10 Sequels That Stupidly Changed The Main Character

10. Lightning McQueen To Mater - Cars 2

The Original: Cars is Pixar's most underrated movie. Not one of it's best, sure, but not the early mar on its legacy those who can't get past the "how does a world of just vehicles work?" question. A key part of that is the film's strong heart, which centres on the redemption of Owen Wilson's Lightning McQueen. It's a well-covered story, but the "big shot slowing down to appreciate the smaller things" arc is well done, especially thanks to an evocative turn from Paul Newman in the mentor role.

The Sequel: John Lasseter, the film's director, was clearly obsessed with the world of Cars more than most of his audience. When promoting the first movie, he started imagining what the film's heroes would do in the various global locations he was visiting, which rolled into the plot of the sequel. And, because at this point he was doing Cars for himself and he inordinately liked Larry The Cable Guy's Mater (a face only a creator could love), he made that hick the lead.

The result sidelined Lightning McQueen and saw dim-witted Mater attempting to stop an eco-terrorist cell with the help of Michael Caine's secret agent. Dumb is putting it lightly.

It sounds like Cars 3, due next year (sorry to be the bearer of bad news), will flip things back somewhat, with Lasseter saying the plot will deal with Doc Hudson's legacy.