Following the success of the Cars franchise, Disney announced in 2011 that a spin-off of Cars, entitled Planes, was set to be released on DVD and Blu-ray in fall 2013. However, this week brought the new announcement that the computer animated film will now be released in theaters on August 9, 2013.
Planes tells the story of Dusty, a crop duster who wants to enter an epic around-the-world air race, but is afraid of heights. Although the project will be overseen by Cars director John Lasseter, the film is in production at DisneyToon Studios, rather than Pixar Animation Studios. DisneyToon Studios, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Animation Studios, is responsible for many of Disney’s direct-to-DVD sequels, as well as the current franchise of Tinker Bell films and such films as A Goofy Movie.
While Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer was originally attached to Planes as the voice of Dusty when it was slated for a straight-to-DVD release, the actor has reportedly moved on from the film, and producers are looking for a new replacement. No other casting for the film has been announced.
The addition of Planes to Disney’s theatrical release schedule now gives the studio ten theatrical releases in 2013, including four animated films. Stay tuned for more news on this upcoming film.
