Pixar's Cars franchise gears up for a comeback, possibly with Cars 4 and more spinoffs.

Jay Ward, creative director of the Cars franchise at Pixar Animation Studios, hinted at the development of the much-anticipated sequel to 2017's Cars 3. Speaking at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 via The Lake Brake Show on YouTube, Ward disclosed that several Cars projects are in the works. Ward played pivotal roles as a character manager, art coordinator, and additional voice contributor in both Cars and Cars 3. Starting his Pixar career in late 1998 with Monsters, Inc., Ward is acknowledged as the "guardian" of the Cars franchise due to his profound knowledge and passion for automobiles.

Ward shared insights into the future of Cars, stating, "There are more Cars things brewing, I can’t say much more yet. Cars has got a life that will keep going. I am working on some real fun projects right now that you will see in a couple of years. It takes us a while to make them."

Why We Need A Sequel To Cars 3

The return of Cars to the big screen has been a topic of speculation since 2017 when producer Kevin Reher hinted at the possibility of a fourth main-series feature film. Addressing the challenges of creating a sequel, Reher explained to CinemaBlend, "As long as there’s a good story to tell, it’s worth investing. We do love these characters, we love them as much as the public does." Cars 3 concluded with Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, passing the torch to a younger and fiercer car, mirroring the classic narrative of a seasoned athlete facing off against new talent. Cars 4 may see Lightning McQueen in a mentorship role, guiding and competing against his former protégé Cruz Ramirez voiced by Cristela Alonzo.

The Cars franchise debuted in 2006 with subsequent sequels being released in 2011 and 2017, with a spin-off titled Planes hitting theaters in 2013 and receiving its own sequel in 2014. The Cars series has also spawned four stand-alone short films and a series of animated shorts titled Cars Toons aired on Disney Channel, Toon Disney, and ABC Family from 2008 to 2014. The latest addition to the franchise, Cars on the Road, premiered on Disney+ in 2022 with a series of eight-minute shorts.

Pixar's decision to continue revving up the engines of the Cars franchise may come as a surprise to some, as parent company Disney's CEO Bob Iger recently weighed in on his thoughts on the studio making too many sequels.

Cars 3 is currently streaming on Disney+.

Source: YouTube