“Mater is a little bit like me actually,” says Larry. “He’s grown up in a small town his whole life, and I’m from a town of 1,200. And what he thinks is fun and exciting, somebody in the city would go, ‘That’s stupid. Why would you do somethin’ like that?’ But in his world, it’s the most exciting thing he’s ever done. He’s the world’s best backwards driver. If you ever wanted a friend, you’d want Mater. He’s McQueen’s buddy to the end, and he’d do anything for that guy. There’s not a mean bone in his body.”
Lasseter adds, “Mater is the definition of true friendship, and Joe and I loved this beat-up rusty tow truck that was always there for his friends. Larry the Cable Guy is one of the absolute funniest guys you’ll ever meet, and he’s a terrific actor too. We had so much fun working with him. When you first look at Mater with his buck teeth, rusty body and missing hood, you think this is a moving wreck. By the end of the film, you just fall in love with him. It’s the classic thing about not judging a book by its cover, and he comes to represent so much of the growth of the main character, Lightning McQueen.”
MACK/JOHN RATZENBERGER: John Ratzenberger eagerly accepted his latest assignment for Pixar. Having provided voices for all six of their previous films, he has been dubbed “Pixar’s good-luck charm.”
“I’m the lucky one,” says Ratzenberger. “Pixar has created the standard that everyone has to live up to. They’re creating history with each one of their films, and I feel lucky to be a part of it. CARS really took my breath away. At first, you’re struck by the detail. As you watch the film, you forget you’re watching an animated feature about cars. It really tugs at your heart strings.
“My character is rugged, strong, broadshouldered, yet sensitive,” adds Ratzenberger. “He’s not going to get you there fast, and it’s not going to be flashy. But you’re going to arrive where you intend to go—eventually. He’s very reliable and loyal. He’s got a work ethic and he wants to make sure the job gets done the right way. I love working for Pixar because of the enthusiasm they bring. You want to play with them and be in their sandbox. John inspires you with his passion and direction.”
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