The Cars franchise has been one of the biggest successes for Pixar, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and producing numerous spinoffs, including short films, video games, and the Planes movie franchise. The franchise’s lead character, Lightning McQueen, has become a beloved character for fans worldwide. However, the release of Cars 4 is still up in the air. In this post, we’ll take a look at everything we know about the possible release of Cars 4.
Cars 4 Isn’t In Pixar’s Announced Plans
It looks as though Pixar’s Cars 4 will remain in limbo for the time being, with Inside Out 2 officially confirmed to be in production and set for release on June 14th, 2024. With Toy Story 4, Pixar shifted its focus toward developing original projects instead of sequels. It appears that producer Mark Nielsen is content with how Cars 3 concluded Lightning McQueen’s story arc, explained by the response to the last movie when compared to its predecessors. There are no concrete plans right now to do a fourth Cars film–but for now it’s still possible.
What We Know About The Possible Lightning McQueen Sequel
Producers Kevin Reher and Andrea Warren have expressed interest in expanding the Cars franchise and working on a possible sequel. The two were quoted saying, “If we can come up with an intriguing story, it’s worth investing in yet another movie. We love the characters as much as fans do.” Owen Wilson, who voices Lightning McQueen, has also proposed his own idea for a radical transformation of the racing series: “Maybe they could switch it up and make a thriller. That could be something pretty cool.” Despite their enthusiasm, information regarding Cars 4 continues to remain uncertain.
Cars Merchandising
When considering whether there will be a Cars 4 movie, a key piece of information to remember is not just that Cars movies have fans, it’s that the merchandising power of the franchise is incredible. The Pixar movie series ranks high, with Cars toys and merchandise profits rivalling the likes of Star Wars and Disney Princesses. Back in 2012, Forbes listed Cars as raking in an enormous $1.05 billion. However, that pulling power might not be quite as significant several years after Cars 3, which made the Cars On The Road spin-off series the perfect compromise.
Cars On The Road
The Pixar studio Disney+ show, Cars On The Road, appeals to fans who want more Lightning McQueen content without needing to dedicate another movie project to these characters. If the series does well, Pixar might reevaluate their stance on Cars 4. However, Cars On The Road will need to prove there’s a new audience available for the franchise if there is ever going to be a Cars 4 coming out.
No News on Cars 4
Despite the Cars franchise’s success and its loyal fanbase, there’s been no news about Cars 4 since the release of Cars 3 over half a decade ago. The comments from Actor Owen Wilson during the press tour for Cars 3, where he confirmed he’d be up for another entry, is still the most tangible news. At least with the Disney+ spinoffs and shorts, the Cars franchise can continue in some capacity, even if Cars 4 doesn’t happen. While it’s still possible that Pixar will release Cars 4 in the future, it is looking like it won’t be happening anytime soon.
