Just yesterday we posted the latest trailer for Disney's upcoming Cars spin-off Planes. But already Disney has pulled the linked vid, and now we have an idea as to why. A new press release reveals that the lead role of Dusty, a crop duster plane that dreams of being a high-flying air racer, has recently been recast. Throughout the film's development, Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer was lending his voice to Dusty, but now his recorded tracks are being dropped and replaced by stand-up comedian Dane Cook.
Considering Disney's Planes is slated to open this summer, this seems a surprising and short notice switch up. The press release offers no details on why the change was made, though the film's director Klay Hall (Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure) offers:
"Dane Cook brings unmatched charisma and brilliant comedic timing and instincts to the character. He gives Dusty a great edge.”
If you've ever seen Cook's stand-up act, you are probably familiar with his high-energy approach to comedy. Personally, I think this energy would translate well into the world of voice acting. For his part, Cook has dabbled in this arena before, lending his voice to characters in Crank Yankers, and Farce of the Penguins. But aside from a one-off spot on the cartoon series Duck Dodgers, this will be Cook's first attempt at voice work for a kids movie.
Another point clarified in this press release is that while Planes is based on the world of Pixar's Cars, Pixar is not involved with this spin-off's production. Instead, Disneytoon Studios is producing what is promised to be " an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure."
This might make those of you who were unimpressed by Cars groan. But it's worth noting that helmer Hall worked his way up in animation as a supervising director on such sharply funny cartoon series as The Simpsons, King of the Hill and Father of the Pride. So here's hoping Hall will readjust the course of Planes to make it the high-flying fun Disney is promising, instead of the clunker comedies that came before it.
Disney's Planes will land in theaters in 3D on August 9th, 2013.
