Exclusive 'Cars 2' Character Debut: "Shu Todoroki"

By Peter ScirettaFeb. 2, 2011 7:55 am EST

Walt Disney Pictures has provided us with an exclusive look at one of the new characters from Pixar's Cars 2. Shu Todoroki is a Le Motor Prototype racer representing Japan and bearing #7 in the World Grand Prix. Hit the jump to learn more about Todoroki, see the full high resolution image and watch an animated 360 degree turnaround video.

Photo (high res, click to enlarge):360 turnaround:

[flv:http://media2.slashfilm.com/slashfilm/trailers/Cars2_Turntable_ShuTodoroki_16x9_hi.flv 560 316]

Character Description:

Shu Todoroki is a Le Motor Prototype racer representing Japan and bearing #7 in the World Grand Prix. Shu was raised at the base of the active Mount Asama volcano in Japan, and soon became a champion on the Suzuka Circuit. His sleek design sports a fiery red Ka-Riu dragon, which Shu borrowed from Japanese legend because he relates to the small, yet fierce nature of the dragon. His team legacy is filled with victories – his coach, a Mazda, was the only Japanese car to ever win at Le Mans – and Shu hopes to prove his champion-level racing on the international stage of the World Grand Prix.

Official Movie One Pager:

CARS 2 (In Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D)

DISNEY•PIXAR

Website and Mobile Site: Disney.com/cars

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/pixarcars

Genre: Animation/Comedy/Adventure

Rating: TBD

U.S. Release Date: June 24, 2011

Voice Talent: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Bonnie Hunt, Tony

Shalhoub, Cheech Marin, Jason Isaacs, Joe Mantegna, Peter Jacobson, Thomas

Kretschmann

Director: John Lasseter

Co-Director: Brad Lewis

Producer: Denise Ream

Composer: Michael Giacchino

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in "Cars 2" when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning spy-in-training Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer). Mater's action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

John Lasseter returns to the driver's seat to direct this follow-up to his 2006 Golden Globe®-winning "Cars." "Cars 2" is co-directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film "Ratatouille," and produced by visual effects industry veteran Denise Ream (associate producer, "Up"; visual effects executive producer, "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith"). The film hits the track on June 24, 2011, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.

Notes:

• John Lasseter made his feature film directing debut with "Toy Story" in 1995. He has since directed such Disney•Pixar classics as "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2" and "Cars" and served as executive producer of all other Pixar films to date. He is currently the chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and principal creative advisor of Walt Disney Imagineering.

• "Cars 2" is the 12th feature-length animated film from Pixar Animation Studios (its first 11 have earned $6.5 billion at the global box office). Pixar, which has earned 26 Academy Awards® and six Golden Globes®, celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2011.

• "Cars" originally released on June 9, 2006, and grossed nearly $462 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Oscars® and one Golden Globe®, winning the first ever Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

When star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix, Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.