Disney-Pixar on Monday released the first teaser trailer for Cars 3, the third installment of the animated franchise about anthropomorphic race cars that has grossed over $1 billion at the box office and more than $10 billion in merchandise sales.
The 49-second teaser features gritty visuals, heart-pumping sound effects, and screeching tires culminating in a dramatic crash. We don’t see who caused the crash but franchise protagonist Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, is the victim.
The trailer is an altogether dark affair. (Disney-Pixar isn’t afraid to go dark for third movies, Toy Story 3 saw its main characters placed in mortal danger.) It ends with the words: “From this moment, everything will change.”
Disney’s official synopsis of the movie:
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez, with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!
Cars 3 will be released in U.S. theaters on June 16, 2017.