Pixar is finally making its return to the big screen after the last three original animated films — “Soul,” “Luca,” and the Toronto-set “Turning Red” — were dumped on Disney+ instead of at least landing hybrid releases like Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and “Raya & The Last Dragon.” This summer will see “Toy Story” action figure Buzz Lightyear get his own solo spinoff, except with “Lightyear,” we’re seeing the character, not the toy. And it looks like after some heat Disney recently received for the bungling of their “Don’t Say Gay” messaging, they’ll be putting back a scene that directly links the pic to the LGBTQ+ community.
Variety is reporting a same-sex kiss featuring two women in an established relationship including a new character named Hawthorne, voiced by Uzo Aduba (“Orange Is The New Black”), has been restored after being previously removed by Disney. While it sounds like an inclusive move on the surface, it’s easy to see Disney cannily looking at the optics of everything and trying to get ahead of another PR disaster.
READ MORE: Pixar Employees Accuse Disney Of Cutting Same-Sex Affection From Films
The scene’s restoration comes after it was revealed that Disney had donated thousands of dollars to the politicians backing Florida’s hateful “Don’t Say Gay” bill and Pixar employees making it public that the studio has repeatedly removed or squashed LGBTQ+ scenes featuring same-sex affection.
The move certainly comes off as more studio damage control as every company statement, internal or public, only seems to make things worse. Perhaps, Disney CEO Bob Chapek will have a change of heart and try to stop the company from supporting problematic politicians hoping they’ll help their company/theme parks.
“Lightyear” is a sci-fi action-adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy. The film reveals how a young test pilot became the Space Ranger that we all know him to be today. “Lightyear” is directed by Angus MacLane, produced by Galyn Susman.
“Lightyear” will exclusively be released in theaters on June 17.
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