Lightyear’s final post-credits scene and a possible sequel

The new Pixar film light year is an oddity for the studio. It’s a connection to the Toy Story film series, although it’s not set in the same universe or continuity and doesn’t feature characters who are toys. (No, Sox the robot cat doesn’t count as a toy, although of course you can are already buying toy versions of Sox.) The film is intended as adult science fiction rather than a children’s film, although it is child-safe and full of humor alongside the serious themes of loss, grief and survival. Perhaps the strangest thing about it is that it’s packed with opportunities for the kind of big emotions that are Pixar’s commodity, but it doesn’t lean in the way longtime Pixar fans would expect.

But another oddity about it is that it seems perfectly primed to pull off any number of sequels or spin-offs, in a way that’s not typical of Pixar films. That’s coming more from the end of the film than the post-credits teasers, but a moment after the credits rolls seems like the kind of “sequel to come” announcement that’s far more typical of other film studios, whether in animation work or live action.

[Ed. note: Major spoilers ahead for Lightyear, including end spoilers.]

Does Lightyear have a post-credits scene?

Image: Pixar Animation Studios

You know it, otherwise we wouldn’t be publishing this article. Don’t get us wrong: “Does this movie have a post-credits scene?” pieces (along with “End of movie explained” summarizes) are so insanely popular and well attended that we wouldn’t be surprised if they were are

But that’s not true in this case. light year Has three Post-credits scenes – two quick gags and then the shortest possible teaser for the future. The final teaser is coming Everyone the way at the end, even after the well-known animated Pixar logo with the bouncing baby lamp, so don’t be tempted to head to the door before it’s all over.

The first two credits scenes are just short, light callback jokes: In a mid-credits scene, Buzz Lightyear’s new supervisor, Commander Burnside (Isiah Whitlock Jr.), sits at his desk while behind him stands one of the giant alien bug creatures involved in this attack Buzz and friends throughout the film is zapped by their colony’s massive new defense system, a dome of lasers. Burnside, who’s talked about the laser shield a few times in earlier scenes, just giggles and repeats “laser shield!” to himself, clearly feeling vindicated.

And after the credits roll, the film returns to the angular robot Deric (or as his chassis says, “ERIC” with a scribbled “D” before the acronym), who was last seen attempting to rescue Buzz and his new junior Die Ranger friends Izzy, Mo and Darby point the way to an outside outpost. It’s not clear what Deric’s role is in the team, but they clearly don’t think highly of him as they walk away and he’s still looking at a map and advising them on distances and turns. At the end of the film, he’s still there, now raving about the scenic views they might see on their route.

Then he finally turns around and realizes they’re all long gone, and he’s disappointed. Kind of a shame, especially after the film’s triumphant ending with its emphasis on bonding and friendship. It’s pretty sad to be Deric and think he’s part of a team when that team didn’t even bother to tell him they were leaving. Treat your artificial intelligences better folks!

But after the credits roll, after the animated Pixar Animation Studios logo, after it really seems like it’s all over and over, there’s a split-second shot of the film’s villain, Zurg, floating lifeless in space… until his red LEDs -Eyes suddenly light up again, indicating he’s still alive, kicking and ready to come back for the sequel.

Will there be a Lightyear sequel?

Image: Pixar Animation Studios

Good question! It’s too early to ask — it may depend on how the film performs at the box office — but it certainly seems so light year settles in for one. Not because Zurg is still out there, but because the ending is so clearly stated: “Now that all the main characters have learned their lessons about confidence, teamwork, and living in the moment, the real adventures can begin!” As Buzz, Izzy, As Mo and Darby embark on their first mission as newly empowered Space Rangers, it feels like their true story is just beginning.

When asked if Pixar was planning a follow-up, producer Galyn Susman told Polygon, “We haven’t closed the door yet. And yes, after a few weeks of sleep, we’ll talk more about it.” Director Angus MacLane hinted that there was a lot more to Buzz Lightyear’s story to tell: “We don’t go into his academy years that much, and we don’t go into detail the adventures afterwards. But it’s certainly open enough [for spinoffs].”

Is Lightyear a sequel or prequel to Star Comm and’s Buzz Lightyear?

Image: Walt Disney TV Animation

MacLane tells Polygon that the animated series is from 2000 Buzz Lightyear from Star Command and the movie that started it are not related to light year. He compares these shows to the 1980s animated series Star Wars Ewoks and droids, non-canon series that draw on the same mythos as the Star Wars films, but don’t take place in the same continuity. So he and others at Disney don’t need to tie up potential light year Spinoffs to this story much more about the fight against Zurg. He is free to set his own course for the future light year Sequels that could potentially go to infinity… and beyond.

A light year Prequel or sequel can take any number of forms. Since the launch of Disney Plus, Disney has done more with TV spin-offs from Pixar projects, from the High-related short series dug days to the micro shorts collection Pixar popcorn to full throttle Monster Inc. subsequent series monsters at work. There is a cars TV series and an original Pixar TV series are also in the works. light yearThe ending of seems particularly well suited for a space series, with Buzz and his rangers traveling from planet to planet, encountering new life and new civilizations, going boldly where, etc. etc., you know the drill.

But given Pixar’s tendency to market its more successful outings — four Toy Story movies and three Cars movies so far The Incredibles, Find Nemoand Monster Inc. all get spinoff movies too — light year might as well direct a cinema sequel. His ending is entirely open to either a major rematch with Zurg or a series of clashes over time.

What Zurg would specifically want with Buzz at this point is unclear, as Buzz no longer has the power source Zurg was looking for. Maybe the story just becomes “Zurg is trying to get his perfect power source from a bunch of different colonies and alien civilizations, and the Space Rangers are trying to stop him.” Or maybe, like Buzz, Zurg chooses to live in the present and just focus on it to become a kind of tyrannical warlord – and imperator! — he was in the animated series.

BTW, does Top Gun: Maverick have a post-credits scene?

nope!