USA Today unveiled the first image from the new Toy Story short Small Fry today. The short accompanies The Muppets (in theaters on Nov. 23). Directed and written by Pixar veteran Angus McLane (BURN.E), the adventure finds Buzz Lightyear accidentally trading places with a Happy Meal-type toy at a fast food restaurant.
“It’s like the Prince and the Pauper tale for toys,” says writer/director Angus MacLane in the article. “Except one of them happens to be 3 inches tall. “These toys’ existence is about being really popular before the meal and then being totally forgotten about and sometimes they don’t even get played with.” The helmer says the film’s message is simple. It’s all about remembering the little people. “You just have to give these guys a little bit of love.”
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, John Ratzenberger, Joan Cusack all return as the voices of Woody, Buzz, Hamm and Jessie and are joined by Pixar virgin Jane Lynch (Glee) who voices Neptuna, the narcissistic support-group leader for the fast food toys strange.” Teddy Newton (Night and Day) voices Mini Buzz, while MacLane himself provides the voice of mini-toys T-Bone and Super Pirate.
Maclane says the film’s message is simple. It’s all about not forgetting the little guys. “You just have to give these guys a little bit of love,” notes the director.