OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Conservative Hollywood actor Tim Allen is widely known for his role playing the iconic character of Buzz Lightyear in Disney’s Toy Story animation film.
With the upcoming release of ‘Lightyear,’ the left-wing company has gone in a much different direction by casting outspoken liberal actor Chris Evans.
The anti-Trump actor recently said parents who are upset over the film’s pro-gay agenda are “idiots” who will “die off like dinosaurs.”
Actress Patricia Heaton weighed in on the situation by slamming Disney for replacing Tim Allen with Chris Evans as the voice of Buzz Lightyear.
“Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal [Tim Allen],” the Heaton said.
“Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns,” she added. “Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?”
Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal @ofctimallen Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns. Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) June 14, 2022
She continued, “Ok, so the current Buzz Lightyear movie is an origin story – but the reason the character became so beloved is because of what [Tim Allen] created.”
“Why remove the one element that makes us want to see it? [stupidHollywooddecisions].”
Ok so the current Buzz Lightyear movie is an origin story – but the reason the character became so beloved is because of what @ofctimallen created. Why remove the one element that makes us want to see it?#stupidHollywooddecisions https://t.co/bRn1lZgkac
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) June 14, 2022
Disney has recently faced criticism from parents after going “woke” and openly admitting to “adding queerness” inside its programming to influence children.
The company has publicly opposed the new law in Florida prohibiting teachers from instructing in the third grade or below on issues of sexual and gender identity without parental involvement.
Beginning with films like Toy Story and A Bug’s Life, Disney’s Pixar has created numerous animated films targeting children between the ages of one to ten years old.
“Lightyear,” based on the character from Toy Story, features a same-sex couple and same-sex scenes. In the animated movie, astronaut Buzz Lightyear is friends with a gay woman who is in a relationship with another woman.
“Lightyear” actor Chris Evans says anyone who has a problem with Disney’s pro-gay agenda is an idiot.
“The real truth is those people are idiots,” Evans said. “There’s always going to be people who are afraid and unaware and trying to hold on to what was before.”
“But those people die off like dinosaurs,” the actor continued. “I think the goal is to pay them no mind, march forward and embrace the growth that makes us human.”
A leaked video of executive producer Latoya Raveneau as well as a statement by Disney Corporate President Karey Burke announced plans to add “many, many, many LGBTQ characters” to its shows and movies.
The company said 50% of its characters will either be minorities or LGBTQ by the end of the year.
Evans continued, “Every time there’s been social advancement as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth and that’s what makes us good.”
More on this story via Fox News:
The comment comes as some critics of the film have argued the decision to include LGBTQ representation and a scene with a gay married couple kissing in a film marketed to children was intentional.
The on-screen kiss takes place between Hawthorne, a female lead voiced by Uzo Aduba, and another female character.
It was reportedly removed from the film earlier this year, amid controversy over Disney’s quietness over Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill that barred conversations about LGBTQ identity in K-12 classrooms, Variety reported in March of this year, citing “a source close to the production.” The scene, however, was ultimately restored to the film.
“Lightyear” plays in some theaters on Thursday before a worldwide release Friday.
It will not be shown in the United Arab Emirates or Malaysia, due to the on-screen gay kiss.
The film “is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards,” the UAE Ministry of Youth and Culture Media Regulatory Office said in a tweet.
