Sterling Dunn is the overarching protagonist of Pixar's's 18th full-lenght animated feauture film Cars 3. Unlike his final script, he acts as a mentor to Lightning McQueen (alongside Cruz Ramirez) against Jackson Storm.
Like his final script, he was voiced by Nathan Fillion.
Biography[]
More Than a New Paint[]
Sterling would have realized that Cruz Ramirez, McQueen’s trainer, was the one more fit for the track. In this scene, Sterling corners Lightning McQueen in a garage and tells him that it’s time to quit competing.
Sterling takes the pragmatic view that McQueen can become an even bigger brand after he stops racing. McQueen could make even more doing sponsorships than racing could ever offer, Sterling argues. McQueen wants to race, though. He has no interest in pitching tires.
At the end of the scene, Sterling strips off McQueen’s racing numbers and says that he’s no longer on the entry list. Ramirez will take McQueen’s place. Ramirez doesn't look happy at all, but McQueen says that she has to race. An announcement is made on the PA system that McQueen will not race, disappointing the crowd. At the last second, though, Tex Dinoco gives McQueen a position on the Dinoco team, and thus he is able to enter the race.
There are reportedly two versions of this scene. An earlier version would have revealed that Cruz Ramirez was actually smug and egotistical, seeking to learn McQueen's secrets and then usurp his position; this was rejected for making her a female version of Jackson Storm; whether or not McQueen was still hired by Dinoco and then won the race is unknown.
Cars 3[]
Sterling is introduced by Dusty and Rusty when Lightning McQueen arrives to the new racing center. He actually wants to be a huge fan of McQueen and seems to be very honored to be his new sponsor. He's by his side as Lightning observes his entire career and victories immortalized on low walls. Sterling then gives the racer a makeover, shows him around and introduces him to Cruz Ramirez.
When Lightning tries the simulator, Sterling can't wait to see what he's capable of. However, he is quickly disappointed when he sees McQueen about to crash into the screen, and leaves.
After having a talk with Cruz, Sterling shows to Lightning his mud-flaps with McQueen in effigy. He wants the latter to stop the race to serve as a business icon, seeing this as a legacy. McQueen does make a deal, however, in the event that if he wins the race in Florida he will decide when to stop racing but if he loses he will work in advertising for Sterling.
Sterling reappears at the end, while racing alongside Smokey and Lightning's friends. The business car notices Cruz and orders her to leave the place to train the cars to the center. He then mocks her customization reminding her that she isn't a racer. But during the stop, Lightning calls Cruz back to take over for the race. Sterling opposes it but Mater pushes him away, while the pit crew prepares Ramirez.
When the coach wins, Sterling wants to have her as a pilot but Cruz refuses when she is chosen as the new face for Dinoco. Sterling then calls Lightning back for his new job but is confused when he sees him on the notice board for winning the race with Cruz. Tex then approaches Sterling to discuss the matter while Cruz celebrates her victory. We later learn that Tex bought Rust-eze.
It's presumed that Sterling was formerly CEO and headed to other companies or being unemployed along with leftover money (along Jackson Storm is still continue to race) after his acquistion of Rusteze-Dinoco Agreement.
Creation and development[]
According to director Brian Fee, Sterling's design drew inspiration from European cars of the 1960s, which he described as "incredibly stylish, with almost a dainty quality. Small, kind of sporty, extremely confident". Further refining Sterling's appearance, Ford's former design chief, J Mays, contributed to his look. The design team aimed for a timeless aesthetic, incorporating elements reminiscent of classic 1970s BMWs and the tailored style of characters from shows like Mad Men.
Sterling embodies the intersection of tradition and innovation in the racing industry. While he doesn't undergo a dramatic transformation, his actions and decisions significantly impact the trajectories of other characters, emphasizing the importance of personal choice and the evolving nature of legacy. Some of Fillion's mannerisms were actually incorporated into the car. He tends to talk out of the right side of his mouth, and so does Sterling — something he didn't notice until he saw the movie. "I said, 'Hey, that's totally what I do!', so it's actually honest."
In one of his concept arts, he was supposed to be a mix of Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and a BMW, while his model is a bit similar to Pope Pinion IV's model, it should be said that his model is very similar to the 1971 BMW 2002 Turbo.
Sterling is originally going to be the overarching protagonist of Cars 3 as McQueen's mentor and trainer in the movie (with Jackson Storm as the main antagonist), according to the film's promos. When the film is released, Sterling is revealed to be the film's true main antagonist, making Storm the overarching antagonist instead.
External Links[]
- Sterling on the Disney Wiki.
- Sterling on the Unpublished Heroes Wiki
- Sterling on the Conflicting Evil Wiki (final script)
- Sterling on the Antagonists Wiki (final script)
- Sterling on the Pixar Cars Wiki
- Sterling on the Pixar Wiki
- Sterling on the Neutral Characters Wiki (final script)
- Sterling on the Hate Sink Wiki (final script)
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 Villains
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The Yellow Car Boom!Studios Comics Cars 2 | ||