Disney and Pixar's Lightyear cast and UK cinema release date amid Disney+ release date speculation

It's now been three year's since Toy Story 4 hit our cinema screens in 2019. Fans of its everyman lead character Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks, may have to wait to find out if there will be a fifth installment of the animated franchise with Hanks and producer Mark Nielsen divided on whether it will happen.

In the meantime, however, Disney and Pixar have come up with an altogether different vision for its charismatic starman and frustrated astronaut hero Buzz Lightyear, voiced by comedian Tom Allen in previous instalments. And, as the character would certainly approve, we have an all-action sci-fi summer blockbuster space adventure on our hands.

Lightyear is set to hit cinema screens later this month. It sees Buzz finally given his wings and stepping out in a sense from the shadow of Woody as the singular star of the film.

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Directed by Angus MacLane, the animated feature film is a spin-off/prequel/origin story exploring the hero who inspired Buzz's toy character. The premise of the film is spaceman Lightyear and his friends finding themselves marooned on an alien planet.

Our hero is forced to travel 62 years into the future to try and help the gang get home, while escaping the clutches of space villain Emporor Zurg. McLane, who also co-wrote the script for the film, explained what filmgoers can expect, and how Lightyear fits in with the Toy Story 'universe'.

Speaking at a press event, last month, he said: "Now you remember in Toy Story, Andy had a birthday party. His favourite gift was a character that he loved, Buzz Lightyear the Space Ranger.

"And it was a toy that would redefine playtime for Andy. And I've always wondered what