
Pixar’s Cars franchise has long been a juggernaut in both theaters and merchandise aisles, but not every expansion of the beloved universe has had a smooth ride.
The canceled Planes 3: Space, a planned sequel that promised to take the franchise beyond Earth’s atmosphere, became one of Pixar’s costliest missteps, burning through $34.7 million before it was ultimately shelved.
Initially announced at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2017, Planes 3 excited fans with the idea of high-flying action beyond the skies. However, behind the scenes, Disney was grappling with evolving market trends and shifting priorities. By March 2018, the project was officially taken off Pixar’s release schedule, and the closure of DisneyToon Studios sealed its fate.
So, what went wrong? Reports suggest that Disney was facing a changing landscape in the entertainment industry, with a growing emphasis on streaming content and a decline in demand for direct-to-video-style projects. The Planes series, while profitable in the past, may not have aligned with the studio’s new vision.
Despite the cancellation, significant resources had already been poured into the project. With pre-production work being handled in the U.K. under the subsidiary Grand Central Productions, Disney hoped to take advantage of tax incentives. While the company managed to recover $6.5 million through rebates, it still faced a hefty loss of $28.2 million.
The shuttering of Planes 3 also signals a larger shift for Pixar, which now appears to be focusing heavily on sure-fire hits like Toy Story 5 rather than exploring riskier ventures. While it’s disappointing for fans who enjoyed the previous films, Pixar’s pivot suggests a renewed focus on building its strongest franchises in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Although Planes 3 won’t be taking off, Pixar’s future still looks bright with upcoming projects and potential new ventures in the Cars universe. Who knows? Perhaps the franchise will return in an unexpected way down the road.