Disney is developing a Cars series, Cars: Lightning Racers, with original actors returning

Disney and Pixar are launching a new installment in the Cars franchise.

Disney Jr. will debut Cars: Lightning Racers in 2027, a new series set in the world of Cars. The series will incorporate returning original characters and actors, providing new stories, featuring some established faces.

Disney Jr. says that the objective is to entertain children and introduce another generation to the world of Cars. The original cast, including Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen and Larry the Cable Guy as Mater, will be returning.

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Series Synopsis: What is Cars: Lightning Racers about?

Cars: Lightning Racers is an all-new animated series being developed by Disney Television Animation in association with Pixar. It will follow the adventures of Lightning McQueen, the legendary red race car, as he embarks on fresh adventures in Radiator Springs.

As per Disney Jr.'s official release, the series will introduce new characters along with classic favorites. It is being designed to appeal to kids, particularly preschoolers, while maintaining the storytelling structure of previous Cars productions.

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The original cast is coming back

One of the biggest attractions for the series is the return of the original voice cast. Deadline and Variety report that Owen Wilson is back as Lightning McQueen, and Larry the Cable Guy is back as Mater. Tony Shalhoub will be playing Luigi, Cheech Marin will be Ramone, Bob Peterson will be back as Chick Hicks, and John Ratzenberger will be Mack.

The actors involved have been at the forefront of the franchise since the initial Cars film. The continuity in casting is evidenced by Disney Jr. as well as media sources, solidifying the show's continuity for the current fans.

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Adding new characters

The new show is more than just the old favorites. Disney Jr. says Cars: Lightning Racers introduces new faces to Radiator Springs: Pipes, a thrill-seeking drag racer, and Miles, a mud-crazed monster truck.

Leah Lewis of Elemental and Yuri Lowenthal of Marvel Rivals will voice the newcomers. Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph is also on board as Ms. Blinker, a new character who has been introduced for the series.

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Production and creative leads

Cars: Lightning Racers is produced by Disney Television Animation with creative participation from Pixar. Travis Braun and Frank Montagna are the executive producers, and Dana Stafield is the story editor, with Nathan Chew as supervising director. The production team of the series hopes to merge the heritage of the past Cars films with new stories based on a fresh perspective for the young audience.

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Release details and platform

Disney Jr. states that the show will initially premiere on Disney Jr. in 2027, followed by its release on Disney+ for streaming audiences. The announcement reflects Disney's intention to reach traditional TV and streaming audiences. Exact release date is yet to be revealed.

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Return to Radiator Springs

Cars: Lightning Racers takes place in the familiar setting of Radiator Springs, staying close to its roots from the original trilogy. The series maintains locations and themes familiar to fans: racing, friendship, and new beginnings. This strategy is intended to welcome back old fans as well as attract new young audiences.

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No overlap with past series

Although Cars: Lightning Racers is the newest installment in the Cars franchise, it is an independent show, not affiliated with Cars on the Road or previous features. It introduces familiar characters but new stories and supporting cast, being careful not to repeat by concentrating on fresh storylines.

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Stay tuned for more updates!