"Cars 3" to have new, reprise characters

Animated film "Cars 3" will feature new as well as returning characters with voice-overs from actors like Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion, Lea DeLaria and Lewis Hamilton.

"We're introducing some fun and really appealing characters in 'Cars 3'. We really wanted to find the right voices to help us breathe life into them. We hit a home-run with this group. I couldn't be happier," Brain Fee, the film's director, said in a statement.

The other new voices joining the cast include Owen Wilson as world champion racer Lightning McQueen, Cristela Alonzo as unconventional trainer Cruz Ramirez, and Armie Hammer as sleek next-gen racer Jackson Storm.

Produced by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures, "Cars 3" also welcomes the gang from Radiator Springs back to the film franchise, including Lightning McQueen's best buddy Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy), and #95's No. 1 fan Sally (voice of Bonnie Hunt).

Friends supporting their hometown hero include Fillmore (voice of Lloyd Sherr), Sarge (voice of Paul Dooley), Lizzie (voice of Katherine Helmond), Ramon (voice of Cheech Marin), Sheriff (voice of Michael Wallis) and Flo (voice of Jenifer Lewis).

Transporter Mack (voice of John Ratzenberger), Italian Fiat 500 Luigi (voice of Tony Shalhoub) and Italian forklift Guido (voice of Guido Quaroni) continue to support Lightning McQueen's racing endeavours.

Bob Cutlass (voice of Bob Costas) is still calling the races, and Chick Hicks (voice of Bob Peterson) is back, this time as a commentator on the Racing Sports Network. Dusty (voice of Ray Magliozzi) and Rusty (voice of Tom Magliozzi) will return as Rust-eze's chief proprietors.

"Cars 3" is slated to release in the US in June.

--IANS

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