Among the ensemble cast of Lightyear, starring alongside Chris Evans, is Academy Award-winning filmmaker and actor Taika Waititi as the misfit explorer Mo Morrison. More than simply being a part of the latest Pixar Animation Studios film, Waititi has been inspired by Pixar's filmmaking example in his own work.

In a press conference for Lightyear attended by CBR, Waititi was asked if Pixar influenced his filmmaking sensibilities on his own projects as writer and director. For Waititi, it was Pixar's tendency to craft a tightly-structured story and balance their emotional themes that he took particular inspiration from in his career. More than simply serving as a source of influence, Waitii counts himself as a fan of their growing list of acclaimed movies.

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"Especially with Pixar, actually, it's the relentless pursuit of a perfect story," Waititi explained. "You can see that time and time again with their movies. I always go back to their movies, not only just for entertainment or to feel something emotional, but I go back to study how they structure their films and just the economy of storytelling, the way that they write their scripts. Annoyingly, they just get it right every time. So I'm not afraid to rip off those practices that they use because it's inspiring, as a filmmaker, to see these guys make these perfect films all the time."

Waititi has been heavily involved with a number of projects through Disney, in addition to his acting role in Lightyear. Waititi has written and directed Thor: Ragnarok and the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder for Marvel Studios, in addition to appearing as the rocky hero Korg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Waititi has also directed an episode of The Mandalorian while appearing as robotic assassin IG-11 and is developing a new Star Wars film project for Lucasfilm.

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Waititi and Evans are joined in Lightyear by Keke Palmer, Peter Sohn, and Dale Soules as the motley crew that Buzz Lightyear teams up with to oppose the fearsome Emperor Zurg. The film presents a movie-within-a-movie story as the favorite film of Toy Story character Andy and inspiration for his Buzz Lightyear action figure, and audiences have been enjoying the nostalgia (even if it plays a bit safe).

Directed and co-written by Angus MacLane, Lightyear is in theaters everywhere.