'Cars 2' Enters Into the World of Espionage

The new 'Cars' sequel will be exploring a subject usually thought to be a little too heavy for a Disney cartoon - espionage.

In 'Cars 2,' Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy once again lend their voices to Lightning McQueen and Mater as they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine who is the fastest car on the globe. As the competition races through the streets of Europe and Japan, Mater gets caught up in some intriguing international espionage with the help of Finn McMissile (voiced by Michael Caine) and must fend off secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.

Oscar-winning director John Lasseter explained how the idea for the new movie came about, saying, "When we finished making the movie 'Cars' I was traveling around the world doing publicity for the movie. We were in Tokyo and looking at all the lights, going to the roundabouts in Paris and I kept thinking about 'If we do another movie with these characters, I would love to take them around the world.'"

John Turturro joins the cast playing Francesco Bernoulli, a cocky European driver who Owen Wilson described as "somebody that you'd really want to beat."

'Cars 2' roars into theaters June 24.