Disney Sets Theatrical Release Date for 'Planes'

Disney has set an Aug. 9, 2013, theatrical release for Planes, an animated feature that is “inspired by” the world of Pixar’s Cars but is not made by the animated division.

our editor recommends

Disney's 'Newsies' Recoups in Record Time

Disney XD's 'Ultimate Spider-Man' Gets Supersized Season 2 Premiere

Broadway Star Jonathan Groff to Voice Lead Character in Disney's 'Frozen'

Hailing from DisneyToon Studios, Planes originally was planned for a direct-to-home entertainment release when it was announced several years ago. The movie does for the world of airplanes what Cars did for the world of automobiles and even takes cues from the designs (eyes are the cockpit windows, for example).

PHOTOS: The Big Screen's Evolution of Talking Animals

Jon Cryer initially was announced as the lead voice star but is no longer involved. Disney is now looking for a new actor.

Altthough it might not have the Pixar stamp, it does have the oversight of Pixar’s John Lasseter, who oversees Disney Toon as well as Walt Disney Animation, the division behind such features as Tangled and Wreck-It Ralph.

PHOTOS: 10 Inappropriately Sexy Cartoon Characters

This is not the first time Disney is bumping up an animated movie to a theatrical level. Toy Story 2 initially was planned for direct-to-video release during the late 1990s, but those plans were revised when execs saw early reels. (Planes already was scheduled to hit theaters internationally.)

The late addition of Planes to the studio’s release calendar brings the number of movies it will open in 2013 to 10.