Pixar reveals upcoming film slate of dinosaurs, the brain and 'Toy Story'

At the annual D23 Expo, a Comic Con-like conference for Disney films, thousands of fans got a preview of the upcoming film lineup this past weekend in Anaheim, California, with presentations of features such as Marvel's The Avengers and Tim Burton's anticipated Frankenweenie.

Pixar Animation Studios unveiled details for another cartoon short titled Small Fry, based on Woody and the Toy Story characters. Hawaiian Vacation with Barbie and Ken was attached to Cars 2.

Described as a "Toy Story Toon" in The Huffington Post, the story follows Bonnie, the girl who got Andy's toys in Toy Story 3, after she leaves Buzz Lightyear at a fast food restaurant.

Jane Lynch ( Glee) will voice a mermaid warrior role. The short will be attached to the anticipated new Muppet movie due in theaters November 23.

Nothing is confirmed yet about a fourth feature version of Toy Story, but the animation studio revealed two upcoming as-yet-untitled films.

One focuses on the asteroid that scientists think hit earth and wiped out the dinosaurs - only it imagines it misses the planet and the dinosaurs lived. The film is scheduled for the holidays in late 2013.

Another animated feature exploring the inside of the human mind is to be directed by Pete Docter ( Monsters, Inc., Up) and is set for May 2014.

Pixar's next films include the animated tale, Brave, about a Scottish warrior princess, arriving in theaters June 2012, and Monsters University, a prequel to Monsters, Inc.

Excerpted clips and concept artwork were shown, with stars and filmmakers present for fans. Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth ( Thor) were on hand for the star-studded superhero ensemble The Avengers with Robert Downey Jr., who plays Iron Man.

Other films highlighted include Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great & Powerful, a take-off on the 1939 classic Wizard of Oz, starring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz; and John Carter, a live-action sci-fi/fantasy, about a Civil War vet transplanted to Mars, starring Taylor Kitsch ( X-Men Origins: Wolverine), to be released March 9, 2012.

Trailer: http://movieclips.com/L2n38-john-carter-movie-trailer-1/

RC