Next Cars Toon to be released in 3-D

Tokyo Mater, the latest in Pixar's Cars Toons series of short films, is to be released theatrically in Disney Digital 3-D attached to Bolt beginning December 12, as part of a push to boost Bolt's chances during the concluding part of the its box office run. (2-D versions will be shown before 2-D screenings.)

In Tokyo Mater, Mater finds himself in Japan, where he's "challenged to a drift-style race against a nefarious gang leader and his posse of ninjas". With 'Dragon' Lightning McQueen by his side, and a few modifications, Mater "attempts to drift to victory" to become "Tow-ke-O Mater, King of all Drifters".

Like all the 'Toons', Tokyo Mater was co-directed by Pixar chief John Lasseter, Victor Navone, and Rob Gibbs.

ComingSoon.net has an exclusive first look that includes the above still from the short. Also, AICN's got more on the film, as well as two additional exclusive hi-resolution stills.