In Toy Story 2 (1999), he encounters other Buzz Lightyear action figures from the toyline who similarly believe themselves to be "real", including his in-universe archenemy and father Emperor Zurg.

His catchphrase "To infinity and beyond" has been described as one of the greatest film quotes of all time and he has been referenced in popular culture, including song lyrics by Beyoncé and Justin Bieber.

[4] Disney entered into the joint project with Pixar, then a young production studio chaired by Steve Jobs, for three computer-animated feature films in a $26 million deal.

The Pixar team working on the project included John Lasseter as director, screenwriters Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter, and Ed Catmull.

"[6] Worried about losing the deal with Disney, the Pixar team reworked the story concept within two weeks with the belief that toys could appeal to adults and teenagers.

In September 1991, the Pixar team drew up a new version in which the ventriloquist's dummy is already the favorite toy in the house and Tinny is introduced as its rival, which causes friction between the two characters.

[10] This character then went through various design iterations, initially named Lunar Larry, which was then changed to Tempus and then Morph, who wore a red space suit.

"[17] Originally, when a screen test was being made, Lasseter wanted Buzz to be voiced by Billy Crystal and used audio from the film When Harry Met Sally....

Fox, John Travolta, Adam Sandler, Dennis Quaid and Jason Alexander, who cited Chase as his idol and the reason he chose to accept the role.

Patrick Warburton also voiced the character in 2000 for Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, a 2D animated TV series based on the direct-to-video film.

From 2008 to 2016, a show titled Toy Story: The Musical on board Disney Cruise Line featured Buzz portrayed by Noel Orput.

[27] The casting announcement caused confusion in the media and prompted Hanks, who had remained friends with Allen since the first Toy Story film, to question why he had not been recast in the role.

Buzz accepts that he is not a space ranger while helping Woody to reach Andy in a moving van, where he activates his wings to glide through the air and proclaims that he is not flying, but "falling with style".

[43] Director Angus MacLane was influenced by his love of sci-fi action adventure films to imagine Buzz as he would appear to Andy in a blockbuster movie.

MacLane explained that Buzz's catchphrase "To infinity and beyond" was used to emphasise the character's story arc: "His personal and moral failure is the realization that he isn’t perfect, and the need to embrace his imperfections.

MacLane realised that employing the same plot point as in Toy Story 2 would not have worked with audiences because it would be expected: "What we were really going for was the idea that Buzz's greatest enemy is himself, literally and figuratively".

He further believes that his red light bulb "laser" is a deadly weapon, his wings are functional aircraft-grade steel, and that he cannot breathe with his helmet open.

Woody invites the other Roundup toys to come with them; Jessie and Bullseye agree, but Stinky Pete refuses and locks them in (and Buzz out) when they try to escape.

When Woody and Bonnie's new favorite toy, Forky, are separated from the group during an RV trip, Buzz, guided by his "inner voice", pursues them into a carnival.

[49] The film, which was directed by Angus MacLane, tells the story of young astronaut Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Evans) who, after being marooned on a hostile planet with his commander and crew and a talking robot cat called Sox, tries to find a way back home while confronting a threat to the universe's safety.

[71] Anne Osberg, the president of Disney Consumer Products admitted that she had underestimated the merchandising potential of the Toy Story characters when compared to Mickey Mouse: "I saw Buzz as not competitive with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".

[82] In 2012, it was donated to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.[83] In 2009, Disney announced new merchandise for the Toy Story franchise, including an Ultimate Buzz Lightyear robot and the Lego Toy Story product line, which was introduced with the construction of a five-foot model of Buzz Lightyear built from 40,000 Lego bricks shown at the Licensing International Expo in June 2009.

[87] Buzz Lightyear has also been featured in numerous other licensed merchandise produced by various brands, including action figures by Mattel, costumes, clothing and accessories.

[91] The Los Angeles Times considered Buzz to be "one of 'Toy Story's' pleasant surprises" citing his "self-absorbed and delusional" personality and his inability to realize that he is a toy.

[92] Owen Gleiberman writing for Entertainment Weekly found Buzz to be both "hilarious and touching", noting his egotistical and macho character and commenting, "His belief in his own superpowers, notably the ability to fly, is so complete that the very innocence of his self-delusion becomes oddly charming.

"[93] Richard Corliss of Time highlighted that in Toy Story 2, Buzz finally achieves his destiny as an action hero by leading a team to rescue Woody.

He described Allen's voice as "sweet doltishness" and commented that his "tinny" tone worked well in conveying an emptiness inside Buzz's head.

In an initial reaction to the film's announcement, The Guardian's Ben Child expressed bewilderment, commenting that Buzz had always been defined by his "toy-ness" since his first appearance and felt that it was impossible to expect an audience to reimagine him after several decades.

[100] Nicholas Barber of the BBC found Buzz's characterization in the film to be unsatisfying, describing him as "a lot less endearing than the swaggering lunk we know and love from Toy Story" and commenting that the writers had failed to define who he is.

[102] Film journalist Helen O'Hara wrote in The Guardian that it was just another example of an unnecessary origin story for a character that had already appeared onscreen "fully formed".