More on Pixar's next movie Cars

an enjoyable read... this is the last "true" pixar film so enjoy...

starts June 9th... trailers at the bottom...

John Lbutteter is back in the driverÕs seat. After seven years of helping other directors transform their ideas into animated blockbusters as PixarÕs head of creative, the man behind Toy Story and A BugÕs Life is returning in June with Cars, a sweet adventure about a hot rod named Lightning McQueen that learns life is not about the destination but the journey.

Personal obsessions have always driven PixarÕs success, so itÕs no surprise that Lbutteter chose this vehicle. HeÕs a car aficionado who spent much of his childhood at the Chevrolet dealership where his dad worked and regularly attends the annual North American International Auto Show. Among the 10 vehicles in his collection are rarities like a 1952 Jaguar XK120 and a KelloggÕs Hendrick Motorsports Monte Carlo pace car. HereÕs how LbutteterÕs -pbuttion was engineered for the big screen.

to draw inspiration for the movieÕs look and feel. Touring in four Cadillacs, the group snapped photos, met locals, and even found the tow truck that became the character Mater (above). The animators also studied hundreds of pictures of private auto collections, met with car designers at the Detroit Auto Show, and attended several Nascar races. Computer-Controlled Manufacturing

Wanting to avoid characters that look like they rolled off an animation buttembly line, Lbutteter pushed his crew to create vehicles with Òtruth in material.Ó As producer Darla Anderson explains, ÒHe didnÕt want the cars to be too squashy or stretchy they had to have the rigidity and weight of a real car.Ó PixarÕs new physics apps can simulate the effects of gravity and acceleration on a carÕs chbuttis, shocks, wheels, and antenna, and can even control tire pressure and response to varying road conditions.

Loaded With Extras

The number 95 is an homage to the year Toy Story was released. It replaced 57, the year Lbutteter was born.

Asked to mimic the sound of a lightning bolt, actor Owen Wilson coined the carÕs trademark exclamation kachow!

Sponsors include Nitroade, No Stall, and our fave, Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment, a Preparation H for cars.

McQueenÕs ÒLightyearÓ tires are a shout-out to Toy StoryÕs Buzz Lightyear.