Cars 2

Next week Cars 2 is released onto DVD and Blu-ray and is tipped to be a hit in the chart. In the film, race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and tow truck Mater head to Japan and Europe to compete in the World Grand Prix, but Mater becomes sidetracked with international espionage. Prior to it’s release Gateway 97.8 spoke to Owen Wilson, the voice of main character Lightning McQueen, about his thoughts on the film.

 

How excited were you to voice Lightning McQueen again in “Cars 2”?
I was very excited to return to Lightning McQueen and the world of “Cars” because it felt like I was working on a completely different movie. “Cars 2” is a fun international adventure that takes place in the exciting world of espionage and intrigue. It’s very different from the first movie and it’s great to see these characters tackling a whole new world outside of Radiator Springs.

How much fun is it to work in animation?
It’s great fun because you get to use your own imagination, just like a little kid does. On a live-action movie, you have to go through wardrobe, hair and makeup and then you walk onto set. Animation is very pure. You go into a recording studio and the scene is explained to you, but there are no props and no actors to work alongside. It’s great fun to start seeing everything in your head.

What kind of a driver are you?
I think I’m a careful driver. I don’t get speeding tickets and I don’t race around. I usually drive a car that beeps when you put it in reverse, so I guess it’s very pedestrian friendly.

Are you a racecar enthusiast?
I really enjoy watching car races, and it’s interesting that “Cars 2” features a variety of race contests. I think there’s more of an interest in oval track racing here in the United States, like stock car and Indy racing. Overseas, they seem more interested in the grand prix, which consists of circuit racing and road racing. I think it’s great that we’ve combined both styles of car racing for the World Grand Prix in the movie.

In the original “Cars” movie, you got to work with Paul Newman. How was that experience?
I got to work with Paul Newman for one day during the making of the first “Cars” movie and I’ll never forget it. We went to New York together to record for the film and it was great fun. He was so knowledgeable about racing that he wasn’t afraid to raise points and question things in the story. In fact, John Lasseter took to heart a lot of what he was saying. He went back and reworked the script based on an issue that Paul raised.

CARS 2 PREMIERES ON DISNEY CINEMAGIC AT 4PM ON 25TH MARCH
CARS 2 IS OUT NOW ON BLU-RAY AND DVD
DISNEY CARS AUGMENTED REALITY BOOK IS OUT NOW (CARLTON BOOKS)
©2012 Disney/Pixar