"Cars 3" Will Bring New Characters to Radiator Springs; Possible 'Episode VIII' Title Leaked

"Cars 3" Will Bring New Characters to Radiator Springs:

Concept Art of Cars 3 from Pixar

We are more than a year away of the release of "Cars 3" but USA Today gave us our first look into the sequel to the story of Lightning McQueen. This includes the introduction of a new character named, Cruz Ramirez, who is being brought to help train McQueen (Owen Wilson will return to voice) in competing in the increasingly high-tech racing world.

Cruz Ramirez (role hasn't been casted yet) is a young Hispanic female yellow sleek race car brought in to, "teach an old dog new tricks," said "Cars 3" director Brian Fee. He added, "Think of where he'd be in his career now in real time. (McQueen) is not an old man, but he's one of the older cars on the circuit with new rookies coming in. People start to wonder and ask when he might retire."

'Cars 3' Concept Art Photo Courtesy: Nick Klocek, Pixar

One of those rookies will be Jackson Storm, an upstart new car on the scene who trounces McQueen in a race. The plot thickens in the film as McQueen is not ready to close the door on his career just yet and that is where Cruz Ramirez comes in. During the off-season Ramirez will prepare Lightning that he's got the goods to still race in the upcoming Florida 500 (equivalent to Nascar's Daytona 500). 

The film is in deep production with some story points still being solidified, animation however is already underway in some of the established scenes as seen in the concept art. Lightning McQueen will return to his original signature look and familiar characters will return in McQueen's best friend Tow Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), his girlfriend Sally Carrera (Bonnie Hunt), and auto-body show owner from Radiator Springs, Ramone (Cheech Martin). 

The story will stay in America and hit race tracks across America. Fee added, "This movie is a love letter to racing and the American way. We're inspired by the Americana you see traveling through the South where every small town has a dirt track."

"Cars 3" has a release date for theaters set for June 16, 2017.

Possible 'Episode VIII' Title Leaked: 

A Star Wars Celebration poster may have leaked the title of the upcoming film, "Star Wars Episode VIII" discovered by GamesRadar. The film which isn't due to be released until December of 2017 may now have a title. 

Star Wars Celebration may be where we hear the official title but until then all we can go on is the poster. The title in question is Star Wars: Fall of the Resistance which brings into question what the plot of the eighth film in the saga. Does the title mean the First Order will bring an end to the Resistance and the Rebellion that we have known for so long. 

Many are expecting 'Episode VIII' to have a much darker tone to the film than "The Force Awakens" much like "Empire Strikes Back" followed with after "A New Hope." Is the future of the Resistance in jeopardy, we don't know and we won't for a while. 

If this is the title we could probably expect to hear the official title when Star Wars Celebration London does occur July 15-17, 2016. Meanwhile, we do know "Star Wars Episode VIII" will hit theaters December 15, 2017. Oh yeah countdown to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has officially hit 200 days.

Note: Happy Memorial Day and a special thank you to all our military men and women who have fought and died for our freedom. We wouldn't be free without the bravery of these heroes.