Report: Disney And Pixar’s Lightyear Film’s Same-Sex Couple “Pretty Front And Center” At CinemaCon

MAKING SPACE – In Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear,” Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans) and Alisha Hawthorne (voice of Uzo Aduba)—his long-time commander, fellow Space Ranger and trusted friend—are marooned on a hostile planet. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), the sci-fi action-adventure opens in U.S. theaters on June 17, 2022. © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

A new report claims that Pixar and Disney’s upcoming Lightyear film that is expected to feature a same-sex couple was promoted “pretty front and center” at a preview at CinemaCon.

HERO’S BEST FRIEND — Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is an all-new, original feature film that presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy—following the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure. But Buzz can’t do it alone—he shares space with a dutiful robot companion cat called Sox (voice of Peter Sohn). A hidden grab bag of gizmos in a cute kitty package, Sox is Buzz’s go-to friend and sidekick. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), the sci-fi action-adventure releases on June 17, 2022. © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

It was reported back in November by film scooper and critic Grace Randolph that the film would include “substantial LGBT representation.”

Randolph tweeted, “I know some of you are disheartened by the Eternals Rotten Tomatoes score, considering it features the 1st LGBT couple in the MCU but don’t worry, Disney is not giving up!”

She added, “I hear there is substantial LGBT representation in Lightyear as well! (Not Buzz, another character).”

Source: Grace Randolph Twitter

RELATED: Report: Disney To Include Gay Relationship In Lightyear Movie

That scoop was seemingly confirmed in March of this year when Variety reported that the film “does feature a significant female character, Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba), who is in a meaningful relationship with another woman.”

That report from Variety also detailed that Pixar and Disney had reportedly cut a kiss between the two character, but it was resorted after The Walt Disney Company decided to declare they were actively opposing Florida’s anti-grooming bill that banned instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation to children in kindergarten through third grade.

HERO’S BEST FRIEND — Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is an all-new, original feature film that presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans. But Buzz can’t do it alone—he shares space with a dutiful robot companion cat called Sox. A hidden grab bag of gizmos in a cute kitty package, Sox is Buzz’s go-to friend and sidekick. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), the sci-fi action-adventure releases on June 17, 2022. © 2021 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Now, a new report coming out CinemaCon, claims this same-sex couple was “pretty front and center” in Pixar and Disney’s presentation for the film. 

Puck writer and founding partner Matthew Belloni relayed, “Florida’s gonna love Disney’s LIGHTYEAR. The same-sex couple is pretty front and center in an extended sequence.”

Source: Matthew Belloni

Belloni wasn’t the only who discussed the film’s LGBT characters. YouTuber Robert Meyer Burnett tweeted, “Disney showed 30 minutes of LIGHTYEAR. If you told me I’d have tears streaming down my checks 25 minutes in, I’d have said you were nuts. But here we are.”

He added, “Also, best earned LGBTQ representation I’ve seen in awhile. First animated film in the IMAX ratio. A must-see in the format.”

Source: Robert Meyer Burnett

RELATED: Disney CEO Bob Chapek Claims Company Is “A Force For Inclusion” But Doesn’t Want It Become A “Political Football”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Lightyear will prominently feature a same sex couple. Before Disney CEO Bob Chapek pledged his fealty to the LGBTQ+ lobbying arm, he made it abundantly clear that he intends to change American culture through Disney’s programming with more LGBTQ+ content.

In an email sent to Disney employees, Chapek wrote, “I believe the best way for our company to bring about lasting change is through the inspiring content we produce, the welcoming culture we create, and the diverse community organizations we support.”

EVIL EMPEROR – Disney and Pixar’s “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 story, which follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure, features none other than Zurg—a seemingly invincible adversary of Buzz who would go on to inspire his own toy. Featuring the voices of Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Keke Palmer, Efren Ramirez, Peter Sohn, Dale Soules, Taika Waititi and Isiah Whitlock Jr., “Lightyear” releases June 17, 2022. © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

He then detailed, “There’s a reason content is at the top of this list. For nearly a century, our company’s stories have opened minds, inspired dreams, shown the world both as it is and how we wish it could be, and now more than ever before, represent the incredible diversity of our society.”

“We are telling important stories, raising voices, and I believe, changing hearts and minds,” he added.

TRIAL AND ERROR – After being marooned on a hostile planet, Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans) attempts multiple test flights in an effort to recreate the complicated fuel required to reach hyperspeed so he and the whole crew can return to Earth. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” opens in U.S. theaters on June 17, 2022. © 2021 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Further emphasizing this point he wrote, “Encanto, Black Panther, Pose, Reservation Dogs, Coco, Soul, Modern Family, Shang-Chi, Summer of Soul, Love, Victor. These and all of our diverse stories are our corporate statements and they are more powerful than any tweet or lobbying effort.”

He would later state, “Powerful content that changes hearts and minds only springs from inclusive cultures, which not only attract and retain the best and most diverse talent, but also give those employees the freedom to bring forth ideas that reflect their lives and experiences. We must work together to ensure Disney always remains such a place.”

Releasing June 17, 2022, Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is an all-new, original feature film that presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans. Featuring the voice of Chris Evans as Buzz, the sci-fi action-adventure is directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”). © 2021 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

RELATED: Watch The First Trailer For Disney’s Buzz Lightyear Origin Movie ‘Lightyear’ Right Here

Chapek’s comments were not just mere words as would be quickly revealed when journalist Christopher F. Rufo released footage of Disney’s Reimagine Tomorrow video conference call that saw Disney TVA executive producer admit the company has a not-at-all-secret gay agenda.

Raveneau stated, “In my little pocket of Proud Family Disney TVA, the showrunners were super welcoming. Meredith Roberts and our leadership over there has been so welcoming to my not-at-all-secret gay agenda.”

She further elaborated, “Maybe it was that way in the past, but I guess something must have happened in the last, they are turning it around, they’re going hard, and then like all that momentum that I felt, that sense of ‘I don’t have to be afraid to have these two characters kiss in the background.’ I was just, wherever I could, just basically adding queerness. If you see anything queer in the show — no one would stop me, and no one was trying to stop me.”

RELATED: Disney Renews “The Proud Family: Louder And Prouder” For Second Season, Show Is At Center Of Disney’s “Not-At-All-Secret Gay Agenda” Aimed At Children

In another video, Raveneau details she wants to use Disney programming to teach not only Gay 101 but Gay Advanced.

She said, “I’m still thinking I want to use my content to go deeper – talk about how non-monolithic the LGBTQ+ community as an asexual. As an asexual – I feel like a lot of people don’t what that is. I have to have a dissertation ready at any given time.”

“I want to add the pockets of the LGBTQ community that you don’t see. I want to get gay advanced. And then I realized, ‘Oh s***, we need to go back to Gay 101,’” she declared.

Disney production coordinator Allen March made it abundantly clear they were targeting kids with this type of content in order to influence them.

March stated, “All this content is going to kids who don’t know any of this. And even if they are in a household like Heath that has supportive parents they’re still getting all of this information from media of what is normal There’s a lot of power to that and it just needs to be acknowledged.”

RELATED: Lightyear Director Implies Tim Allen Was Never Considered To Voice Buzz Lightyear

The official description from Lightyear states, “The definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew.”

“As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda,” it concludes.

TO INFINITY… — Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is an all-new, original feature film that presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans. Prepare to blast off for a thrilling adventure that will take you “To infinity… and beyond.” Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), the sci-fi action-adventure releases on June 17, 2022. © 2021 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

The film stars Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as Alisha Hawthorne, Peter Sohn as Soz, Keke Palmer as Izzy Hawthorne, Taika Waititi as Mo Morrison, Dales Soule as Darby Steel, and James Brolin as Zurg. Joining them is Mary McDonald-Lewis as the computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr, as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy. 

The film is directed by Angus MacLane and produced by Galyn Susman. It is expected to arrive in theaters on June 17, 2022.

LIGHTYEAR, slated to open in theaters on June 17, 2022, 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. © 2021 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

What do you make of these reports from CinemaCon about Lightyear featuring a same-sex relationship prominently in their footage to promote the film?

NEXT: After Embracing Grooming Children Into LGBTQ+ Lifestyles, New Polls Show People Are Less Likely To Do Business With Disney As Well As A Growing Distrust For The Company

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