When Audiences Like the Other Ending More - A Look Into Cars 3's Deleted Scene

[@creegol]

I never really see this mentioned, but the main reason I think that the alternative ending was better is because it proved everyone at the start of the movie wrong. Cal Weathers said: "You know, I asked my uncle once how I'd know when it was time to stop. You know what he said? 'The youngsters'll tell you.'" That was seen as such a hopeless piece of dialogue, seeing how everything was leading to McQueen being a washed up racer that should just retire. Instead of telling the audience that despite when you're old, all hope is not lost. The movie decides that it was best to prove Cal Weathers' line from the start of the movie. McQueen should just give up on beating Storm and let Cruz do it, because the fight was a lost cause from the start. I think if McQueen won the race and then chose to retire (without even finishing the season) it would be a lot more satisfactory. It would also make a lot more sense for Cruz not to win her very first race. As long as she left a good impression and had fun (, which is also a good lesson for the audience).

[@lightning10053]

Valid point in so many ways.

[@conorprendergast9876]

the could have cruz win and lighting come second, al the training was him trying to prove he could beat storm

[@GT4WJ]

Would also have been nice with McQueen winning the race, proving everyone wrong, then retiring and then Cruz takes the Championship, overcoming the deficit of not participating in the first race of the season. I also agree with another guy in this comment section that a lot of ppl (including me) were not ready to say goodbye to McQueens Career. Cars 2 should have been more about Prime McQueen instead of the political spy stuff with Mater. In a way, the mistake with the Cars 3 ending is that Cars 3 is the true sequel to Cars 1. Cars 1 was the begininng of McQueen's career, then you jump straight to the ending of it in Cars 3.

[@willowweedsYT]

@@GT4WJBut the middle of his career would be very dull, just him winning a bunch of races because he’s at the top of his game. I really like that this is story not about the old getting pushed out by the young, but about adapting and finiding value in each others experiences and strengths.

[@viksinha5410]

@@willowweedsYT He didn’t win all his races; he had tough opponents like Francesco to challenge him. But I do think they should have focused more on McQueen’s career and him competing with other rivals.

[@eduardoaguero1220]

I feel like Cars 2 has the most amount of deleted scenes that could have fixed the film, since it has a lot less disjointment, I'm actually planning on fitting Tale Tall and the removed paris race into the remake of the movie

[@iMEGAmation]

I do wish we could’ve seen some of the deleted races in the WGP

[@alderlopezcastro4928]

The mater tall tail opening was fun. Especally fitting with the music. That race could of also been the first race mcqueen did wothout doc

[@daanvos194]

Cars 2 shouldve been a series

[@ThatOneJapanFan]

​@@daanvos194Yeah

[@ThatOneJapanFan]

Name will be Cars 2 : the series

[@highoctanegames]

what i liked about the cars 3 alternative ending because it shows mcqueen finally accepting a dinoco sponsership, a reference to the original movie. It would have involved Cruz and Mcqueen and I believe it would have been better as an ending

[@iMEGAmation]

I’m just more so on the line of thought that the first film and a lot of what this film starts with, allude to the fact that things like flashy sponsors aren’t the focus, so I don’t think it’s as rewarding.

[@meowercatidk]

@@iMEGAmation i think the reason i like the deleted scene more is because i feel doc hutson was rejected out of the racing community and to follow in his footsteps seems wrong since that not what he invisioned or like not what he wanted. i dont know how but it just feels disrespectful in a way

[@ishierrogamer7798]

And It could still have the same final message. In the last lap McQueen is fighting with Jackson and Cruz for the Win. He sees that he can not beat Storm in top Speed so He gives the Slpistream to Ramirez and She overtakes both of them winning the race.

[@vrvel_music]

@@ishierrogamer7798 THISSSSS, I feel like that would be the best ending, best from both worlds, like, Mcqueen and Cruz race, Mcqueen has proved that he can be 3rd, so when he tres to reach Storm, he tries his hardest but remembers his accident., so he backs off and then Cruz motivates him, they start giving each other slipstream until they reach Storm, Storm says something silly, and Cruz overtakes him but he hits her, Mcqueen avoids her and slows down to give her slipstream so once again they get to Storm and Mcqueen makes Storm angry by saying something, as Cruz reaches to Storm, both start to pull away while Mcqueen keeps 3rd and the event of the jump and everything happens and both share the podium and everything

[@Daniel_95]

I was about to comment this! It would have tired back to the first movie beautifully

[@colebaker___]

I don’t dislike Cruz, I think having her end up as a racer is the natural progression of her character (although, coming from a race fan, she isn’t a race car and doesn’t fit into the series at all but it’s fine). I just wish that Lightning hadn’t quit. It’s telling all the kids that watch the movie that if you try really hard to get something but it’s too hard then you should just give up. It doesn’t sit right with me. This movie was an almost perfect love letter to NASCAR history and it’s fans, but the ending ruins all of that

[@lightning10053]

Facts

[@jerry3790]

Also in reality, a NASCAR racer isn’t limited nearly as much by their age as they would be in a conventional sport

[@bolbyballinger]

See, in most sports movies there's an easy fix for that. Father Time. At some point you just get old and lose the physical ability you used to have. No matter how skilled you are there comes a point where you just lose to much potential. This is kind of what's happening to Lightning. His is more technology moving past his capabilities. Either way he's getting too old for this. In most sports movies you just make the character look older and get winded. Not that hard. But Lightning is a car. Unless they pulled a Planes 2 and had some of his parts stop being made there's no reason he would lose his old capability or show any signs of age. It would be a much easier sell if something was visibly different with Lightning. That said I think they did it alright. That scene on the dirt track where he finally passes Cruz only to be re-passed by her does confirm that he really isn't capable anymore. That the moment any of the young bloods learn how to do the same things he'll be back in the same exact position as before. Accepting that you ARE mortal and that you DO have to hang it up is an important thing for kids to know.

[@kevinpi7488]

@@bolbyballingerMaybe, but there is nothing like a last dance moment, McQueen could have just pulled a Nico Rosberg.

[@elliotsturtplus340]

He didn’t quit he said he was continuing to do racing but by coaching Cruz

[@amoney11]

Alternate ending was definitely better, to see him in doc’s paint job with the powered by dinaco would’ve been a great call back to the first film, it is true that fans weren’t ready to say goodbye to mcqueens racing career because we barley saw any of it, we saw him tie with king and chick, we saw him purposely lose to help out king (which I have no problem with) and then he won one race in cars 2, and then see him win a couple in a short montage, so yeah understandably so we didn’t like seeing McQueen give away his number because we didn’t even see him race that much, that was really the problem of cars 2, not focusing on prime McQueen and just mediocre spy stuff with mater. So yeah getting that Dinaco sponsor with the doc Hudson paint job and docs number would’ve been a better ending, if I had it my way I would’ve left it on a cliffhanger where McQueen and Cruz were lined up together side by side a few rows behind Storm at P1 with a couple new gen cars between them, they have a little talk jokingly taunting eachother as they finish up the rolling start, lights or flag go green and we get a a couple seconds of music to our ears as we hear mcqueens V8 pushing up the RPM’s one last time and scene cuts to black, and then it cuts to the original end scene that we got with them all at radiator springs with Cruz and mcqueen racing, if you read all that thanks lmao but yeah, honestly wasn’t a bad ending but not a good ending either

[@cnasna43]

sounds damn cool bro

[@lightning10053]

Mostly agree

[@leephelipe]

i just hate how fast the whole conflict is solved in the end, yeah, i will agree mcqueen works as a mentor but the "you started it you win too" just doesnt sit right with me, even racers in real life feel that way, take aric almirola/denny hamlin win in the miwaukee mile in 2007, both won, yet it still left a sour taste in the mouth for everyone, his first win and it wasnt satisfying, mcqueen and almirola won on a tecnicallity, its just upsetting

[@nickklavdianos5136]

This is definitely true. I always thought that a better ending would be if Lighting did the whole race, won and after proving he was still capable, then maybe retiring and starting his racing team with Cruz as the racer. Or he could be an owner driver with Cruz as the second car. Or he could keep racing for his current team and own another, like Denny Hamlin now and Dale Earnhardt before. These are all plausible scenarios.

[@shadowhound5113]

Yup. Cars 3 is not as good because Cruiz taking his place is not him finishing the race.

[@daBananass]

Honestly this sums it up pretty good. I don't dislike McQueen passing the torch over to her. It just felt super rushed and disjointed compared to the pacing throughout the rest of the movie

[@tylerharris7081]

Very true. NASCAR racing is as much about endurance as it is about speed. Tagging out like Lightning and Cruz did does not align well with the spirit of the game.

[@denzelwright8475]

BUT THATS NOT REALITY! Im tired of everyone forgetting the core conflict of the movie. Smokey said it "You're old. Accept it." Lightning was NOT going to beat Storm. He never was and maybe never will. But EVERYONE wasnt paying attention to what he was doing. He came in 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Everyone calling it his worst season because he wasnt coming in 1st?? He was far from done racing but he just wasnt going to beat Storm, and if that is truly what it was going to come down to for his deal with Sterling, then Cruz was gonna have to be the one to take his place, a newer generation, passing the torch. REALITY. everyone wanting their feel good ending about Lightning Winning anyway, he had a good career winning 7 piston cups in a row, its time to take a step back and enjoy just the racing. Not giving up, but not achieving unrealistic expectations either. The perfect lesson for some viewers that are now 10 years older since watching the first movie.

[@gabrielv.4358]

I mean, we NEVER Seen him win a single piston cup....

[@iMEGAmation]

We know he won and that’s not the point of the movies though, he’s been a great racer since the beginning of the first film. This race was the first of the season too there wasn’t a cup on the line if that’s what your thinking.

[@shiningstone6771]

But he has already owned 6 piston cups.

[@sparking023]

@@shiningstone6771 Yes, but we don't *see* it

[@ezraho8449]

@@shiningstone6771he did what in his cup?

[@Moiyima]

@@iMEGAmation "show don't tell" - that's all i'm gonna say about this

[@Drunken_Hamster]

This would've been way better than the simple reference/cameo at the end. You could even tie back to the first film when McQueen sacrifices the race to help Strip Weathers finish after the crash. How? By having him do really well at first, only to realize that Cruz is WAY behind, so he falls back to coach her into a better spot on the field, and they work together to get to the front of the pack, drafting each other and whatnot. Once they're 2 and 3, they antagonize Jackson together in order to pass him, only it ends with Jackson targeting McQueen because he's the most responsible for his impending downfall. This leads to McQueen telling Cruz to finish the race without him as he's being ground into the wall. Eventually, he ends up doing the Hudson flip, which then enrages Jackson further, so Jackson pulls a page out of Chick Hicks' book and tries to PIT McQueen. But before he can fully spin out of control, we find out that Cruz never took the hint to drive ahead, and she saves McQueen from spinning out. Jack@ss, I mean *Jackson* tries again, but now they're REALLY in sync, so they completely dodge him as he makes a fool of himself by whiffing the bump and spinning out in the infield which leads to Cruz and McQueen taking 1st and 2nd, respectively.

[@galaxian_7]

damn this is good

[@fillok2204]

Nice, all I ask for

[@Starman.2957]

❤❤❤❤

[@xfightergaming4955]

This alternate ending would’ve worked just fine, it would’ve showed a story of determination, skill, and overcoming of doubt through your friends help. Also the ending in general is kinda Like a George Forman comeback arc.

[@thelouisjohnson]

The letters scene was so impactful, I thought it was one of the best moments in all the films. This whole time, Lightning had built up this image of Doc as a pure racer, an old sporting legend, focusing on the achievement. To see Lighting realise that for Doc, passing on his love of racing to him was the most important part of his life, was so heartbreakingly brilliant. I agree, that to have Lightning learn to accept and embrace his role as a mentor was miles more effective for the outcome of the film than to have it forced upon him. It's not perfect, but it's the Cars sequel we deserved - very happy it exists.

[@iMEGAmation]

One of the scenes that always gets me on rewatch!

[@sandy_shark]

Agreed, the letters scene has always been my favorite, especially since it reminds me of my late grandfather.

[@dunkboyxd6618]

I agree, this was a much more relatable message

[@pinhe4d321]

Its not what we deserved (yes Cars 2 is better btw) ... There was a whole buildup to McQueen vs Storm, which we didnt get to see. The only reason McQueen passed the torch is not because he is "too old" or "has to be a mentor", its because Cruz was getting bullied. They could have at least made McQueen finish the race properly.

[@pinhe4d321]

@CJ-xx5ms He wasnt, he was literally begging for another chance and trying hard up until the last minute.

[@ShockwaveFPSStudios]

I feel like Cars 3’s alternate ending fit an alternate version of Cars 3 that we never got to see.

[@prosecutorwalton]

Yea, with such a different ending its not hard to imagine that the build up would have been a lot different also

[@SBG1218]

The mentorship theme wouldn't have been diminished *at all* if mcqueen won the race and then switched out with cruz after that. You could just have him name her as his "surprise" replacement in the post race interview, then have a big dramatic reveal that he's the crew chief in the next race, then show a montage of them kicking ass together. Few things feel better to race fans than their guy going out "on top" (or at least doing well) so to do what they did just doesn't work in a movie about racing.

[@GameOver-nm2us]

yep it seems to me the movie makers very obviously don't know wtf they're doing

[@herofan9926]

Well, the move director said that Lightning McQueen winning the race felt hollow and unsatisfying to him because the theme is not about proving to be better than yourself, the theme of Cars 3 is accepting on your own that your old and to give someone a chance when they didn’t take the first chance they had in the past and here it is: In another draft, McQueen ran the whole race himself, won it, and then chose to mentor Cruz. Director Brian Fee felt this made the ending feel unsatisfying and "hollow", as McQueen's Character Development revolved entirely around him realizing Cruz's potential.

[@SBG1218]

@herofan9926 ok, but him winning then letting cruz race still fits "the theme" then. Why does "accepting that you're old" have to mean "giving up right at the end" instead of "quitting while you're ahead then letting someone else take over"? Sounds to me like my suspicion is correct and he's out of touch with this subject matter.

[@herofan9926]

It is because the Director Brian Fee thought it would be too hollow and unsatisfying and yes, they did planned on having both cars race but they didn’t want to split the audience as according to this: Another version had Cruz and Lightning racing separately. This was scrapped as the two would therefore be racing against one another, which the writers worried would split viewers regarding which character should win. And besides, you may think he gave up but to others, he didn’t, as he is still racing, he is just being Cruz’s Crew Chief for the time being until she is ready to race without his guidance and if everyone thought like you, then Cars 3 would have not been popular. And to you, “Accepting your old” might mean “Giving up at the end” but not to others as they knew that this “Accepting your old” meant “Risk your chance to give someone else a chance who didn’t take their first shot”as he was willing to lose his bet with Sterling just for Cruz to race.

[@denzelwright8475]

​@josephphillippe8823 you didnt watch the movie. Lightning was NEVER going to win. Storm passed him AGAIN and Lightning was going to come up at least 2nd again. The deal with Sterling was that he either won or quit. Lightning didnt "give up" but he knew he wasnt going to come first either. He had the experience, and smarts but just not the gusto of a younger generation to beat Storm, but he remembered who now has both. Cruz. The one who never got a chance. So in 2nd to 3rd place he called for Cruz to come in and BEAT STORM. Thats why the movie is so good. A lot of the reason people dont like it is no one likes being shown their own reality, that younger people might still outpace and beat someone trying their absolute hardest to keep up. but what did Smokey say "You're old. Accept it." In the end if it wasnt just about coming first. Ya know, "Enjoying real racing" then Lightning still managers to beat out all the other younger racers and still come in 2nd. He's still got it and can definitely keep racing. But the conflict was that he was setup for 1st or nothing and THATS JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. gotta accept it

[@nickklavdianos5136]

I didn't really like the ending. Mostly because, on a charachter basis, I, and I believe most others, are more invested in McQueen. We have been for three movies. For someone like me, who's been a racing fan for years now, McQueen was the first racer I was a fan of. Cars was a large part of why I got into racing in the first place. McQueen is the reason why every time I played Gran Turismo 5, the red flamed 24 NASCAR Chevy Impala was my car of choice. To see him get such an unticlimactic sendoff left a sour taste in the mouth. It was just a mirror image of what happened to Doc. He didn't get to really end his career on his own terms. For me personally, a better ending would be: Lighting completes the race, winning and proving he's not old history. Then A) he decides to retire, and becomes Cruz's manager, using his connections to create his own racing team. B) he chooses to keep racing for Rust Eaze, but still creates his own team for Cruz to race at, and keeps acting like a mentor. C) he ditches Rust Eaze, creates his own team were both he and Cruz race at. I think these endings would be more fitting. Cruz still gets her shot, Lightning still becomes a mentor, but he also completes his career on his own terms.

[@liamcox7057]

I like the deleted version because it would have partially mirrored Jeff Gordons final win at martinsville. Martinsville was one of gordons last chances to make it to the championship for his final year and he pulled it off. He didnt win the championship or frankly do very well after martinsville, but he still got the chance to do so. Gordon was stated to have been an inspiration for lightnings character and was a story consultant on some of the movies. He also voiced a character in cars 2 and 3.

[@supersoldier4079]

Cars 3 was a bittersweet story but its bittersweet with heart. Even though McQueen may not go on to win many more races in the future his racing influence lives on in the person he mentored and will continue to win races with his number that he gave her. It's a story of a legacy living on through its successors. A story that is sad, hopeful and beautiful.

[@skaionex]

I think the main reason we have issues with the ending of cars 3 is because we never had a movie with lightning winning that wasnt overshadowed by the rest of the movie. Cars 1 had him sacrifice his win and in cars 2 the race is an afterthought so it doesnt feel special or anything. So in cars 3 we are yet again robbed of a good victory beyond the montage at the beggining that doesnt feel impactful in any way. Had cars 2 focused on the race and he had won it without all the shenanigans, i think people would have accepted cars 3 a lot more than they do currently.

[@bogdanbusui5249]

I understand the point made, but I would prefer the alternative. I would've prefered to see Lightning win one last race, not splitting it with Cruz

[@luisorduna2964]

I think what most people don't realize is that what the ending for McQueen's career actively reflects the reality of most drivers' career in NASCAR (which was extensively looked into for the development of CARS 3). The closest to seeing a Driver go out in a victory was Jeff Gordon making the final four in 2015 finishing five points behind the champion. Although without the Chase, he would have finished 8th. Tony Stewart, 3 time champion, finished his last season with one win. Dale Jr and Matt Kenseth stepped away at the same time. Matt finished with one win and a seventh place overall. Jr, the most popular driver, finished 21st overall. Of course, we all would like to see a storybook ending. But then the line "You know, I asked my uncle once how I'd know when it was time to stop. You know what he said? 'The youngsters'll tell you" would have no meaning in the movie. Especially considering thats what real life tends to reflect. I feel Cars 3 is a more realistic approach to Lightning's on track career. Specifically having the next generation catch up and surpass you.

[@iMEGAmation]

That’s what I can appreciate about the messages Pixar tells and their means of doing so

[@christopherbennett6016]

As someone who grew up with Cars, I hope Cars 4 keeps McQueen as the focus and has a similar feel to the original. Cars 3 was fine but that's about it, nothing terribly special. And I love Cars 2 as a movie despite it not being a great sequel if that makes sense. Anyways, great video! God bless John 3:16-21

[@iMEGAmation]

There’s always a chance it goes that way, we’ll all have to stay tuned!

[@WorldOfCarsEntertainment]

Really love the video. I remember watching this deleted scene for the first time way back, and also was wishing this was the real ending, but looking back, I can actually see the flaws it has. McQueens time is over for racing, but a new beginning for mentoring, I love it. Whatever the next project is, I do hope it is Radiator Springs focus with more sally involvement

[@iMEGAmation]

Yeah I’m in a really similar boat for wishing it was the real ending for a moment there, as for future projects, I still want to see Protect and Serve finally release, and a shirt where McQueen and Sally get married maybe???

[@Tokuball]

I honestly think that the reason people prefer the deleted ending is that the film never gave Cruz enough time for her to grow as a character. If the film focused more on fleshing her out as a character, it would've given audiences a reason to like her. It would've also given Lightning a more integral role in the story, signifying the closure of his character arc as he passes down the torch to Cruz and becomes her mentor like Doc did for him.

[@iMEGAmation]

I’d say she’s pretty well developed, similarly to Doc in the first Cars in terms of character arc and role in the film

[@lightning10053]

Okay. So. I see this claim brought up from time to time. That the ending we got is fine as is and while the alt is nice it doesn't fit. Simply put. With all due respect. That's just not true. I know everybody has their opinions but sometimes a claim is just inaccurate. And in order to not just be another voice on youtube going "Rah Mcqueen ending better. Cruz sucks." I'm gonna break it down and address a few things. 1. 3:20 Actually, that's not true. There is a video showing the ending of the race. Mcqueen was gonna outdraft storm and win. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqHSqZWMZq6EqKMsi=ZTEKCEXxSgTPRHGe 2. 4:10 I have to strongly disagree. I'm sorry but the ending we got is just meh at best for Mcqueen as a character. First of all just think about it like this. In the first film Mcqueen giving up his victory works well for the story. But then we get to cars 2 and we see Mcqueen win one race with the story not even focusing on him AND the world grand prix never even being concluded to have a victor. And finally we have cars 3. Mcqueen in the end doesn't even finish the race. He doesn't overcome the big challenge and is forced to pass on as a racer. (Which i'll get into later) So we're supposed to believe Mcqueen is some great champion yet we never actually see him overcome any obstacle for victory or actually be a champion? Come on man. That doesn't work for the character at all. Plus, this ending literally still has cruz race. So it takes nothing away from her, and all it does is give Mcqueen what he should've had instead of just claiming he's so great with no on screen wins to back it up. It works better for him. Imagine if every movie ended like rocky 1. After a while it'd just get annoying to never see him win. 3. On top of that. The simple fact Mcqueen (according to both the ending we got and cars on the road) is still a racer completely negates all of that and makes the ending we got pointless. 4. 4:20 It's also because they actively advertised that as the film. If they hadn't made damn near every piece of promotional material about Mcqueen vs storm the reaction would be different. Outside of every poster showing Mcqueen we got posters of MCqueen vs storm talking about "it's on". Not to mention the freaking trailers. The cars 3 official US trailer. Just read the words in it. "One last chance. One more dream. This summer, it's not over, until lightning strikes." Cars 3 "Rivalry" Official Trailer "When they say your time is up. It's time to make your move." Don't make nearly every piece of advertisement about Mcqueen's comeback and facing storm just to have him not even race storm in the end. That's just some crap man. They sold us on one movie then gave us another one. 5. 4:52 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3S9fJ1qls-ffdksi=3pzq8qY4ZTiQouOM They're all connected. It's an earlier version of the film. He says it at 0:35. And if you watch the whole thing that's why the mentorship claim doesn't hold up. The point wasn't about mentorship. The ending you see here isn't meant to serve that. They state in the video I sent that it felt like a lot of endings they'd seen before. 6. 5:08 This claim doesn't work. People say this like Mcqueen didn't choose to race for dinoco. He was given an option, retire or race. And he chose to race.

[@iMEGAmation]

I appreciate the comment, and I'll go over a few of the points you made.. I probably should've mentioned this clip., and the 'Making Of' featurette it pulls from, as that is one of the instances they show of McQueen winning, being that it's the same paint job, I do agree it's likely a continuation of 'More Than New Paint' we can also see him performing the same Doc Hudson flip that Cruz did, though in his classic red, so there were obviously a lot of versions where he wins, none of them got the full deleted scene treatment so I left it out. I understand wanting to see McQueen actually win a race, maybe it would made the training from Smokey that was specifically tailored to aging cars better, though I do stand by the fact that these stories following Lightning McQueen's journey was never really about overcoming the opponent, rather growing as a person (car), and that might not be the story that everyone wants, but it is a staple for a lot of the best sports movies, and it does allow for more in the final act here. McQueen still racing in Cars on the Road does contradict my point, but I always thought the series played loose with the rules, but I wouldn't say it makes it pointless by any means since he still wins technically, and with Tex buying Rust-Eze, there is certainly more freedom for him, as for the advertisements, a lot of that just comes down to not wanting to give too much away, and since the marketing for Pixar doesn't typically dip into the second half of the film, they really only went off McQueen's initial motivation, which does carry until the final race, so I don't think it was too deceptive. Good catch that they're all connected, something I did miss,, I'd argue that mentorship still plays a major role no matter what through with Smokey and Thomasville obviously tying in to Doc, and Cruz having her late Grandfather being her mentor. Also with the Fabulous Lightning McQueen, I have no doubt he sees himself as Cruz's mentor in this alternate version of the film. This final claim is specifically in reference to Sterling wanting Cruz to be a racer, rather than McQueen seeing for for what she is capable of. I appreciate the comment, and for watching my video, I hope I cleared up some of my views a little bit better, and I appreciate the alternate point of view.

[@DragonStar524]

I honestly like this deleted scene, but I think what they went with in the end was the better ending. It fit the whole point of the story better.

[@iMEGAmation]

Yeah it’s undoubtedly a strong scene, and I’m glad it got released to the world

[@themysteriouslifeofvic419]

Same here

[@dodgyoldmate1644]

I don’t think it’s the better ending, I think it’s to repetitive and a coincidence, Disney have been finishing series like that for a while now and it’s honestly annoying, it’s putting not the greatest message out there to kids that you will reach an age where you won’t be able to keep up and step aside as you age, completely going against the message Disney used to have. Also the whole story makes no sense saying McQueen was never fast enough when he was clearly way faster than Jackson and Cruze in his prime

[@DragonStar524]

@@dodgyoldmate1644 It's supposed to be an analogy for aging and knowing when your time is up. And then finding a new purpose in your life afterwards.

[@ds6329]

​@DragonStar524 Yeah well they could have made that point more believable and not in a split second decision DURING the big race. McQueen could have raced and beat Storm or McQueen and Cruz BOTH could have raced and beat Storm (best ending where everyone is happy). Then McQueen retires and coaches Cruz. The whole movie was about McQueen redeeming himself after his big crash and loosing. Cruz's story was a side story. It wasn't believable that she could beat McQueen and somehow beat Storm. I remember thinking during that mid race scene, "Huh, I didn't think this was the direction they were going to go. I thought this was a comeback story. Not a passing of the torch. They really didn't sell it that way. And somehow she is going to win without any racing experience. Classic Pixar trying to be cute."

[@trained_idiot4479]

i never realized how much better cars works in a 2d artstyle

[@iMEGAmation]

It’s definitely charming, I 100% prefer the one we got though

[@yamihoole]

The alternate ending makes a lot more sense to me story wise, I never understood why having two cars race under the same number would be allowed. And it would have been an amazing bookend to have Lighting finally race for Dinoco and under Doc's number to boot

[@Photo0021]

There are things like I like about the alternate, and there are things I prefer with the final product. I'd argue Pixar made the right call with how they handled it similar to how you did. Great video.

[@iMEGAmation]

Thank you, and well put.

[@VinnyMartello]

I guess I should clarify. I like the idea of McQueen adopting number 51 for that last race.

[@plaidhatter1674]

I preferred this ending. Hot take, I know, but let me explain. The movie has heavy themes of legacy and retirement. As someone already stated, there is a scene that proves how Lightning isn't cut out for this anymore, that scene being when he passed Cruz in training only to be immediately passed again. These movies took place over a very long amount of time, and despite not appearing older, Lightning aged. We see as much with Doc. He is a car, and therefor doesn't change in appearance as he ages, but you can tell from Paul Newman's brilliant voicework in the first movie that he is getting old despite having that spark inside of him. Lightning wasn't able to compete against racers in better condition, and accepted that he wasn't cut out for it anymore. I feel that Lightning wanted to keep it simple like Doc did and to simply coach without a lable attatched to the face, and that kind of simplicity is something I respect deeply. Reminds me of my own grandpa in a way. He keeps things simple, and I can see how happy he is.

[@TheLaXandro]

I feel like the other ending could've worked out better. The forceful replacement would create tension between them, a rivalry that would resolve in him getting to race her proper and with stakes, and realising that in the end it wasn't her who mentored him- it was him who mentored her to be a great racer. He doesn't have to win it, he can come second to her or even third to her and Storm in a close race, as long as he goes from having an egoistical desire to prove himself to pride in someone else it's a much stronger ending and message than what we got. And makes a lot more sense.

[@SuperWarrior64]

The final race we got was underwhelming to me mainly because we could've gotten an amazing final race with Lightning and Cruz trying to beat Jackson Storm hell Lightning could've done that flip that Doc tried to pay homage to his fallen mentor. It just baffles that they had such a good premise and decided to scrap it entirely for something that in my opinion is no where near as good (no hate to Cruz this is just how I feel)

[@RacingAtHome]

I'm not sure about that alternative ending. It doesn't make sense for Sterling to do a 180 and go from Cruz the Trainer to Cruz the Racer. That would essentially require a rewriting of the way Sterling views Cruz for the rest of the film.

[@0455Javi]

Watch the scene with the original audio. Sterling explains how in the weekend they were training, Cruz's numbers where improving and where overshadowing Mcqueen's one. And at the end it was him who ended training her

[@Physicfriendfredbear-x1x]

Lightning never said he was done, he’s just taking a break

[@MINICheesepuffs]

i just wanna see it fully rendered and animated

[@iMEGAmation]

I’d honestly like to see that as well

[@SlurpyPie]

While I still liked the ending we got, there was something about the deleted ending that just struck a chord with me. I really think they should've gone for a middle ground with both endings having it where Mcqueen beats Storm in the race but ultimately decides to take the Crew Chief role for Cruz kinda like Doc did for Mcqueen at the end of the first film.

[@funnysillyclown]

I think my main issue with the ending of Cars 3 is that Lightning only reached out to Cruz once he realized he didn’t have a chance at winning. I know he didn’t do it out of selfish means, but it leaves a weird taste in my mouth. I think it would have been much stronger if he had a moment maybe right before the race where he realized this isn’t even what he wanted anymore and had Cruz race it all herself.

[@viksinha5410]

No, he reached out to Cruz because he heard Sterling tell her she isn’t a racer which made him recall when she told him about the time she didn’t take her chance. Theoretically, McQueen did have a chance to win as he could reach a max speed of 212 mph after having old parts replaced, and he had learned new racing strategies when training for Florida. But he chose to give Cruz her chance, showing his character development.

[@Jay-oj4hj]

Lightning didn’t reach out to Cruz because he was struggling. In fact mqueen was making steady progress in the race and in 50 laps he went from dead last to the top ten.

[@irtrafaelhenn3842]

I liked cars 3 But i feel the deleted final scene conected more to me becauss i grow up with the cars saga watching the first one as a kid so if it is to end i would like to see the guy i am connected with have he finak time in the spotlight and I did't got enough time with cruz to get connected all i know is that she wanted to race and they said no and she accepted and became a trainer we saw mcqueen seeing he is not in his prime and suffering to accept that i jusf feel mcqueen did't get his final time in the spotlight and just accepted the role close to that liks cruz when denied to race

[@MrJr1976]

The best ending would have been to have lightning race with the 51. Cruz sees how terribly Sterling treated Lightning. Cruz wins the race with Lightning in second. Cruz quits the 95 team. Lightning then sees an opportunity retiring from racing, but passing the 51 and Dinoco to Cruz who gladly joins under the management of Tex and the strategy of Lightning. Leaving Sterling with no good driver to fill the spot of the 95

[@kian_de_gamer1638]

So assuming the deleted scenario was kept, this is how the race should have gone: -Option 1: Storm leads the race but is scared of losing to McQueen and Cruz who are a little bit behind. Because of this, he decides not to pit for new tires. On the last lap, he gets a puncture. The film ends as Storm, Cruz and McQueen all come across the line and the same time. Then it goes black. -Option 2: McQueen and Storm are in a battle for the win with Cruz a little bit behind. Storm does not want to lose and hits McQueen which makes Lightning crash. Because of this, Storm loses momentum and Cruz passes him on her way to the chequered flag. Then she brakes as hard as she can and stops before the finish line. Storm wins the race. Cruz drives back to where McQueen is and bumps him to the finish line while she says “a Queen should finish his last race”

[@John-fk2ky]

Repeating the end of the first film’s races? That’s arguably worse than what we got.

[@ozthebeeman]

I don't agree that this doesn't fit the film's theme. The themes in this film are actually more open handed than people give it credit, most people say it's about mcqueen becoming a mentor, but in reality that's most just the ending of the film, to me the themes are more about the legacy we leave behind. This fits the movie way more and all the scenes with doc Hudson can be seen as more of a story of legacy than a story about mcqueen becoming a mentor. I think giving mcqueen the opportunity to race one last time and actually win for the first time on screen would have been amazing and him doing it with hudson's number chef's kiss, i think this does fit the theme of legacy especially because he gives up at first and only does it as a last hurrah for the cheering crowd. In the end he could have retired and allowed his legacy and hudson's legacy to live forever while alos becoming a mentor for cruise.

[@OrangeTheAlienAthlete4095]

This is why my Pixar idea Alien Sports doesn’t give the main character a mentor for getting the 15 aliens into the nba

[@iMEGAmation]

Awesome!

[@a.n9346]

Tell me more pls lol

[@OrangeTheAlienAthlete4095]

It’s set in a world where humans and aliens can coexist but aliens are mistreated so there’s never been an alien athlete. Until an autistic orange alien named Orange Stark and his 14 companions join the nba to prove themselves and follow their dreams. Tye Sheridan Jason Sudekis Demi Lovato Seth Macfarlane TJ Miller Maya Rudolph Will Arnett Scarlett Johannson Mila Kunis Ricky Gervais Awkwafina Andy Samberg Cristela Alonzo Kid Cudi Kayleigh McKee Steve Carell Patrick Warburton Alex Borstein Snoop Dogg Keegan-Michael Key JK Simmons Julia Roberts Meghan Trainor Zazie Beetz Richard Ayoade Bill Hader Karan Soni Billie Eilish And various NBA players would be in the cast. It would have a spiderverse style of animation and would be composed by Daniel Pemberton

[@Princess_of_cute]

I still have to say that the alternate ending is so satisfying. We see such a major growth in Lightning, when he was able to accept that Cruz should take the chance to be a race, even if that means he won't be racing anymore. Before, everything was about him, needing to get better, so he could win the race against Storm. Along the way he realized, that it's not, and it's a lesson he kinda learns again, since he had in the first movie already, but this is something else, because his way of letting go, was finite. There was no other chance later (or he didn't know there would be). I find it great that we saw first, how Lighting was actually having such a serious and important moment, only for it to be paid back. I find it a good decision, that Lightning then got the sponsorship from Dinoco, because it ties back to the first movie. He was really deserving of someone getting to him and picking him up again, after he had been picking up others when they needed it (King/Cruz). It's also great that they then ended the movie with an open ending. It gives all viewers the possibility to decide, what they see fit and that's such a good move, since that can satisfy anyone that has been watching all three movies, following McQueen on his path and then deciding, will he win or will he not? What happens after? Missed opportunity, but it is what it is

[@timefazer-fv9bw]

This is my head cannon ending

[@bloopboop9320]

The issue with cars 3's ending is mostly execution. Cruz running the race is fine, but doing it mid-race is insane and makes no sense.

[@kyubi2612]

I had an idea for an ending where Lightning loses his number to Cruise but still enters the race where he would pass up Storm and just as he was about to win the race Cruise would ultimately passes up both of them as he is just not fast enough and she'd win the race. Lightning would get to prove himself for the finale time and perhaps not be able to go that fast again but he'd get to pass the torch onto Cruise and finally accept that there will always be someone faster unlike Storm.

[@cristheojon4884]

I get the nostalgia of him getting the dinoco sponsorship as us fans have been waiting for since the first movie, but I agree with the video, I prefer the final product, it just completed the Lightning's character development, him giving up his number willingly to cruz, and him going up to the crew chief stand is just iconic and completes everything about the development of Lightning.

[@BloodDragon-40k]

I think the alternate ending is more fitting because it is more in characters, yes over the course of the movie Lightning became more and more like Doc Hudson used to be, but the only difference should have been that unlike Doc he would get the chance to prove everyone wrong. The entire movie is Lighting becoming Doc both as a racer and as a mentor figure to Cruz, but personally it is more in character to have your hard work pay off regardless of what some suit would say, beating the odds is always the best thing someone can do. Him just letting Cruz do the rest of the race after all that hard work just send the wrong message to me and honestly its kinda suggestive of what Disney would eventually become.

[@ajye8935]

Imagine if he makes a comeback in cars 4

[@mark_themaster9250]

I feel that it's more appropriate for McQueen to retire, 11 years and 7 Pistons Cups makes hime quite the decorated racers. Hime transitioning into the mentor role is coinciding with the audience. Many of us were kids when we started watching cars, and some of us have kids of our own, and we the audience, have moved into a mentor like role just McQueen is.

[@baileyjanssen8911]

Man Disney made a big mistake not putting this in the movie a happy ending for lightning McQueen and he finally beats Jackson storm for real and makes sterling look like a idiot

[@Bashervr333]

Average Pixar deleting the scenes that people will most likely like more

[@iMEGAmation]

Where else do you think they did this?

[@doroisdoro]

I think my issue with the scene we got is that Cruz wins in her very first start. It feels a bit much to me. She comes in at the back of the field, halfway through the race, with almost no experience racing against a full field of drivers, and is able to work her way through and win against a guy who completely dominated the latter half of the previous season. I appreciate the fact that Lighting is there to guide her and help her rely on the things they’ve been working on throughout the story, it makes it a bit more believable, but to enter what I assume to be the equivalent of the NASCAR Cup series (NASCAR’s highest league) and win in your first race is a bit much. Good coaching can only go so far.

[@AwkwardHypernerd413]

The thing I didn’t like about cars 3 was he didn’t finish the race, and let Cruz take the victory. Now I don’t have issues with Cruz winning. That part was fine, she was clearly ahead of lightning and showed promise during the training so having her win was not a bad idea at all. But the original ending leaves hope for Cruz winning AND lightning proving storm wrong, with lightning getting second place and cruz winning. They could’ve done this and it would’ve fit really well. Hell, I would’ve even been fine with lightning getting third place if it meant that lightning proved that he still had it in him.

[@sensha5470]

How I'd like the race after this to go: Lightning and Cruz race through mid-pack with storm somewhat ahead, and eventually end up with storm, lightning, then cruz as storm blows his tires just before the line, forcing lightning to swerve and leading to a Tie-by-tongue like in the first movie. Thereby we come full circle, the final race of movie 3 matching the opening of movie 1.

[@nunyabizness3866]

Whether it was intended or not, cars three came out at a time where females were unjustly given the roles of male characters like Rey and Luke Skywalker. It was artificial, and it usually involves destroying the male character in order to prop up a Mary Sue. I can give this movie the benefit of the doubt and this was much more well fleshed out and lightning. McQueen doesn’t look like a piece of trash like Jake Skywalker but I believe this scene would have been. Don’t destroy male heroes just to prop up a fake female one.

[@aureliamastergoomba1278]

Personally, I think Cruz taking McQueen spot fits more, but seeing the whole stadium cheer for McQueen after he was basically told his potential last shot at a race was taken away from him felt really emotional. My idea for the second ending was McQueen would have beaten Storm for this alternative ending, but Cruz would have won because McQueen near the end despite being in first, went back to get Storm to back off of Cruz (Storm did the same wall slamming trick as the final movie) and throughout the race, McQueen is also helping Cruz as he gets to race while also doing the mentor/crew chief thing, so after the race, he decides to take a backseat while still deciding to keep racing later on, but for the rest of that season would mentor Cruz.

[@aureliamastergoomba1278]

Again, if I had to pick the alternate ending and the one in the final product, I’d pick the final product.

[@NoobHacker-ju1hk]

The Current ending (CE) was okay, he started race raced etc. But if the alternative ending (AE) would have happend it wouldve been so much better, mcqueen could still realize that cruz had very high potential and let her win like he sacrificed his win in the first movie. Something like that wouldve been in my opinion a much better ending instead of this switch mid race. If the AE wouldve happend the movie could have much more diractions to go to after the race started. When I saw the CE first time it felt empty to me since I loved the entire series and that was just so empty after everything. In contrast when I first saw the AE it put a smile on my face. Something in that ending made me so happy, no matter what the race outcome would have been it would have made me happy to finally see his original dream of racing for dinoco come true. Im sad of the fact we couldve had a better ending but I cant change the past now can I?

[@ramongonzales9312]

By Cars 3 McQueen has won 6-7 Piston Cups (I am calling bs on Pixar's 5) so it's unlikely that he wins another cup championship but it would it would mean alot to the fans if he still races

[@iMEGAmation]

It’s confirmed 7

[@austinfeng735]

Cars 3 is a film filled with fan service of the good kind except it doesn't go this far in this scene, that's why people are mad

[@austinfeng735]

like, Cars 3 doesn't feel like a film for kindergarteners but rather people who grew up watching the first film and are young adults. Does this mean it will work at pleasing this demographic? No, I've seen people say its not effective for young kids or for sligthly older kids, because it isn't that funny and fast paced and doesn't do that well emotionally. But on rewatch, at least for me it's pretty solid

[@Crow_Rising]

I'd have liked to see a middle ground. Have it still be McQueen's choice, but also have him sporting Hudson's paint job and racing for Dinoco. Him carrying on Hudson's legacy would have been a cool thing to see, and would have really brought the overall series narrative full circle. Even if it wasn't his time to shine in the spotlight anymore and it's the next generation's turn for a chance to shine, just having him participate in one last race in honor of Hudson would have been such an incredible touch.

[@generalsmite7167]

I think the movie as it is was good but I would have preferred to see a movie with lighting winning as it would have better thematically with doc and with the ending of the first movie. It would also be a lot more interesting to see a race between hotshot rookie and clever veteran instead of young racer vs young racer

[@petergyorgyizsak7935]

We NEED a Cars What If and all these deleted scenes worked out officially. I know that this multiverse style wouldn't fit Cars so much, but still, all these deleted scenes and alternate endings have so much potential!

[@skyfall-3670]

I will say this: In terms of when it was said that people aren’t ready to let go of Lightning McQueen and his career, it’s very true. But I also understand why they went with the final product ending for that film. Now, in my opinion: I prefer the alternate ending not because I’m one of those people that can’t let go of Lightning. I understand that the studio has to move on to new characters and other and newer characters have their story to tell. I prefer the alternate ending because of one major factor: Lightning in that film got the chance Doc never got. Similarly in some ways, this could be also the case for a few nascar drivers irl. I believe it was said that John Lasseter actually was partially inspired by Jeff Gordon and what he went through at one point in his career and it became one of the inspirations for the film. Lightning being an old-Gen model competing with the newer generation of racers mirrors the one line Doc said in regret in the first Cars movie: “There was so much left in me. I never got a chance to show them.” Lightning in the film similarly goes through almost the same thing Doc went through but with the ending, he did have the chance to show them but he let Cruz have her shot. I also understand as well that Lightning at this point is a veteran and in his mind, “It’s just an empty cup” now that he’s won so many and the euphoria has become common. Because of the Deep ties and meaning to the alternate ending, I wouldve preferred it over the one we have but I understand why they went with the one we got in Cars 3 and the meaning behind it nonetheless and I appreciate both outcomes.

[@serbianhammer]

I have an 8 year old ukulele student who after 5 months of playing is playing as well, and in some cases better than I did after 3 years of playing. I also substituted for this 14 year old guitarist who in just one year is playing crazy metal solos, and his fingers move as fast as mine did after like 8 years of playing lol. Some people just got it. I may be a 25 year old boomer, but I still have a ton of tricks, techniques, and experience that I can teach to help make my students as great of players as possible, while still learning myself. I'm obviously biased but based on my experience I love the ending. I don't think McQueen gave up on racing and honing his craft just as Doc didn't. He just found another way to appreciate the sport even more. I've gotten so much better at music since I started teaching. Maybe it'll make McQueen an even better racer.

[@BeaglzRok1]

I feel like the pessimistic outlook of the chosen ending is what gets people down. The whole time people are saying he's past his prime, and after a whole movie of hard work and dedication the moral is... they're right? It was a waste of time and he should've passed the torch to someone with better potential? Sure it's a fact that athletes are generally considered past their prime before 40, but for a kid's movie (let's be honest here) the lesson doesn't fit what the target audience would need to learn. This is a moral ending for baby boomers that can't accept that they can entrust the future generation to handle things from here on out, not children that should understand that hard work and determination is something to strive for. If they had to, I'd see an ending where neither Lightning nor Storm place 1st, but through application of training and experience Lightning is able to keep Storm from making gains and keep a lead on him specifically, maybe even having a situation where he takes advantage of Storm trying to off Cruz and saving her so she gets the win. That way it shows that putting in effort and making fewer mistakes can pay off even against people that on paper are just better. Then we can have our moment where he acknowledges that he's on his way out and passes the torch officially, maybe cut to the point totals for all of the races with a quick explanation that after all's said and done he's still in a good spot for the season going forward. The cut scene might not have been perfect, but both definitely could have been done better.

[@audilover1912]

I believe to have this scene work for an ending would be to have McQueen and Cruiz head to head and McQueen realises that he has become what doc was to him, when he slows down to allow Cruiz to win the race.

[@armorbearer9702]

I can go either way, but I lean toward the deleted scene. Part of being a good mentor is teaching your protegees to not make the same mistakes you made. After Doc got fixed up from his huge crash, the people he raced for told him he was history and to go behind the next rookie in line. Although Doc was correct to say they gave up on him, he gave up on himself as well. He should have fought to get back into the track and not let the criticism get to him. I like Mcqueen becoming Cruz's crew chief in the future, but Mcqueen needs to retire when he is ready to move on to the next stage in his life.

[@bluguy4149]

i feel like the alternate ending would be similar to the original one , but instead of Macqueen giving up the first place it would be Cruz who would help him finish his last race, i think it would tie nicely to the story and a fitting end to macqueen , teaching his student the leasson that he learned on the first movie of winning not being the only thing that matters.

[@mrSlippinidiot]

Of course i enjoyed the alternate ending, he pushed passed his limits for a real reason

[@n0anime342]

I like it because it ties back into the first movie, and gives Doc as well as Paul Newman a proper tribute in the movie. It would give the Hudson Hornet his last race as well as allowing cruz to have the spotlight. I would hope that McQueen would be giving her advice on the track rather than on the sideline and give a sendoff that allows cruz to surpass him, allowing McQueen to retire as #51 and finish the race how doc couldn’t. I think it would give a proper sendoff to all the characters, making McQueen a stronger character and making cruz significantly more like able Hell even having McQueen become a off season trainer keeping him involved in racing but not as a competitor and more than a crew chief

[@apblolol]

Having McQueen give up his spot but then being picked up by dynaco. Them having more experience with older cars could give him just the boost he needs to compete for another season. I mean it would be nice to see him go out on a win.

[@ClicheProductions]

the final ending is better, he realises that his life isn't just about racing, and cruz has waited her whole life to become a racer, and this is likely her one chance, and he sees the potential in cruz and puts her out there in the alternate ending, sterling seeing something in cruz is a lot worse that mcqueen seeing it, and mcqueen entering the race would confuse the audience, no one would know who to root for, and if cruz didn't fully take up the mantle from lightning mcqueen, what's the point of her character?

[@Jay-oj4hj]

Mqueen’s life literally is racing. He is built as a stock car for piston cup races.

[@beardedwizard4444]

But with cars 4 coming out I feel like the alternate ending makes more sense plus McQueen in dinoco blue just feels right its like lewis Hamilton going to ferrari

[@iMEGAmation]

Cars 4 is not confirmed by any means

[@Creatures1504]

I think the alternate ending would've been him and Cruz keeping up and passing everyone, but on the last lap as McQueen is about to win, he takes a second to think, and he realizes that him keeping up and still passing everyone is a win on its own. As he comes to the realization he pulls back and let's Cruz take the win. He would come to terms that even though he can keep up, it probably is high time for him to retire.

[@nguyenbros6217]

I wish the ending was McQueen won the race against Storm, but to his breaking point, like he can still race but not at 100% anymore. At the end, he realises he can't push himself anymore so he choose to retire. Now Sterling doesn't have control over him anymore and he trains Cruz. Though I wish Cruz was a male characters because the racers are all male and McQueen is able to see himself through Cruz. Tbh it doesn't matter, it just felt a little bit strange. And I wish Cruz's car looked more like the new gen racers so it's more believable.

[@mahersabit9265]

loved cars 3 and every bit of, tho it made me feel really old seeing lightning's story ending like that. felt like a full circle

[@CamrynDuBose]

Kachow !!! Awesome video

[@iMEGAmation]

Thank you! ⚡️

[@silentspartan913]

Not only do I think the alternate ending of Cars 3 is better, but it would’ve made Lightnings story arch more symbolic to what Doc Hudson said to him from the first movie. “They quit on me. When I finally got put back together, I went back expecting a big welcome. You know what they said? ‘Your history’ moved right on to the next rookie standing in line. There was a lot left in me… I never got a chance to show them” And Lightning wearing the Hudson Hornet Livery would have made this ending so much more beautiful. Disney unfortunately missed such an opportunity to do something like that.

[@tommy_swim243]

Bru. What the fuck. That should’ve been the ending dude what the hell.

[@fin-jx5vx]

Is it possible for Cars4 to have a story about Mcqueen in his peak racing career? Maybe the story takes place between Cars1 and 2

[@iMEGAmation]

That’s essentially what Cars 2 was for him, though we just didn’t get a story centered around it. Maybe there could be flashbacks if he is training someone again, that’s of course if Cars 4 ends up happening.

[@shiningstone6771]

That was already seen in Cars 2, McQueen was at his peak in his racing career, travels around the world for international races, but the story focused on spyplots and reminder for McQueen's death, Since McQueen was successful and there wasn't anything about to focus on McQueen. But in Cars 3, he becomes old and passes his torch to the next generation and the story revolves around him again.

[@crisprabrasion8638]

Honestly the alternate ending was better for me just like in the first movie "I think the king should finish his last race" he didn't need to win but in my opinion he should finish it will serve as his final roar and the wake-up call that he needs to grow and move on ending his story like most athletes that grow old, the cars 3 ending wasn't an ending but a beginning which is why people feel that there is something missing from it

[@pecosnick45]

I really think that would have been the best ending. Especially if the left it ambiguous as to who was going to win.

[@dragonildreamy161]

Why does mcqueen with the doc Hudson livery go so hard

[@dominicaccardo8050]

what if during the alternate final race, cruz is winning with storm and mcqueen in second and third. storm tries to sabotage cruz and mcqueen takes first, he flashes back to the california race from cars 1. mcqueen then does something to stop storm from hurting cruz, while sacrificing his win in the process. definitely rough and need’s workshopping, but it could be good imo

[@darkhoodorderofgray6354]

This whole thing while it's something I would definitely like to see I'm more happier with the idea of what they went with because if they went with what the fans like I would have said a bit but instead of taking 1st place it takes 3rd place is rival at the beginning of the first act taking 2nd and the one he mentored taking 1st

[@farresalt4381]

The point from the top comment, "to prove the starting idea of the movie wrong". But you know what could be even more fun? :D If in the end they are both first and second by a substantial distance, but when Cruz sees him getting behind - she backs a bit. Lightning sees it and does the same and they repeat it till that antagonistic guy whose name I forgot is next to them. Then Mcqueen asks if she's willing to let the jerk win and drops behind him, they get first and third and that guy is _obviously given_ a second place. That would be hilarious for that guy's story-line, whatever it was, hopeful for Lightning and old people in general and would finish Cruz's arc just as well, in my opinion.

[@jaydapugpug]

I think the original ending works, I would just change one ☝️ thing when lighting McQueen is on the track, make him easily beat storm before McQueen switches to Cruz, this would tell the audience that yes McQueen could have beaten the race, but decided not to, and the confrontation with storm could’ve been even better as he gets frustrated at the fact that lightning is mocking him by introducing a new contestant! You could even see lightning enjoying beating storm until the realisation of what he could do (for the next generation).

[@wildsword6856]

I honestly don't hate cruz i actually like her character and honesty her being a racer is actually good character development i know there's some people out there who gonna disagree but lets be real and don't get me wrong I Lighting will as have a place in my heart but Lighting's racing career is over and that's what we all got to accept that but I do want see Lighting McQueen race one more time and to see him go out with a bang

[@sailorearth2007]

First Lightning DOESN’T retire…he clearly says “I’m gonna keep racing but there’s something I want to do first”…as for the ending of 3 I think my issue is Cars 2 did such a horrible job Cars 3 acts like it never happened say for small details like the headlights…then you watch 3 and recall the first movie with such fondness and the callbacks you want to see McQueen be the solo winner…I thought of a better plot for 2 that better leads to 3 and makes everything work better in terms of the flow…only change I would make to 3 is having Lightning restate he isn’t retiring so there is no confusion

[@dclark142002]

For me, I loved the fact that Cars-3 ended with Lightning basically losing... ...because that is what will eventually happen to ALL OF US. Having him win at the end will undermine his own journey.

[@Jay-oj4hj]

Not at all. Winning the race won’t undermine his journey. We have never seen mqueen overcome a trial when it comes to racing. One could argue that it could help his journey by learning to win even at a large disadvantage

[@jakefromstatefm5057]

My Biggest problem with the ending they went with is that I wished they went all out on McQueen being a mentor. I would have loved it better if McQueen gave his spot to Cruz and Cruz permanently raced for rustez while McQueen retired and put his love into racing by mentoring Cruz like doc did with him. If they wanted McQueen to keep on racing I feel like the alternative ending would have been way better, but for me the fact that they don’t go full into McQueen being a mentor and still have him race rubs me the wrong way idk

[@Ocastia]

I agree with you here, I do believe that the actual ending is the better one, the Alternative one feels incredibly forced, and as a car Enthusiast, I dislike the idea of Lightning McQueen winning everything, it just doesn't make sense even fantastic cars like the Ford GT40 or Porsche 919 Hybrid only managed to win 4 and 3 times in a row respectively, and the GT40 got an update halfway through, so you could argue it was only twice in a row. Honestly I think the insurance on having McQueen win, and insult the F1 car was the main reason why I didn't like Cars2 (and believe me I don't like F1) However I have to admit that having a Street Legal Car compete in the Indi 500 and win seems quite strange, not impossible, but generally speaking street legal cars that could win actual races are the street legal variants of race cars (like the 2017 Ford GT)

[@cleanflyweight]

McQueen's story line is finished, so for me, what I want Cars 4 be is a world-building to be shown. The one left with Cars 2. Either a stand-alone, "Mater Tale-esque" story telling. Wouldn't be great seeing McQueen retired, travelling the world with Sally and enjoying his life and seeing the racing community look up to him and emulate his growth regardless of racing differences. Or Mater being a fully-pledged super spy, going to South China Sea, stopping a world domination plan created by a news mogul. The characters are already established, but the world they're in still leaves us with questions and that alone gives so much material to work on for Cars 4.

[@viksinha5410]

I didn’t have too much of a problem with the original ending; it shows McQueen coming full circle. The first movie was the passing of the torch from Weathers and Hicks to McQueen, and this one is McQueen passing on to Cruz what he learned. It’s like the Star Wars original trilogy and sequels.

[@KevaunEverything]

The canon one we got was better for many reasons. A: Just because he got hudson's name doesnt mean he'd win! yeah it would be poetic but it doesnt make sense even with the "smarter not faster" mentality, it was show through Cruiz. B: Lightning looks up to Hudson, Hudson was a racer turned mentor, and Lightning was a racer turned mentor. Lightning wants to be like him, and when he knows its time to pass the torch and know lightning knows when to pass the torch. Lightning getting back in the race and wining completely goes against the 3rd movie's plot, Even IF it was cool for him to win with 51. C: The thing is.... BOTH endings are the same! Cruiz got 95 and is winning and Lightning got the Fabulous Mcqueen, he didnt win with it, YET but him getting/becoming Doc is the same idea between both, the only difference is Lightning becoming the mentor for 95, he's still racing! just with fabulous mcqueen instead of 51 cuz he wouldve still lost with 51 on his body, dinoco is only the brand, Doc is what matters.

[@lightning10053]

kzbin.info58q40GFVgAY?si=7QeXWQfZiep0j_Yn

[@mrmansir3734]

i think jackson was barely a villain, he was just arrogant and disrespectful. Only a threat at the end of the movie against Cruz. If they wanted to make him an antagonist for McQueen to beat, they gotta make the antagonist actually well constructed, and not super basic. Mcqueen winning in the end could’ve worked out 100% if some parts in the movie were constructed better. He becomes super mature tho in the movie ending tho, giving up his dream to help Cruz. The other meaning in the movie has a cool message. Basically “don’t quit just because they demand you to”. So Mcqueen winning would’ve proved everyone wrong, which is really cool. But McQueen trying desperately to win his spotlight again as the main plot seems weird, a little immature, UNLESS there were a bigger antagonist (racing industry?)

[@AvexFuddle]

The current ending is great. McQueen actually grows in this.

[@katamattyon]

I would adore to watch this alternate Cars 3

[@gd3741]

I like the movie ending more, we always focus on winning and getting what we want and that can be a painful message for though who cant follow their dreams from old age or injury etc some times we have to come to terms with oit abilities and that doesnt have to be a bad thing or our dreams can change. Lightning cane to terms that its not a bad thing to retire, he realised that he could be something greater and help someone else achieve their dreams. Not everyone gets to succeed but that doesnt mean they cant be happy, fuffiled and make a difference

[@FuelTheConqueror]

NOTHING will make me satisfied with the ending to Cars 3. McQueen just seemed to...give up...and randomly just say "here, take my career". This is 100% not like him, and this is especially bad when the ending doesn't give him the hero's exit he deserves. At least in the alternate, the story is much more believable. McQueen is overconfident as always, but is finally forced to face the fact that he will never beat Storm. However, he manages to pass the torch while getting the honorary chants from the crowd all while honoring doc in the process. We can reasonably assume from here that his retirement will come soon and Cruz will be the next shining star. THE END.

[@AustinFeltron]

Nobody knows the finish to the alternate ending as you said 🤷🏼‍♂️ maybe Lightning goes out there, realizes he can’t beat Storm, and then helps Cruz beat him on track. We would still see Lightning become the mentor, but he also gets to do it while racing instead of quitting with the lazy writing of ‘he still won cus he started the race’ Alternate ending for the win imo

[@lightning10053]

We do. Look up cars 3 "the storm is over."

[@iMEGAmation]

I’ve already talked about that in another comment, that’s one of multiple endings they toyed around with, there’s no full scene showcasing it, as it was briefly touched on in the behind the scenes feautrettes

[@AustinFeltron]

@@lightning10053 it’s not confirmed those 2 deleted scenes are the same version of the film