Disney Details on Cars 2, Toy Story 3, Rapunzel

Disney’s D23 Expo gets underway today in Anaheim featuring all things Mouse House for three straight days.  This year is of special interest because of the recent acquisition of Marvel, plus possible details on Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Tron Legacy, and of course more family-friendly cartoons.

The official plot synopsis for Cars 2 is available from Empire Magazine: The story sees Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), his pit team and new pit boss Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) head around the world for the Race of Champions, to take place in five different countries and involve the champions of different disciplines like Formula One and rally driving. The races will take place in Tokyo, Germany, Italy, Paris (a 24-hour race), and a “thrilling climax” in London.

Mater will be more heavily involved in the plot this time.  He gets wrapped up in a “Hitchcockian” case of mistaken identity, saves the life of a British secret agent called Finn McMissile (an Aston Martin), and becomes embroiled in a huge spy thriller.  Ratatouille producer Brad Lewis is making his directorial debut for a summer 2011 release.

Cars is my least favorite of the Pixar filmography, so I’m not all that excited about a return to the world where vehicles act like people, especially if more of the focus is on the dopey sidekick Mater.  We’ll see though, I’ve learned to put my faith in Pixar and everything will turn out fine.

As for Toy Story 3, the plot will pick up with an adult Andy packing his things for college.  He sets aside Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), but bags the rest of the toys for storage.  His mother mistakes it for trash so Buzz and friends are carried out to the curb.  Another clip shown to Empire in London revealed the toys wind up at a day care center where they’re abused by children and plan an escape.  Former James Bond Timothy Dalton has joined the voice cast as “Mr. Pricklepants, a hedgehog toy with thespian tendencies.”

Michael Keaton has already been confirmed as a Ken doll.

Then there’s the purely Disney (non-Pixar) production of Rapunzel twisting the fairy tale into a 3-D animated musical.  THR reports Mandy Moore will voice the title character.  NBC’s “Chuck” Zachary Levi has been cast as the voice of the dashing bandit who finds himself on the road with the rebellious, teenage hair apparent.  Ew, hair puns.  This one’s planned for December 2010.