the-art training center, Sterling assigns McQueen to train under racing trainer Cruz Ramirez. McQueen struggles to adapt to Cruz's modern methods and fails to improve, damaging an expensive simulator in the process, so Sterling tries to force him into retirement. McQueen offers a deal: if he can win the first race of the season, he can continue racing as long as he wants; otherwise, he will retire immediately. Sterling is worried about damaging McQueen's marketability, but accepts the deal, but assigns Cruz to join him.

McQueen tries to train on nearby Fireball Beach but ends up spending most of his time teaching Cruz how to drive on the sandy terrain. McQueen then attempts to join a race incognito at a famous dirt track called Thunder Hollow, but inadvertently enters a figure-8-style demolition derby with Cruz, which she wins. McQueen's identity is also discovered, adding to his humiliation. Distraught at the apparent waste of training time, McQueen rages at Cruz and in the process accidentally breaks her trophy. Cruz reveals that she had wanted to be a racer just like McQueen all her life, but never started a race due to her feeling intimidated and outclassed by the other racers. She resigns as McQueen's trainer and heads back to the training center.

Guilty and with no other options, McQueen calls his friend Mater for advice. He suggests that McQueen tracks down Doc's mentor Smokey, in Doc's hometown of Thomasville, so McQueen catches up to Cruz and convinces her to rejoin him. In Thomasville, McQueen meets up with Smokey, who reveals that despite the fact Doc never raced again, he found new happiness in training McQueen. After McQueen accepts that he will never be as fast as Storm, Smokey and his friends help McQueen learn new tricks to overcome his speed disadvantage, using Cruz as his sparring partner. However, during the final practice race, Cruz suddenly overtakes him and he suffers a flashback to his crash, shaking his confidence.

At the race in Florida, McQueen starts last, but with coaching from Smokey in the pits, manages to gradually push up the ranks. Sterling, who still believes McQueen can't win, orders Cruz back to the training center, despite her wanting to stay and watch the race. Overhearing the exchange and remembering Cruz's dream of racing, McQueen instead has his crew outfit her to take his place, which includes painting on her his #95. While shaky at first, Cruz is able to push up the ranks thanks to McQueen coaching her using a combination of what he taught her and her own training methods, and eventually ends up right behind Storm. Storm, feeling threatened, tries to intimidate Cruz, even to the point of ramming her against the wall in the final lap. Cruz, however, uses one of Doc's old tricks to outmaneuver him and wins the race.

As Cruz celebrates her victory, Sterling offers her a role on his team, but she instead takes a counteroffer from legendary owner Tex Dinoco. Sterling reminds McQueen about his bet, but as McQueen started the race that Cruz finished using the same number, he gets a share of the win, thus winning his bet. Sometime later, McQueen and Cruz return to Radiator Springs, where McQueen reveals that Tex, after seeing Sterling's callousness, has bought Rust-eze from him, and McQueen, now decked in Doc's racing colors, decides to continue racing and train Cruz.

Voice cast
A 1951 Hudson Hornet, who is later revealed to be the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. A young Piston Cup rookie. A 2002 996-series Porsche 911 Carrera, who is McQueen's girlfriend. A 1951 International Harvester L-170 "boom" truck. McQueen's new racing rival. A 2017 CRS Sports Coupe, who is Lightning McQueen's trainer. A 1923 Ford Model T, who is the widow of the late Stanley. An old train, who works on the Ornament Valley Railroad. A 1959 Fiat 500. A 1941 Willys model jeep, in the style used by the US Military. A 1960 VW Bus. A 1959 Chevrolet Impala Lowrider. A 1957 General Motors Motorama show car. A 1949 Mercury Club Coupe (police package). A rich business car and the new Rust-eze team owner. A statistical analyst. An intimidating monster school bus at the Thunder Hollow demolition derby. A 1985 Mack Super-Liner. A generic 1980s stock car and McQueen's former racing rival. Doc Hudson's former mechanic and crew chief. An Italian-accented forklift, who is Luigi's best friend and assistant. A 1960s style fire engine. The mean Peterbilt truck whom Lightning McQueen mistakes for Mack while lost.
 * Paul Newman as Doc Hudson (archival recordings)
 * Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen
 * Bonnie Hunt as Sally Carrera
 * Larry the Cable Guy as Tow Mater
 * Armie Hammer as Jackson Storm
 * Cristela Alonzo as Cruz Ramirez
 * Katherine Helmond as:
 * Lizzie
 * Galloping Geargrinder
 * Tony Shalhoub as Luigi
 * Paul Dooley as Sarge
 * George Carlin as Fillmore (archival recordings)
 * Cheech Marin as Ramone
 * Jenifer Lewis as Flo
 * Michael Wallis as Sheriff
 * Nathan Fillion as Sterling
 * Kerry Washington as Natalie Certain
 * Lea DeLaria as Miss Fritter
 * John Ratzenberger as:
 * Mack
 * Hamm
 * The Abominable Snowplow
 * P.T. Flea
 * Michael Keaton as Chick Hicks
 * Chris Cooper as Smokey
 * Guido Quaroni as Guido
 * Jerome Ranft as:
 * Red
 * Jerry Recycled Batteries
 * Bob Peterson as Dr. Damage / Chick Hicks Double
 * Lloyd Sherr as Tony Trihull / Fillmore Double
 * Peter Jacobson as Acer
 * Joe Mantegna as Grem
 * Jeff Garlin as Otis
 * Isiah Whitlock Jr. as River Scott
 * Margo Martindale as Louise Nash
 * Junior Johnson as Junior "Midnight" Moon
 * John Lasseter as John Lassetire
 * Gary Clark Jr. as Roy Gauge
 * ZZ Ward as Ericka Dent
 * Richard Petty as Strip "The King" Weathers
 * Dale Earnhardt Jr. as Junior #8
 * Jerry Trainor as Todd Marcus
 * Jess Harnell as Chuck Armstrong
 * Sheryl Crow as Elvis
 * Bob Costas as Bob Cutlass
 * Darrell Waltrip as Darrell Cartrip
 * Donald Flock as Larry Camper
 * Douglas Keever as Doug R.M.
 * AJ Riebli as Albert Hinkey
 * Jim Ward as Chief Chick
 * Mike Nelson as Not Chuck
 * John Cygan as Richard Clayton Kensington (archival recordings)
 * Sarah Clark as Kori Turbowitz
 * Humpy Wheeler as Tex Dinoco
 * Lynda Petty as Lynda Weathers (archival recordings)
 * Lindsey Collins as Mia
 * Elissa Knight as Tia
 * Brian Fee as Al Oft
 * Tom Magliozzi as Rusty Rust-eze (archival recordings)
 * Ray Magliozzi as Dusty Rust-eze (archival recordings)
 * Andrew Stanton as Fred
 * Jeremy Piven as Harv
 * E.J. Holowicki as DJ
 * Jonas Rivera as Boost
 * Adrian Ochoa as Wingo
 * Lou Romano as Snot Rod
 * Sonoko Konishi as Chuki
 * Jay Leno as Jay Limo
 * Arnold Schwarzenegger as Sven
 * Michael Bell as Houser Boon
 * Bob Bergen as Dan Sclarkenberg
 * Craig Good as Skip Ricter
 * Richard Kind as Van
 * Edie McClurg as Minny
 * Frank Welker as Frank / Tractors
 * Mario Andretti as Mario Andretti #11
 * Rodger Bumpass as Wide Chick Pitty
 * Artie Kempner as Artie
 * Kathy Coates as Kathy Copter
 * Michael Schumacher as Michael Schumacher Ferrari
 * Jan Rabson as T.J. Hummer
 * Jason Isaacs as Siddeley / Leland Turbo
 * Sig Hansen as Crabby the Boat
 * Lewis Hamilton as Lewis Hamilton
 * Jeff Gordon as Jeff Gorvette
 * Daisuke "Dice" Tsutsumi as Daisu Tsashimi
 * Bruce Campbell as Rod "Torque" Redline
 * Brent Musburger as Brent Mustangburger
 * David Hobbs as David Hobbscap
 * Colin Cowherd as Colin Cowling
 * Claudia Leitte as Carla Veloso
 * Greg Ellis as Nigel Gearsley
 * Fernando Alonso as Miguel Camino
 * Erik Passoja as Shu Todoroki
 * Sebastian Vettel as Max Schnell
 * Jan Nilsson as Raoul ÇaRoule
 * Vitaly Petrov as Rip Clutchgoneski
 * Franco Nero as Uncle Topolino
 * Vanessa Redgrave as Mama Topolino
 * Michel Michelis as Tomber
 * Teresa Gallagher as Mater's Computer
 * Stanley Townsend as Vladimir Trunkov / Ivan / Victor Hugo
 * Patrick Walker as Mel Dorado
 * Velibor Topic as Alexander Hugo
 * John Mainier as J. Curby Gremlin
 * Brad Lewis as Tubbs Pacer
 * Elizabeth II as the Queen
 * Prince William, Duke of Cambridge as Prince Wheeliam
 * Angel Oquendo as Bobby Swift
 * Kyle Petty as Cal Weathers
 * Diedrich Bader as Brick Yardley
 * Madeleine McGraw as Maddy McGear
 * Shannon Spake as Shannon Spokes
 * Darrell Wallace Jr. as Bubba Wheelhouse
 * Chase Elliott as Chase Racelott
 * Ryan Blaney as Ryan "Inside" Laney
 * Daniel Suárez as Daniel Swervez
 * Mike Joy as Mike Joyride
 * Kurt Busch as Kurt
 * Memo Rojas, Jr. as Gabriel
 * Jeremy Maxwell as Arvy Motorhome
 * Jason Pace as Faregame
 * Andra Day as Sweet Tea
 * Ray Evernham as Ray Reverham
 * Tom Hanks as Sheriff Woody Car
 * Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear Car
 * Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski Monster Truck
 * John Goodman as James P. "Sulley" Sullivan Monster Truck
 * Dave Foley as Flik Car

Production
Regarding a possible Cars 4, Cars 3 producers Kevin Reher and Andrea Warren stated speaking to Cinema Blend that "If there's a good story to tell, I mean, our heads kinda break after having gotten this one done, like "oh my ***" what could you do the further adventures of? But like any sequel, from Toy Story 4 to Incredibles 2, as long as there's a good story to tell it's worth investing, we do love these characters, we love them as much as the public does." Regarding which character would be the main protagonist in the film, Reher and Warren stated that "if Cruz is a breakout character, kind of like Mater was, she would be involved in a 4". Owen Wilson stated at a Cars 3 press event that possible stories have been discussed for a Cars 4, though he would personally like for a fourth Cars film to delve into aspects of the thriller genre, akin to Cars 2. In an interview with Screen Rant, Lea DeLaria expressed interest in reprising her role as Miss Fritter while promoting the release of the short film, Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool with the Cars 3 DVD and Blu-ray release.

The film was officially announced as World of Cars during the 2018 Comic-Con.

Post-production
Coming soon!

Casting
Much of the original cast are expected to reprise their roles from previous films.

On January 31, Gary Clark Jr. and ZZ Ward were announced to voice Roy Gauge and Ericka Dent from the Racing Sports Network media series.

Music
Randy Newman and Michael Giacchino are scheduled to compose the film's score since the first two films. Returning songs will include "Real Gone", "Life is a Highway", "Our Town", "Sh-Boom", "Route 66", "You Might Think", "Kings Highway", "Run That Race", and "Ride".

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 85% based on 4 reviews and an average rating of 7.23/10. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 65 out of 100 based on 3 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Trivia

 * Tony Shalhoub and Cheech Marin have previously appeared as Misha and Ignacio in DreamWorks Pictures' Paulie from 1998.
 * The voice cast includes many racing drivers and personalities from all over the world.
 * Since January 2018, an alternate version of the Tokyo race from Cars 2 was released widespread on YouTube. This film will include that footage in full high-definition alongside a new score composed by Giacchino.
 * Several sound effects of reacting audiences from Wii Sports Resort are featured during the Los Angeles International Speedway, including Strip Weathers' big crash.
 * Arnold Schwarzenegger has portrayed T-800 in all his Terminator appearances and cameos.
 * Teresa Gallagher currently voices Annie and Clarabel in Thomas & Friends.
 * Colin Cowling's appearance is taken through archival footage from Planes.
 * The film marks as one of the final projects to be directed by John Lasseter shortly after his retirement from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios in 2019.
 * There are numerous adult jokes in the film:
 * During the first time Lightning has to repair the main road, and after Red the firetruck ignored him, Lighting gets upset and says: "I shouldn't have to put up with this! I'm a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics!!" Then Mater gets confused and asks, "You hurt your whaaaat??" He was probably referring to Lightning's crotch, as when Mater usually says "what" at the end or middle of asking a question, he usually is referring to anything inappropriate.
 * Lightning's racing sponsor is Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment: New Rear-End Formula, a treatment for one's backside.
 * At the courthouse (when Lightning was being accused), after Lightning asks Mater if he knows Sally, Mater replies, "She's the town attorney...and my fiancée." (This could be to make Lightning feel jealous or just to tease him.) Then Lightning exclaims, "What?!" with a shocked face (he thought Mater was serious, while Mater was trying to get a reaction out of him for play). Mater then giggles, lightly taps him, and says: "Nah, I'm just kiddin'. She just likes me for my body." (He then leans to the side and moves his bottom eyelid up as if he was getting horny/aroused about the remark.)
 * As Lightning watches Sally drive away, he remarks, "Hey, do I spy a little pinstriping tattoo back there?", and the camera focuses on said tattoo on Sally's trunk. She then gets so embarrassed that she knocks over a pile of traffic cones.
 * When Lightning explains to Mater late one night that Sally is going to let him stay at the motel, Mater replies, "Ohhh, gettin' cozy at the Cone, is we?" He was probably referring to Lightning and Sally having sex at the motel.
 * When Lightning drives in on Doc Hudson fixing the Sheriff, whose undercarriage is exposed, Lightning stares and then soon looks away in embarrassment, and the Sheriff says, "Get a good peek, City Boy?" As Lightning leaves, the Sheriff remarks, "Hope you enjoyed the show!"
 * One of the sponsors in the Piston Cup for racer Claude Scruggs is called "Leak Less", a trademark of drip pans that are used to prevent oil leaks. This is equivalent to absorbent pads worn by people with urinary incontinence.
 * When Lightning tells Rusty and Dusty that he doesn't need headlights because the track is always lit, Rusty replies, "Yeah, well, so is my brother, but he still needs headlights." This means that he is a drunk driver. When Lightning leaves, Rusty and Dusty both yell, "Don't drive like my brother!" This is another reference to drunk driving.
 * Rusty Cornfuel's sponsor is Tow Cap: Hitch Protection. The logo shows a piece of rubber on a hitch, a reference to condoms, as a car's hitch could be compared to a man's privates.
 * Lightning tells everyone at Flo's Cafe that Doc Hudson won three Piston Cups, although when Mater hears what Lightning said, he responds, "He did what in his cups?!", misinterpreting "Piston Cup" and believing that Doc had urinated in his cup.
 * After Lightning insults Francesco Bernoulli by calling him fragile and not so fast, Francesco begins talking angrily and swearing at Lightning in Italian, before being muted to avoid offense to Italian viewers, then backs up and rubs his back tires on the floor. This means that he may have been flipping Lightning off.
 * When Mater is playfully sneaking around in the Wheel Well Motel, he tries a martini out of curiosity. However, after doing so, he notices that the taste is too strong and awful, and he still had it in his mouth, not wanting to swallow it. He looks everywhere for a place to spit it out, but he could only spit it back in the glass that he drank it from. This is equivalent to a naive person trying alcohol for the first time to see if they like it or not.
 * When Mater is in the bathroom in Tokyo, he sits on a Japanese toilet and cluelessly presses the wash button. The gadget then fires a cold spray of water up to his undercarriage, making him scream in pain and fright.
 * Before leaving the bathroom mentioned above, Mater warns Grem and Acer, "When she starts gigglin', prepare to be squirted!" This is a reference to ejaculation.
 * When Holley Shiftwell says to Mater that they should find somewhere more private, Mater gets confused and begins to think that she meant for them to go make love.
 * When Acer falls onto the chopsticks on the sushi restaurant sign, the cartoon figure appears to be a cannibal, eating his own kind.
 * In Paris, when Mater meets the owner of a headlights market, he is scared off when the owner's eyes are on the headlights. This signifies that the eyes are, in a human's case, on the breast.
 * On Siddeley, Mater says: "Boy, I've gotta go to a doctor. I keep getting these sharp pains in my undercarriage."
 * When Mater is given a vampire disguise, he remarks, "Hahahaha. I want to siphon your gas!" This is a reference to vampires and their desire to suck victims' blood.
 * In Porto Corsa, when Holley is doing her fake Italian voice to distract the Lemons outside the casino, she asks in an Italian-English accent if one of the Lemons could help her find her lost, made-up, broken-down grandfather, to which Ivan responds, "Sounds like you need some roadside assistance." Also, he shows her his tow cable as his hook comes down. Then Ivan and Alex get in a small argument about who she was talking to. This is a clear example of two criminals taking advantage of a sexy, hot lady. Additionally, "roadside assistance" from Ivan could mean that he wanted to go sexually assault her because he is a bad guy.
 * When a few cars are gambling and playing with fuzzy dice, Mary Esgocar arrives and says, "Air freshener!", which may imply that she is talking about male car body odor.
 * During Lightning's training at Rust-eze Racing Center, Cruz Ramirez hangs Lightning down at one point. She then gives him a "Drip Pan" just in case, much to his embarrassment.
 * As Lightning and Cruz are arguing about racing on the beach, Lightning exclaims that, "Life's a beach and then you drive!" Taken out of context, said passage sounds like "Life's a b**** and then you die," which Luigi and Guido, after a brief pause, appear to notice.
 * When Lightning and Cruz are locked inside the Thunder Hollow demolition derby, one of the rules Roscoe tells them is, "No cursin'! It's family night!"
 * During the demolition derby, one car says to another, "Get the __ out of my way!!", but he honks on the blank word, implying he may have meant a swearword.