Hollywood star Owen Wilson has won huge acclaim for his memorable turns in mainstream and independent films. From the highly regarded Woody Allen romantic comedy Midnight in Paris, Wilson’s credits include box-office hits such as Marley & Me, Night at the Museum, Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian, and Wedding Crashers.
Additionally, he has lent his voice to Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, Marmaduke, and 2006’s Cars, which was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Animated Film.
He is also the voice of the star racecar, Lightning McQueen, in the much-anticipated sequel Cars 2. Here he speaks about his love for cars, racing and the movie in general. Excerpts from an interview:
Additionally, he has lent his voice to Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, Marmaduke, and 2006’s Cars, which was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Animated Film.
He is also the voice of the star racecar, Lightning McQueen, in the much-anticipated sequel Cars 2. Here he speaks about his love for cars, racing and the movie in general. Excerpts from an interview:
FROM CARS TO CARS 2What made Cars so endearing to audiences?I think Cars and the other Pixar films are so popular because they take on universal themes and tell them in a unique and passionate way that feels personal with almost a handmade quality. Their films are different than everybody else’s. Pixar seems to care more than anybody about getting it right.
What kind of director is John Lasseter?Cars was his passion project, so it was exciting to have him at the helm again. He puts so much effort into getting it right.
There’s so much enthusiasm when he’s directing me in a session that you’d think it’s his first movie. He dresses a bit like a kid - he’s always in one of those Hawaiian shirts with cars on them. He seems like someone who would fit in working at Disneyland. The guy’s the head of maybe the most successful animation company ever.
There’s so much enthusiasm when he’s directing me in a session that you’d think it’s his first movie. He dresses a bit like a kid - he’s always in one of those Hawaiian shirts with cars on them. He seems like someone who would fit in working at Disneyland. The guy’s the head of maybe the most successful animation company ever.
NEW IN CARS 2Who are some of the new characters in Cars 2?The filmmakers do a great job of populating this world with great new characters. One of the fun things about the espionage world in the movie is that you have all these cool gadgets for the spies. It makes it that much more exciting. You’ve got Finn McMissile, who’s voiced by Michael Caine -which just feels right. Holley Shiftwell is voiced by Emily Mortimer. And the Gremlins and the Pacers are the bad guys.
Mater gets me involved in the World Grand Prix when challenged by Francesco Bernoulli, a Formula Racer voiced by John Turturro. He’s my number one competitor. He’s very cocky and somebody you want to beat, but he also has that European flair to him.
What’s new for Lightning McQueen in Cars 2?When the movie begins, I’m happy just to be in Radiator Springs and I get to spend time with Sally and everyone. The big change for my character is that he’s learned his lesson in the first film. He’s now a lot more grounded, but Francesco gets him stirred up and back into the competitive mode.
Mater gets me involved in the World Grand Prix when challenged by Francesco Bernoulli, a Formula Racer voiced by John Turturro. He’s my number one competitor. He’s very cocky and somebody you want to beat, but he also has that European flair to him.
What’s new for Lightning McQueen in Cars 2?When the movie begins, I’m happy just to be in Radiator Springs and I get to spend time with Sally and everyone. The big change for my character is that he’s learned his lesson in the first film. He’s now a lot more grounded, but Francesco gets him stirred up and back into the competitive mode.
What is the story of “Cars 2”?Mater is like one of those overgrown puppies that you love, and has such loyalty and love. But he kind of drives me crazy, too. His heart’s in the right place, but in trying to help, he just creates more chaos.
Mater has never been out of Radiator Springs, so I invite him along for this adventure. So we’re going global - we’re visiting England, Italy and Tokyo for the World Grand Prix. Along the way, Mater becomes entangled in a little intrigue - international espionage - people mistake him for an American spy. So we’re not just racing around the world, we’re trying to save it.
Mater has never been out of Radiator Springs, so I invite him along for this adventure. So we’re going global - we’re visiting England, Italy and Tokyo for the World Grand Prix. Along the way, Mater becomes entangled in a little intrigue - international espionage - people mistake him for an American spy. So we’re not just racing around the world, we’re trying to save it.
What do you think of the Cars 2 world?I’m excited to see the way they’ve “car-ified” Tokyo, London, Paris and Italy. I think it’s going to be amazing to see that. I know when John Lasseter was just showing me stills - drawings - they were so beautiful I wanted to take them home and hang them on my wall.
CARS & RACINGAre you a fan of cars and racing?Growing up in Texas, there’s always sort of a love affair with cars and I think one of the things that inspired John Lasseter is that he loves cars.
As a kid, I’d make up a list - if you could have five cars, what would they be? I love Aston Martins and the DeLorean from Back to the Future and Ferraris - from the ‘50s especially - are really amazing. I drive a Prius, but maybe that’s not as exciting as some of those cars. The spectacle and the sound of Formula 1 racing is something unbelievable. I also became somewhat of a racing fan after meeting some of the NASCAR racers on the first film.
As a kid, I’d make up a list - if you could have five cars, what would they be? I love Aston Martins and the DeLorean from Back to the Future and Ferraris - from the ‘50s especially - are really amazing. I drive a Prius, but maybe that’s not as exciting as some of those cars. The spectacle and the sound of Formula 1 racing is something unbelievable. I also became somewhat of a racing fan after meeting some of the NASCAR racers on the first film.