The Pixar Theorywas initially published as a book that digs deep to explain how all Pixar films are connected, but the 2017 re-release ofCarsshatters the theory in one wacky post-credits scene. Since 2015, The Pixar Theory has been a huge point of discussion among fans of the Pixar movies. The theory was initially put forward by John Negroni, who wrote a novel that extensively outlined the links between each title and how they are connected.
Since then, the theory has continued to grow thanks to large YouTube channels like SuperCarlinBrothers, and other internet sleuths who take the Easter Eggs as some sort of signal indicating a bigger shared plot. While this theory has some legs, and those who put work into deciphering the code have presented solid arguments, one scene in the re-release ofCarsfrom 2017 could put a halt to the entire theory.
Cars 2017’s Re-Release Has A Bizarre End-Credits Scene
Connecting The Pixar Universe Together In Unexplored Ways
At the end of 2017s Cars re-release, thecars are all gathered together at a drive-in movie park. While there, the cars enjoy a variety of films which appear to reenactmoments from other Pixar titles, with the central characters reimagined as cars.Monsters Inc.plays out with Sully as a monster truck,A Bug’s Lifesees the bugs turned into circus cars, andToy Storyis full of toy cars, rather than the familiar toys. This certainly adds a great comic moment that harks back to other Pixar movies, but it’s also kind of bizarre.
Which Pixar movie would make for a good live-action adaptation?
As their parent studio, Disney, continues to develop live-action adaptations of their extensive film library, Pixar remains firmly rooted in the world of animation, with none of their movies getting the same live-action treatment. That being said, while live-action adaptations don’t always live up to their predecessors, I do think either Monsters Inc. or Coco would be promising candidates to make that jump between mediums. If a filmmaker took a primarily practical approach to depicting the monsters in Monsters Inc., it could provide a fun throwback feeling to classic monster movies, while the rich cultural world of Coco could be a glorious expansion of Mexican representation in a mainstream, blockbuster production, especially since the majority of its characters are humanistic enough to avoid the need for extensive CGI to recreate anything beyond the Land of the Dead.
For one, the films making all of these characters into cars certainly rewrites what each story is trying to achieve. Monsters and humans are no longer two different species. The bugs are cars, and toys are cars. All the imagination anddistinct aspects of these stories is erasedand replaced with something more generic. However, it also creates a bigger issue for The Pixar Theory.
How The 2017 Cars End-Credits Scene Breaks The Pixar Theory
The Pixar Theory Doesn’t Fit With Cars
The Pixar Theoryrelies on a strict timeline of events that sees each movie connect and align with the others in a specific place. This is not in a chronological order according to the release of the films, but the theory does provide a timeline that clearlyconnects each movie and puts them on a single timeline. And unfortunately forCars' fun end scene, the theory clashes significantly with this moment in a way that could shatter The Pixar Theory for good.
The Pixar Theory relies on a strict timeline of events that sees each movie connect and align with the others in a specific place.
WhileToy Storyis supposedly set hundreds of years beforeCarsin the late 1990s, movies likeA Bug’s LifeandMonsters Inc.are supposed to happen hundreds, or thousands of years later. If this timeline is to be believed, it creates a significant paradox where the films playing out inCarsare predicting the future with unusual accuracy, aside from the fact that everything is a car. However, it’s much more likely that these events don’t have a substantial in-universe connection at all.
Cars’ Post-Credits Scene Is One Of Many Problems With The Pixar Theory
The Pixar Theory Should Not Be Taken Seriously… But It Is Fun Headcanon
The Pixar Theory is not necessarily something that needs to be taken so seriously, but as evidenced by the considerable efforts of die-hard fans of the theory, there are those who believe it is intentional. However,Pixar movies are riddled with many more problems and plotholes that oppose the theory, thus making it something that is less serious and more a fun spin-off fan fiction beyond the Pixar movies canon.Carsis not the first, nor the last movie to play havoc with The Pixar Theory.
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For instance, The Pixar Theory attempts to explain periods of time when machines took over the planet, followed by times when bugs and mutated animals ultimately become the dominant race. Rather than simply seeing the movies as fun, individual stories that feature Easter Eggs placed by those involved in maing the movies, the deeper connection is thin.Each Pixar movierelies on telling a unique story, from a unique perspective, and exploring the imagination and creativity of storytelling. So, whileCarsdebunks The Pixar Theory, it was likely never intended to be completely serious.
Cars
TheCarsfranchise is a highly successful animated series produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. Set in a world populated entirely by anthropomorphic vehicles, the franchise began with the 2006 filmCars, which follows the story of Lightning McQueen, a race car who learns about friendship and humility in the small town of Radiator Springs. The series has since expanded to include two sequels, several spin-off films, short films, and a Disney+ series. Known for its vibrant animation, memorable characters, and themes of teamwork and perseverance, theCarsfranchise is also one of Disney’s most lucrative properties, especially in terms of merchandise sales.
