'Cars 3' Cast: Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion & More Join As New Characters
Kerry Washington and Nathan Fillion, along with Lea DeLaria, have been unveiled by Disney as the newest additions to the "Cars 3" cast, ahead of its cinematic release in June this year. Washington, who plays Olivia Pope in the ABC hit television series "Scandal," will lend her voice to the character named Natalie Certain, who in the story is a respected statistical analyst.
Meanwhile, "Castle" star Fillion, who played the titular character Richard Castle for eight years, will play brilliant business car Sterling, who runs Rust-eze Racing Center, according to Deadline. Lea DeLaria of "Orange Is The New Black" fame will be voicing Miss Fritter, a character who is considered a legend in the local demolition derby at Thunder Hollow Speedway. British Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton will also join the "Cars 3" cast, providing his voice for character Cruz Ramirez's built-in voice assistant.
Washington, Fillion, DeLaria and Hamilton will join returning "Cars 3" cast players of the franchise, which is led by Owen Wilson, who voices Lightning McQueen, and Larry the Cable Guy, who voices Mater. Brian Fee will be taking on directorial duties for the third installment of the Disney Pixar-animated franchise after serving as a storyboard artist for the first two "Cars" films, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Washington has expressed her excitement at taking part in her first animated role in "Cars 3," which she sees as something completely different from her role as a fixer. "It's fun, the idea of doing something that the kids can actually enjoy. Scandal isn't exactly a Disney Jr. show," she said, according to People. The star is already a mother of two children.
"Cars 3" follows McQueen, a renowned racer who is now past his prime and is struggling to find his place in the modern racing world where a new generation of speed racers are leaving their mark. The film will have its cinematic release on June 16, 2017.