Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion, Lea DeLaria Join The Cast Of “Cars 3”; New Poster Revealed

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

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DISNEY·PIXAR’S “CARS 3” ROLLS OUT KEY CAST & CHARACTERS 

Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion, Lea DeLaria and Lewis Hamilton

Join Franchise Favorites on the Big Screen

Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” reveals key voice cast and characters, featuring award-winning stars. According to director Brian Fee, the roster includes both new and returning characters. “We’re introducing some fun and really appealing characters in ‘Cars 3,’” said Fee, “so we really wanted to find the right voices to help us breathe life into them. We hit a homerun with this group; I couldn’t be happier.”

Following are the newcomers and “Cars” franchise veterans who join the previously announced voice talent and characters: Owen Wilson as world champion racer Lightning McQueen, Cristela Alonzo as unconventional trainer Cruz Ramirez, and Armie Hammer as sleek next-gen racer Jackson Storm.

NEWCOMERS

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  • Kerry Washington (ABC’s “Scandal,” HBO’s “Confirmation”) lends her voice to Natalie Certain, a highly respected statistical analyst who knows her numbers. Book-smart and mathematically gifted, Certain may earn top marks in her ability to evaluate a racer’s stats, but she could be underestimating the importance of determination.

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  • Nathan Fillion (ABC’s “Castle,” ABC’s “Modern Family”) voices Sterling, a brilliant businesscar who runs Rust-eze Racing Center—one of the most successful elite training facilities in the country. The always dapper Sterling comes across as unassuming and laid back, but business is business, and Sterling is driven to ensure all of his investments pay off.

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  • Lea DeLaria (Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black”) provides the voice of Miss Fritter, a local legend at the Thunder Hollow Speedway demolition derby. Fritter’s formidable school-bus size is intimidating, but it’s her smoke stacks of doom, razor-sharp stop sign and crazy collection of her victims’ license plates that usually steers her opponents in the other direction.

LANE CHANGE

Three-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was called on to voice Hamilton, a fully loaded, built-in voice command assistant to high-tech trainer Cruz Ramirez. When Lightning McQueen takes his training off road, Cruz enlists Hamilton’s help to keep the struggling racer on track.

RETURNING FAVORITES

“Cars 3” also welcomes the gang from Radiator Springs back to the big screen, including Lightning McQueen’s best buddy Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy), and #95’s No. 1 fan Sally (voice of Bonnie Hunt). Friends supporting their hometown hero include Fillmore (voice of Lloyd Sherr), Sarge (voice of Paul Dooley), Lizzie (voice of Katherine Helmond), Ramon (voice of Cheech Marin), Sheriff (voice of Michael Wallis) and Flo (voice of Jenifer Lewis).

Loyal transporter Mack (voice of John Ratzenberger), big-hearted Italian Fiat 500 Luigi (voice of Tony Shalhoub) and charming little Italian forklift Guido (voice of Guido Quaroni) continue to support Lightning McQueen’s racing endeavors. World-renowned sports announcer Bob Cutlass (voice of Bob Costas) is still calling the races, and Chick Hicks (voice of Bob Peterson) is back—this time as a commentator on the Racing Sports Network. The lovable duo Dusty (voice of Ray Magliozzi) and Rusty (voice of Tom Magliozzi) return as Rust-eze’s chief proprietors—though they have big things in store for Lightning McQueen.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2”), produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short) and co-produced by Andrea Warren (“LAVA” short),

“Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

“Cars 3” Will Have A Big Presence At NASCAR This Season

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

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DISNEY·PIXAR’S “CARS 3” GEARS UP 

FOR A SEASON-LONG RIDE WITH NASCAR

“Cars 3” Director, Key Talent and Life-Sized Characters Roll into DAYTONA 500

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Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” is teaming up with NASCAR this year as crowd favorite Lightning McQueen prepares to return to the big screen June 16, 2017. Plans for the joint effort were shared by “Cars 3” director Brian Fee, Cristela Alonzo—the voice of the film’s elite trainer Cruz Ramirez—and NASCAR’S vice president of entertainment marketing & content development Zane Stoddard today at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida as fans gear up for the DAYTONA 500 (live Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. ET on FOX). Owen Wilson, the voice of Lightning McQueen, will serve as grand marshal for the 59th annual “Great American Race.”

NASCAR drivers Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suárez and Bubba Wallace will join NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty as voices in the upcoming film.

“‘Cars 3’ very much pays homage to stock car racing and its rich history,” said Fee. “Our story leans into the drama, emotion and excitement NASCAR fans find at every race.”

“We’re excited to take part in delivering the ‘Cars 3’ experience to our current and next generation of fans, at-track, in school, online and across the country,” added Stoddard. “In addition to all the engaging NASCAR ‘Cars 3’ elements industry-wide, we think our fans will really enjoy the roles of several young drivers in the film.”

According to Lylle Breier, senior vice president, worldwide marketing partnerships and special events for the Walt Disney Studios, the movie inspired an expanded program with NASCAR. “This collaboration marks the biggest between the ‘Cars’ franchise and NASCAR,” said Breier. “We’re looking forward to a fun and exciting season-long program with a host of activities.”

FAST FORWARD

Kicking off at the DAYTONA 500 with the premiere of a new on-air promo, the NASCAR-“Cars 3” collaboration continues throughout the entire race season.

  • The joint effort will include a variety of marketing initiatives, including digital and social cross promotional activities and sweepstakes.
  • Throughout the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, races will feature a “Cars 3” at-track presence via a wide array of promotions.
  • A co-branded merchandise program with Fanatics—the first of its kind for NASCAR and the “Cars” franchise—will also kick off at the DAYTONA 500 featuring the first film-related product available for fans to purchase. Product will be available at the Fanatics Trackside Superstore continuing at race tracks throughout the season, as well as online at the NASCAR.com Superstore.
  • NASCAR Acceleration Nation, the sport’s youth program, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be featured throughout the full duration of a “Cars 3” nationwide tour.
  • Later this year, NASCAR and Disney will release NASCAR Acceleration Nation and “Cars 3” co-branded in-classroom learning materials for elementary school students

THE VOICES OF NASCAR

The announcement included the introduction of NASCAR greats—from rookie drivers and legends to the voices behind the sport—tapped by Pixar Animation Studios to voice characters in the film.

  • CHASE ELLIOTT, 21, was named 2016’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year after finishing last season tenth in the driver standings. Elliott, who pilots the No. 24 car previously driven by four-time champion Jeff Gordon, lends his voice to second-generation Piston Cup racer CHASE RACELOTT in “Cars 3.” Racelott’s blend of skills, track smarts and top-of-the-line technology make this rookie a real contender.
  • RYAN BLANEY, a 23-year-old, third-generation racer, pilots the No. 21 Ford in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series. He voices third-generation racer RYAN “INSIDE” LANEY in “Cars 3.” Known for his racing passion and ability to have fun on the track, Laney races with talent, speed and precision.
  • DANIEL SUÁREZ, who just turned 25, pilots the No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Camry in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion can be heard in the film voicing DANNY SWERVEZ, a next-gen racer who’s ascending the Piston-Cup ladder against all odds. A mid-season replacement, Swervez is a quick learner who pushes himself to the limit.
  • BUBBA WALLACE, 23, won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway in 2013, becoming the first African American to win in one of the top three touring divisions since Wendell Scott in 1963. In “Cars 3,” Wallace voices next-gen stock car racer BUBBA WHEELHOUSE, a fast and tenacious young racer who knows how to win.
  • DARRELL WALTRIP, the NASCAR Hall of Fame racer-turned-NASCAR on FOX color analyst lends his voice to DARRELL CARTRIP. Cartrip, a veteran Piston-Cup announcer also heard in “Cars” and “Cars 2,” may think he’s seen it all—but this new season might still have a surprise or two in store.
  • SHANNON SPAKE, NASCAR on FOX correspondent and college football and basketball reporter for FOX Sports, voices on-the-track reporter SHANNON SPOKES in the film. Spokes weaves her way into the middle of the action for in-the-moment interviews, and she’s not afraid to ask racers the tough questions.
  • HOWARD AUGUSTINE “HUMPY” WHEELER JR., the legendary NASCAR promoter and former president and GM of Charlotte Motor Speedway, lends his voice to iconic Dinoco team owner TEX DINOCO in “Cars 3.” Tex, who met Lightning McQueen in “Cars,” would love nothing more than to see #95 decked out in Dinoco blue.
  • JEFF GORDON, four-time NASCAR champion, current NASCAR on FOX analyst, and story consultant for “Cars 3,” lends his voice to JEFF GORVETTE. Gorvette, whose number of top-ten finishes remains unmatched, may have hung up his racing tires—but his heart remains on the track. His ability to succeed at all levels turned hoods wherever he raced.
  • RICHARD “THE KING” PETTY, team owner and champion NASCAR driver with 200 wins, returns to the role of STRIP “THE KING” WEATHERS. From his humble beginnings on the Piston-Cup circuit to the glitzy sponsorship and media attention, the champion racer now serves as crew chief for his nephew, Cal Weathers.
  • KYLE PETTY, retired NASCAR driver and current NASCAR commentator on NBC, helps bring CAL WEATHERS to life in “Cars 3.” Weathers grew up around the track watching his uncle, Strip “The King” Weathers, tear it up. The veteran racer finds himself taking a step back to make room for the next generation on the track.
  • MIKE JOYis FOX Sports’ lead NASCAR announcer who will call his 38th DAYTONA 500 this Sunday. He lends his iconic voice to on-the-spot radio talk show host MIKE JOYRIDE in the movie. Joyride stays one step ahead in the racing news game by keeping a keen eye on where the racing season is headed.
  • RAY EVERNHAM, winner of three NASCAR championships as crew chief for Jeff Gordon and current consultant to Hendrick Motorsports, lends his voice to RAY REVERHAM, Jackson Storm’s crew chief, and an expert at training in the cutting edge technology and tactics being used by the next-gen racers. Evernham also serves as a story consultant for filmmakers.

LIFE-SIZED CHARACTERS

NASCAR fans can picture themselves with Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez—or at least life-sized cars designed to look like the big-screen characters. The Cruz Ramirez look-alike premiered in Daytona today, alongside #95—the Lightning McQueen car made its debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Comedian and actress Cristela Alonzo got to hang with her character look-alike at the event. “I am excited to be here as race fans get to see these two life-sized characters together for the first time,” said Alonzo.

The Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez look-alike cars are slated to make appearances at select races throughout the season as part of a “Cars 3” nationwide tour. Joining them on the tour will be a look-alike of Lightning McQueen’s on-track rival, Jackson Storm.

GOING GRAND

As was previously announced, Owen Wilson, the voice of Lightning McQueen, will serve as grand marshal of the DAYTONA 500 this Sunday, Feb. 26. Wilson has provided the voice of the red car in all of the “Cars” films.

VIDEO: Disney PIXAR Releases A New Extended Look At “Cars 3”

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

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Disney has just released an extended look at “Cars 3” that recently aired during the Daytona 500.

I am definitely getting a Rocky vibe from this movie.

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  • Lightning! Lightning! Lightning! Sounds just like Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!
  • I’m guessing Lightning goes up against an an opponent that he cant beat. Similar to Clubber Lang or Ivan Drago.
  • He becomes down and out. Similar to all Rocky movies.
  • Reflects on the words of his mentor/trainer, Doc Hudson. Similar to Mickey.
  • Training montage. Opponent uses advanced technology to train, Lightning trains outdoors. Similar to Rocky IV and Rocky running on the beach in Rocky III.
  • Lightning comes back to win against insurmountable odds. Like most Rocky movies.
  • Or Lightning can be training a new racer, like Rocky V. Just hope that is the only similarity with Rocky V.

“Cars 3 opens June 16th.

Source: Disney*Pixar

 

PIXAR’s New Short “Lou” Will Open for Cars 3

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

Audiences across the world have learned that Pixar’s latest short, Lou, will be the lead for Cars 3 which debuts in theaters June 16th.  Lou is the debut film for director Dave Mullins whose animating credits include Finding Nemo, Up, and the Cars franchise.
Lou keeping an ever watchful eye out

Photo: Disney/Pixar

Drawing emotions from his childhood, Mullins crafted the six-minute short to reflect on a time from his own life.  Growing up, he moved frequently leaving him without a sense of belonging at various points.  That trait of feeling on the outside is something both main characters deal with in the film. Produced by Dana Murray, Lou tackles the everyday subject of bullying by reaching back into the well for a tried and true delivery system: toys.

Lou centers around a watchful toy monster whose convictions seem to align with a teacher or watchful protector.  After watching the children interact on the playground and witnessing one child in particular torment his fellow classmates; the title character takes it upon himself to help not only return the items JJ has taken for himself but also to teach him a lesson or two along the way.

The film is dedicated to Mullins’ father who passed away during the film’s early development.  Several nods to his father appear in the film including a skateboard and football that live with Lou in his box.

Lou will be the 17th Pixar short to premier before a theatrical release.  Cars 3 is the first of two Pixar films to be released in 2017.  Coco is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2017 and is directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina.  This year marks just the second time Pixar will release two feature films in one year.  The first came when Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur both debuted in 2015.

VIDEO, PHOTOS: In-Depth Looks at the New Characters and Story for Cars 3

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

From Entertainment Weekly:

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It’s mobile millennials vs. mid-size cars with midlife crises in Disney-Pixar’s next movie, Cars 3, the second sequel in the billion-dollar franchise, skidding into theaters this June.

If you caught that cryptically combustible teaser trailer back in November, you’ll know that a major shake-up is in store for pro racer Lightning McQueen (voiced once more by Owen Wilson). In round three, a disastrous brush with mortality spurs the once-great athlete to reexamine his tenure on the track.

“McQueen is not the young hotshot anymore, the kid he was back then in Cars 1,” says first-time Pixar director Brian Fee, a storyboard artist on the first two Cars films and the man entrusted by story guru/Cars whisperer John Lasseter to take the wheel. “He’s in the middle of his life, and as an athlete, that’s getting up there. You have your whole life ahead of you, yet your career is starting to show its age. He’s looking in the mirror and realizing, ‘I’m 40 years old,’ and dealing with the fact that the thing that you love more than anything else, you might not be able to do forever.”

It doesn’t help that a new, faster generation of racers is eager to leave the rehabilitating Lightning in the dusty past. Armie Hammer joins the Cars voice family as the most vocal head of this new wave of tech-savvy drivers — meet the villainous Jackson Storm:

Fee explains, “Jackson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Everything comes easy to him, and everything about him says he’s faster, so much so that we’ve designed him so that even when he’s standing next to McQueen, McQueen looks old.” Technologically, he’s lightyears ahead of Lightning, a legitimate reflection of the actual years that have passed in the real world since our introduction to the first Cars in 2006. After more than a decade, shiny new rival roadster Jackson represents the peak of real-time innovation. (P.S. No, there’s technically no Uber in Cars 3, because, as Fee says with a chuckle, “I would like to see a car drive inside another car and have them take them somewhere.”)

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From an ideological standpoint, Jackson embodies the extreme entitlement that has come to plague millennial descriptions. “He thinks the world is his. He’s taking over. He’s owed it,” says Fee. “In a very broad term, I think of old football players with those little leather skull caps, and you think of football players now with all their armor, hitting so hard. It’s not the same game. What they did was not anything like what we do now. And that’s Jackson: He thinks the future of racing and the high-tech ways they train and what they can do means they’re taking the sport to a new level, and the older guys had their day, and it’s done, and they have no place in the future of racing.”

Yet there is a glimmer of hope for both the redemption of twentysomething honor and Lighting himself: New trainer Cruz Ramirez, voiced by Cristela Alonzo.

Cruz may be on Jackson’s side of the age gap, but she’s on Lightning’s side of the conflict. As a lifelong fan of McQueen, she’s optimistic, sunny, fierce, and friendly — and now, she’s his new, younger coach, coming to Lightning’s aid with stars in her eyes when he shows up at the Rust-eze Racing Center. “Whereas others like Jackson would look at McQueen and dump him, Cruz isn’t like that at all. She’s the most optimistic person in the world and wants to do anything to help,” says Fee, who was sold on Alonzo’s voice partly from her short-lived ABC series but primarily from her stand-up comedy specials. (For that matter, Hammer landed the role thanks to his pompous turn in The Social Network.)

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Lasseter calls Cars 3 “very emotional,” and Fee says it’s “the most human” film of the franchise, considering the inherent maturity of Lightning’s reconciliation with age in a changing world. If it sounds as if this tale of mortality also has a sense of franchise finality to it (akin to Toy Story 3, though it’s no longer the finale), that’s still being kept under the hood; Fee is coy about whether Cars 3 marks the end of Lightning’s personal trilogy onscreen. “Where the franchise goes from here, I have no idea what may be down the road, but I can tell you that for Lightning McQueen, as a character, I think by the end of the movie it’s safe to say that this is only the beginning for him.”

Here’s your first look at the new, souped-up, ready-to-rev Lightning:

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Cars 3 hits theaters June 16. Vroom vroom.

A Look at Every Movie Disney is Releasing in 2017

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

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Walt Disney Studios has released it’s complete movie slate for 2017. There are definitely a lot of fun and exciting movies to look forward to!

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Here are some high quality images of the above upcoming movies:

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Belle (Emma Watson) comes to realize that underneath the hideous exterior of the Beast (Dan Stevens) there is the kind heart of a Prince in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, a live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic directed by Bill Condon. © 2016 Disney Enterprises inc. All Rights Reserved.

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BORN IN CHINA

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Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2..L to R: Rocket (Voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Voiced by Vin Diesel)..Ph: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2017

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“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon…©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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REAR VIEW — The legendary #95 may be leading the pack, but the high-tech Next Gen racers are closing in fast. Directed by Brian Fee and produced by Kevin Reher, “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017. ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

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Thor: Ragnarok – (L-R) Director Taika Waititi and Chris Hemsworth. Photo by: Jasin Boland. ©2016 Marvel Studios.

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Progression Image 3 of 3: Final Frame..ASPIRING MUSICIAN — In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like the celebrated Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). But when he strums his idol’s guitar, he sets off a mysterious chain of events. Directed by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina and produced by Darla K. Anderson, “Coco” opens in theaters Nov. 22, 2017.

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VIDEO: First Teaser Released For “Cars 3”; “Cars” Is Going To A Very Dark Place

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

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I did not see this one coming. I like it! Pixar has just released a trailer for “Cars 3” and it says right in the tag line, “From This Moment, Everything Will Change”. It looks like it is going dark, but probably not that dark. It’s Cars. I really hope they go with this animation because it looks like a huge leap from what we have seen in the past.

“Cars 3” is in U.S. Theaters Summer 2017.

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Source: Disney*Pixar

First Poster For “Cars 3” Shows Lightning McQueen Heading For A Big Fall

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

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Could this be the end for Lightning McQueen? The recent teaser trailer and this poster sure is hinting at it.

Many fans were not happy with the direction that Pixar took with “Cars 2” in which they had the secondary character, Mater, become the lead in the sequel to the original. Regardless of what people thought, “Cars 2” made a decent amount of money with a global haul of $562 million.

So what is Pixar up to? Is “Car’s 3” headed in a dark direction? It wouldn’t be the first time Pixar tugged at our heart strings. Remember how heart breaking it was to see Carl at Ellie’s funeral in “Up’?

Yahoo! Movie hints at what it could be:

Disney Animation chief John Lasseter told Entertainment Weekly in June that Cars 3 will feature a “very emotional story” that finds McQueen remembering his late mentor Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), whose own championship racing career was untracked by a crippling accident. Fan favorite Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) and McQueen’s main squeeze Sally (Bonnie Hunt) are returning, while the film will also introduce new characters named Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm, though casting on those voice roles has yet to be announced.

So it sounds like Lightning will be OK but like the tag line says, “Everything will change.” Maybe Lightning McQueen makes it out of the wreck and takes on the role of trainer, similar with happened in the “Rocky” series with “Creed”. That seems like a reasonable assumption. After the crash in Lightning’s last race, he is no longer able to participate in competitive racing. But somewhere a long the way, a young car (could be Jackson Storm) comes into Lightning’s life and he sees potential in the up and coming racer and helps train him to be the next winner of The Piston Cup. But that’s just a guess.

What about you? Any ideas?

Source: Yahoo! Movies