Fritz, Ben (June 24, 2011). "Movie Projector: 'Cars 2' expected to sputter to No. 1 (Updated)". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 26, 2011 . Retrieved June 24, 2011. WORLDWIDE OPENINGS". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013 . Retrieved June 29, 2011. The spy theme of Cars 2 emerged from a scene developed for Cars, which would have seen Lightning and Sally go to the drive-in movie theater, where they would have seen a spy film. Although the scene didn't make it to the final film, John Lasseter, who says to be an avid spy films fan, liked so much the idea of spy cars that he kept it in mind, and it became a main element in Cars 2. Billington, Alex (April 9, 2008). "Disney and Pixar's Full Animated Line-Up Through 2012". First Showing. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018 . Retrieved May 18, 2011. In 2009, Disney registered several domain names in relation to the title " World Grand Prix". However, so far only the title "Cars 2" has been released.

During the summer of 2008, John Lasseter announced that Cars 2 would be pushed forward and released in the summer of 2011, one year earlier than its original 2012 release date. The US release date was later confirmed to be June 24, 2011, with a UK release date set for July 22, 2011. The world premiere of the film took place at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on June 18, 2011. Cars 2 was released in 4,115 theaters in the USA and Canada, setting a record-high for a G-rated film and for Pixar. The latter was surpassed by Brave (4,164 theaters). In international versions of the film, the character Jeff Gorvette is replaced with race car drivers better known in the specific countries in his dialogue scenes (however, he still appears as a competitor). [8] In April 2008, Pixar unveiled its latest animation slate, with Cars 2 scheduled for a summer 2012 release. [15] [16] Brad Lewis, who had served as producer on Ratatouille, was announced as the film's director. [17] In June 2010, it was announced that Lasseter had been designated as co-director. [18] For the occasion of the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Disney/Pixar published a poster and a video clip featuring footage from the movie. Fireworks: Disney Enchantment • Happily Ever After • Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration • Together Forever: A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular • Wonderful World of Animation • World of Color: Celebrate!Michael Caine as Finn McMissile, a British spy car who, alongside Holley, helps Mater to foil the criminals. This is the fourth Pixar film to be scored by Michael Giacchino, after The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Up. North American Domestic DVD Sales Chart for Week Ending Nov 6, 2011". The Numbers. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012 . Retrieved July 4, 2012. Many animators had the opportunity to test real sports cars at their full speed, by themselves or with a pilot, to gain experience on how to animate the characters of the movie. [35] Some also attended to racing events. [36]

a b Morgenstern, Joe (October 17, 2011). "Oy Story: Cars 2 Is a Dollar-Driven Edsel". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015 . Retrieved August 18, 2012.Dudley Dawson (June 28, 2011). "Cars 2 Movie Review". Archived from the original on May 12, 2012 . Retrieved January 25, 2013. Several members of the team watched numerous spy movies and studied the scenarist techniques and filming process. Lasseter watched as many spy movies as he could get to figure out the genre. While looking at Ronin, story supervisor Nathan Stanton paid particular attention to how car chases are shot. Heller, Emily (March 3, 2020). "A bunch of Pixar movies, including Up and A Bug's Life, come to 4K Blu-ray". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020 . Retrieved October 25, 2021. Kit, Borys (December 21, 2012). "Disney Sets Theatrical Release Date for 'Planes' ". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 21, 2012 . Retrieved December 22, 2012. A storyboarded scene which was used during the production of the movie (Finn does not appear in the final scene),

The car with eyes in her headlights.At the Marché aux Pièces in Paris, one car has eyes in her headlights, which is an allusion to their standard location on anthropomorphic cars. It refer to how John Lasseter felt it was more appealing for the eyes to be on the windshield instead. Fleming, Mike (June 13, 2013). "More Disney Release Dates: Two New Marvel Pics, 'Alexander', 'Hundred-Foot Journey', 'Into The Woods', 'Planes' Sequel Slotted". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013 . Retrieved June 14, 2013.A red British car named Leland Turbo begins the film by transmitting a warning via video to British spy car Finn McMissile. Later, Finn, with help from a boat named Crabby, sneaks onto an oil platform to find that German weapons designer and scientist Professor Zündapp is in command of suspicious operations. Finn is shortly discovered, and is forced to escape without getting enough info about Professor Z's schemes.

In 2009, Disney registered several domain names, hinting to audiences that the title and theme of the film would be in relation to a "World Grand Prix". [19] The spy theme of Cars 2 emerged from a scene developed for Cars, which would have seen Lightning and Sally go to the drive-in movie theater, where they would have seen a spy film. Although the scene didn't make it to the final film, John Lasseter loved so much the idea of spy cars that he kept it in is mind and it became a main element in Cars 2. Disney Officially Announces PLANES, a Direct-to-DVD Spin-Off of Pixar's CARS". Collider. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013 . Retrieved December 30, 2016. Life-sized remote-controlled models of Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn McMissile were created for Cars 2 as part of the “Agents on a Mission” tour, presented by State Farm, to promote the film. The cars were exposed in several North American cities, including Detroit, Toronto, Phoenix, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Miami, among others.Graham, Bill (November 15, 2010). "First Image, Poster, and Official Synopsis for Pixar's CARS 2; Plus Trailer Info". Collider. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013 . Retrieved May 18, 2011. Sztypuljak, David (November 15, 2010). "Cars 2 First Look Image, Synopsis & UK Release Date". HeyUGuys. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012 . Retrieved May 18, 2011. When Mater was at the airport entering the terminal, you could see a mark on his side that showed that his symbol was scraped off. But when he was going through the gate, the mark wasn't there anymore. The theatrical release had an alternate Pixar logo that reads, "Celebrating 25 Years." This has been removed from subsequent home video releases.