Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Animation Movies

The Buzz Lightyear movie's director explains how it connects to the Toy Story universe

News
By Jack Shepherd published 28 October 2021

And the explanation is more confusing than the multiverse...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Buzz in Lightyear
(Image credit: Pixar/Disney)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Buzz Lightyear’s standalone movie has a new trailer – and everyone's confused. How, exactly, does Lightyear connect to the Toy Story universe? Presumably, this is the origins story of the space ranger that the toy is based on, right? But then, how come the Earth in Toy Story is not very technologically advanced, yet the one in the Lightyear movie has Buzz slingshotting around the sun? 

Director Angus MacLane has an answer. Kinda. It's complicated.

"'Set in the world of Toy Story' is kind of weird," he told Entertainment Weekly. "Another way to get at it, it's a straightforward sci-fi action film about the Buzz Lightyear character. In the Toy Story universe, it would be like a movie that maybe Andy would have seen, that would have made him want a Buzz Lightyear figure."

You may like
  • Buzz and Woody looking shocked as they confront the Lilypad device Buzz, Woody, Jesse and the gang are in trouble as big tech invades the toy room in Toy Story 5
  • Buzz Lightyear and Woody in Toy Story 5 Ahead of Toy Story 5, Hoppers director says Pixar knows "originals have to exist" and "you can't keep making sequels"
  • Mabel and King George in Pixar's Hoppers Hoppers director Daniel Chong says his "chaotic, unhinged" Pixar movie took inspiration from Avatar and Studio Ghibli

"The movie doesn't end and then you see Andy eating popcorn," the filmmaker added. "This is its own thing… This is standalone. It's the Buzz Lightyear movie. It's that character but as the space ranger, not as the toy."

Essentially, it sounds like Lightyear could be seen as a movie within the Toy Story universe that the Buzz Lightyear action figure is based on. Confusingly, though, Chris Evans – who voices this incarnation of Buzz, taking over from Tim Allen – previously said that the Buzz in Lightyear is the origins story of the human Buzz.

"Just to be clear, this isn’t Buzz Lightyear the toy," he tweeted. "This is the origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear that the toy is based on."

Now that the trailer's out, the internet has decided: this isn't very clear, Chris! But, let's do our best: Lightyear is a fictional movie in the Toy Story universe that tells the story of an imagined space ranger who's potentially partly based on a real in-universe man called Buzz. Maybe? We need another tweet from Evans to clear this one all up – or maybe just confuse things further.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Whatever the case, we'll find out more when Lightyear rockets into cinemas on June 17, 2022. In the meantime, check out our guide to new Disney movies.

Jack Shepherd
Jack Shepherd
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.

Read more
Buzz and Woody looking shocked as they confront the Lilypad device
Animated Movies Buzz, Woody, Jesse and the gang are in trouble as big tech invades the toy room in Toy Story 5
 
 
Buzz Lightyear and Woody in Toy Story 5
Animated Movies Ahead of Toy Story 5, Hoppers director says Pixar knows "originals have to exist" and "you can't keep making sequels"
 
 
Mabel and King George in Pixar's Hoppers
Animated Movies Hoppers director Daniel Chong says his "chaotic, unhinged" Pixar movie took inspiration from Avatar and Studio Ghibli
 
 
Jessie and Bullseye in Toy Story 5
Animated Movies Toy Story 5 actors says to "bring tissues" when going to see the new animated sequel, and now we're scared
 
 
Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary
Sci-Fi Movies Lord and Miller explain how their work on the Spider-Verse movies inspired their new sci-fi film Project Hail Mary
 
 
Din Djarin and Grogu in The Mandalorian & Grogu
Star Wars Movies The Mandalorian and Grogu director confirms Din Djarin is back in "the same model of ship"
 
 
Latest in Animation Movies
Bee Wario pops a trick off Crown City Bridge in Mario Kart World
Animated Movies Shigeru Miyamoto doesn't want dirty jokes in his Mario movies, but won't rule out a future appearance from Wario
 
 
Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Animated Movies A new Nintendo animated movie is seemingly releasing in 2028, and signs point to the rumored Donkey Kong spin-off
 
 
Bloodborne screenshot of The Hunter player-character with their back to us, wielding a bladed in their right hand and an a ranged weapon in their left
Animated Movies Jacksepticeye isn't planning on asking Markiplier for tips on the Bloodborne movie after Iron Lung success
 
 
Bloodborne
Animated Movies Bloodborne movie producer Jacksepticeye wants to "celebrate a win" for the beloved action RPG after so many Ls
 
 
Bloodborne
Animated Movies Jacksepticeye's Bloodborne movie producer role is about ensuring the "tone, vibe, and atmosphere" remains intact
 
 
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Animated Movies Leaked copies of The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender are being so widely viewed that it's currently in Letterboxd's popular this week list
 
 
Latest in News
Antony Starr as Homelander  in The Boys season 5 episode 7 trailer
Superhero Shows The Boys actor Antony Starr responds to fan criticism ahead of the series finale: "Life is messy"
 
 
Peter Griffin from Family Guy in Fortnite
Fortnite Fortnite's most embarrassing cause of death has been removed, but Epic Games has managed to balance it shockingly well
 
 
Gen V
Superhero Shows Gen V star bids farewell to her character, but The Boys showrunner suggests it's not the end for her
 
 
Manny Jacinto as Qimir in The Acolyte
Star Wars TV Shows A major character from The Acolyte may have been "complicit" in return of the Sith, new Star Wars book reveals
 
 
The Lord of the Rings
MMO Games The Lord of the Rings MMO might reportedly be dead, but Amazon is "working closely" with Middle-earth on a new game
 
 
A car with a slanted bumped in Forza Horizon 6 idles in a Tokyo street
Racing Games Forza Horizon 6 isn't even out yet, but players are already modding it on PC
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Forza Horizon 6 Treasure Car porsche 959 driving down wet road
    1
    How to find all Forza Horizon 6 Treasure Cars
  2. 2
    Amiibo support is coming to Star Fox, and these three figures will unlock your exclusive in-game goodies
  3. 3
    Gen V star bids farewell to her character, but The Boys showrunner suggests it's not the end for her
  4. 4
    The Boys actor Antony Starr responds to fan criticism ahead of the series finale: "Life is messy"
  5. 5
    The Krasivoe Cube Dock can transform your Switch 2 dock into the iconic GameCube, but it'll cost you

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...