When The Muppets officially debuts in theaters on November 23, it will not only mark the return of our favorite Muppet characters to the big screen, but our favorite Toy Story characters as well. Before screenings of The Muppets, a brand new Toy Story short, entitled Small Fry, will be shown, as audiences get the chance to connect with Buzz, Woody, and some of their other favorite Pixar pals once again.
USA Today recently released some new information about the short from writer/director Angus MacLane, along with a brand-new image from the film. The short, a “Prince and the Pauper tale for toys,” centers on a Happy Meal-type toy who yearns to break out of his display case, and does so by kidnapping and switching places with Buzz Lightyear. Stuck in this new situation, the real Buzz Lightyear finds himself in a support group for discarded fast-food toys.
“These toys’ existence is about being really popular before the meal and then being totally forgotten about,” MacLane says. “And sometimes they don’t even get played with.”
Despite not fitting into this group of mini toys, Buzz has trouble exiting the group. MacLane says about the situation:
There’s something funny about having the action hero have to deal with something very mundane like escaping from an awkward social situation. To me, that’s funny.”
Bringing these characters to life will be Toy Story regulars Tim Allen (Buzz), Tom Hanks (Woody), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), and Joan Cusack (Jessie). These regulars will be joined by Pixar director Teddy Newton as the voice of Mini Buzz, MacLane as some of the discarded mini toys, and Glee actress Jane Lynch in her first Pixar appearance, voicing Neptuna, the narcissistic group leader. About Lynch’s appearance, MacLane says:
“Jane has an appealing way of being demeaning to people but where you still like her — even though she’s kind of horrible,” MacLane says. “Right away, she got the character.”
Be sure to check out this seven minute short, as well as The Muppets, in theaters on November 23.
