A new Cars 2 featurette entitled “Back into Cars 2″ has just been released by Disney Pixar. The clip features John Lasseter, the film’s director (and also the director behind Toy Story 1 and 2 and A Bug’s Life), talking about the inspiration behind the new movie as well as its basic plot. And, oh boy, is it an original take on an animated film!

While the movie boasts a group of the same characters as in the original film, such as Lightning McQueen voiced by Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers), Sally Carrera voiced by Bonnie Hunt (Cheaper By the Dozen), Luigi voiced by Tony Shalhoub (Monk) and Mater voiced by Larry the Cable Guy (Blue Collar TV), the new film is also joined by a group of new characters including Michael Caine’s Finn McMissile, John Turturro’s Francesco Bernoulli, Emily Mortimer’s Holley Shiftwell and Joe Mantegna’s Grem.

This time around–and perhaps to make up for the fact that they are missing two quintessential voices in this sequel: both the late Paul Newman and the late George Carlin– the film’s characters travel the world, going to Tokyo, Japan, a seaside town in Italy and London, England, because Lightning McQueen is invited to compete in the race, the World Grand Prix.

What ensues is not only a typical animated film in which the main characters must learn to work together, but also a spy, action film taking place in exotic locales and with entertaining voices. As the featurette makes clear, Cars 2 is not only NOT your typical sequel, but it’s also not your typical Disney Pixar animated feat.

Watch the featurette below. Cars 2 opens everywhere June 24, 2011.