Some people are asking for a clarification if a diecast character release is canon and whether they should collect-buy it?

Well, the first question is – do you like it?

Next question – is it priced reasonable to you?

I think you have answered the first questions of whether you should buy it? 🙂

As for canonnocity? (a made up word by me but maybe with enough usage, it becomes a thing – after all, Google now thinks literally means figuratively).

There are a series of questions to test if it is canon to the CARS line.

#1) Is it diecast metal?
#2) Is it 1:55 in scale?*
#3) It is released or produced by Mattel?
#4) Is it based on a character appearing in CARS?
OR
#5) Is it based on a character appearing in CARS 2?

If you answer YES to the first three and either YES to #4 or #5 or both, then there is no question to its germane canonocity of the most supreme order. They are gold.

For some people, this is where the group of releases that they will drawn up to collect, either as a completist or pick & chose. They will chose no other as others are merely non-canonical releases and will leave you astray and asunder from the pure.

You are the keeper of your own wallet. 🙂

Within the mainline, you are free to quibble and divide out those releases that you cannot answer with 4 or 5 YESes such as Blu Ray McQueen or even most of the 2012 Super Chases … but it’s your call.

Now, the Expanded Universe CARS

Storytellers (2008 to 2010)

Nearly all crossover main townie characters. Back story from World of CARS book with foreword by John Lasseter – stories alluded in CARS 1 (flashback scenes); from deleted scenes (cinematics on DVD); and early storyboards from the ART OF CARS. Metal diecast releases, from Mattel – 1:55 and in most cases, merely repaints of mainline releases. Canon.

Toons (releases from 2009 to 2010).

Mostly story by: John Lasseter credits – created by Pixar Animation Studios. All the main townie characters appear. Many Toons were retroactively canonized to the “mainline,” by their appearance in the Tokyo scenes of CARS 2. Back to the questions – Metal diecast releases, from Mattel – 1:55 in scale. Canon.

But what about Disney releases in that period that you can answer YES to many of the is-it-canon questions. Disney Store Frank is mostly metal, and in scale – and Disney is the licensor (they own Pixar) … or some of the wrestling CARS or what about Goofy/Pirate Mater produced BY Mattel for the Disney Theme Parks using the exact same 1:55 Mattel Mater – only adding some plastic parts to him – though those characters do not appear in any film, short or book.

Again, it’s your decision.

But now, it’s going to get interesting from here on out … because really, you can say the Pixar CARS era is 2006 to 2011. The Disney CARS era is 2012 to the Present. So, you could be a Pixar only collector …

Pixar Canada produced the latest shorts “Tales from Radiator Springs,” though we have gotten no diecasts from these shorts.

But since then, DISNEY has taken the World of CARS ball and run with it.

The Silver Series announced with some big plans but we haven’t seen any new shorts – except for the back story in the CARS magazine. Of course, we have the Kmart Silver Series racers with the exception of Rip Clutchgoneski already released by Mattel (plus other plastic versions).

PLANES, obviously.

PLANES 2: Fire & Rescue coming in less than a year with diecasts probably out in April, 2014?

Disney Stores: Many PLANES products closer in scale and with more metal than Mattel’s.

Disney Theme Parks: CARS Land vehicles, Star Wars CARS, Time Travel Mater & Lightning, Wedding Day Stanley & Lizzie, & Playscapes Playsets.

So, we have an interesting split into two distinct eras: Pixar 2006 to 2011 and Disney 2012 to 2014 (at least).

Though keep in mind, John Lasseter is the Creative head of Pixar Animation, Pixar Canada, Disney Animation, Disney Toon Studios AND Creative Director of Imagineering (theme parks). So, it’s not like he’s not involved at some point in every CARS World film, short, PLANES, CARS Land, etc …

* “1:55 scale” is really a general umbrella. If it looks reasonable correct in scale and size to the world/streets/runway of that scene, it’s close enough. Some are obviously wrong and we hope there’s a fix but c’est la vie. It’s a diecast miniature … you can’t expect Faberge quality or accuracy.

So, if it’s metal, 1:55, from Mattel, I consider it a canon. If it’s metal, 1:55 and from Disney, it’s still part of the Expanded Universe (like the Star Wars CARS).

Disney Store 1:43 CARS are not canon but many of the playsets, larger size character releases generally can be considered canon (such as the Combat Ship).

As of now, we consider everything metal diecast, 1:55 in scale (or sized right), from Mattel and/or from Disney as canon to the line.

But ultimately, you decide what you want in your house.

Basically Disney is aiming for Hot Wheels release numbers for this CARS-PLANES-SHIPS-SPACEDOCK line … if you can afford it, they will release it.

When you wish upon a diecast line that is every expanding … it makes no difference … we’re gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, one way or another …