Disney Pixar have revealed three more characters from their new movie, Cars 2. Today we get to meet John Lassitire, Miles Axlerod (Eddie Izzard) and Nigel Gearsley. You may notice the former name is similar to that of Disney’s Creative Director, John Lasseter and that is for a very specific reason! The producers of Cars 2 surprised the head honcho with a character dedicated to him as Pixar turns 25 this year and I feel it rather apt! Bravo Pixar!
According to AP where I found the image, Lasseter had no idea under they revealed the surprise to him:
“It was news to me. I did not know about that, so I was a little surprised. I ended up voicing this character. It was just one line, but now I have a Cars character. I’m very excited about that. He’s a good ol’ American pick-up truck, which I think is very appropriate for John Lassetire.”
You can keep track of all the other character reveals that we’ve had already by clicking here.
Synopsis: T Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.
Cars 2 is released in the UK 22nd July, is directed by John Lasseter and has a voice cast which includes Tony Shalhoub, John Ratzenberger, Owen Wilson, Cheech Marin, Larry The Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Caine and Michael Keaton.
Also, if you haven’t already voted for your favourite Pixar character, click here to do so!
John Lassertire (voice of John Lasseter)
Everyone knows that high-profile races are fueled by the cars behind the racecars. Joining the ranks of the World Grand Prix is John Lassetire, a pit crew chief voiced by the film’s director. John Lasseter was encouraged by his production team to voice the character as a fun surprise as Pixar Animation Studios celebrates 25 years with its 12th animated feature.
Miles Axlerod (voice of Eddie Izzard)
Sir Miles Axlerod is a former oil baron who has sold off his fortune, converted himself into an electric vehicle and has devoted his life to finding the renewable, clean-burning energy source of the future—ultimately discovering what he believes is the fuel everyone should be using. Axlerod is also the car behind the World Grand Prix, a three-country race he created that attracts the world’s top athletes—but it’s really an excuse to show off his new wonder-fuel, Allinol.
Nigel Gearsley
Nigel Gearsley from Warwickshire, England, is an Aston Martin DB9R racer bearing #9. He got his start racing the Speed Hill Climb—a unique, completely uphill race through the Aston Hill Mountain Area that his family has run for generations. Nigel’s racing career has been anything but an uphill challenge, as he’s won nearly every start in the past few years on the Grand Touring Sports Car circuit, including a string of podiums at Nurburgring and Le Mans. His cool British refinement makes him an imposing presence on the World Grand Prix courses.
