Even though Paul Newman (The Sting) passed away in September 2008, Pixar won’t let a little thing like death keep them from bringing the legendary actor back for a posthumous performance in Cars 3.
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While the studio hasn’t announced his appearance in the sequel, Stitch Kingdom did spot Newman’s name listed among the other voice actors in the official Cars 3 cast list. We’ll have to wait until the filmed is screened to the press in order to find out if Pixar recycled dialogue from Cars (2006) or used dialogue that Newman recorded that didn’t make into the first film.
Since it has been over a decade since Cars came out, you may not fully-remember who Newman played. He voiced Doc Hudson, the 1951 Hudson Hornet who was a talented racer long ago but gave up the fast-life to become Radiator Springs’ judge and doctor (more like a mechanic). Although the old-timer took sometime to warm up to the town’s newest arrival, Doc Hudson eventually mentors Lighning McQueen, teaching the young hotshot some new tricks and that there is more to life than being the fastest.
Also, consider this: Doc Hudson is dead in the Cars franchise. In 2011’s Cars 3, we learn that the Piston Cup was renamed after him and his clinic was converted into a museum to honor him. So, using some common sense, Doc Hudson will either appear in a flashback sequence or as a ghost.
#cars3 cast list (including Paul Newman) pic.twitter.com/DtejwsxFLF
— Stitch Kingdom (@stitchkingdom) June 5, 2017
MORE: Cars 3 Short Film Intro Revealed / Cars 3 Unveils Character Teaser Trailer / New Cars 3 Trailer Coming Soon / Someone Already Gave Cars 3 Teaser Trailer The Logan Treatment
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 (voice of Cristela Alonzo), 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!
The voice cast also features Armie Hammer as Jackson Storm, Larry The Cable Guy as Mater, Bonnie Hunt as Sally Carrera, Cheech Marin as Ramone, Michael Wallis as Sheriff, and Paul Dooley Sarge.
Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist Cars, Cars 2) and produced by Kevin Reher (A Bug’s Life, La Luna short), Cars 3 cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.
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Cars 3 will be speeding into theaters on June 16, 2017.
