Disney will release “Planes,” a spin-off of Pixar’s “Cars” franchise, Aug. 9, 2013, in the United States. DisneyToon Studios is behind the film with Pixar/Disney Animation chief creative officer John Lasseter producing.
The film follows a fleet of planes, in particular Dusty. “Two and a Half Men” star Jon Cryer was to voice Dusty, but he has dropped out and the studio is now casting the part.
Disney initially intended to release "Planes" direct to video, but it will now send it into theaters domestically and overseas.
"Planes" will compete against a pair of films that summer weekend, both of which should have more adult followings. The big-ticket item will be Sony’s “Elysium,” Neill Blomkamp’s follow-up to “District 9.” Also opening that weekend is “We’re the Millers,” a New Line drug-smuggling comedy starring Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston.
Next summer’s biggest animated movies should all be sequels save “Epic,” Fox's story of a teenage girl caught in a forested battle. Beyonce Knowles’ leads the voice cast. The other big openers are Despicable Me 2,” “Monsters University” and “Smurfs 2.”
