Sterling (Cars)

“	I'm sorry. Your racing days are coming to an end.	„
	~ Sterling to McQueen

Sterling Burnish Dunn is the secondary antagonist of the 2017 Pixar's full-length animated feature film Cars 3.

He is the owner of the Rust-eze Racing Center, an elite training facility with the latest technology. It appears that he also intends to run Rust-eze out of a personal office at the Racing Center. Sterling made his fortune as the 'mudflap king' of the eastern seaboard. While Lightning McQueen didn't know of him, Tow Mater did, stating that he does "make a quality mudflap at an affordable price."

He was voiced by Nathan Fillion, who also voiced Johnny Worthington III from Monsters University.

Biography[]

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.

Personality[]

Sterling is arrogant, not-so-greedy and very supervised ceo. He also has no real loyalty toward those who race for him and cares only that they can win and if he feels they are too slow and or past their prime he will refuse to race them unlike Tex and Rusty and Dusty who actually care about their racers.

Nathan Fillion described him as a character who does not try to get people to think he is "charming": "Anytime you say something about a quality of a character that's 'charming,' I think a lot of people make the mistake and think of skeevy, but charming is someone who admires you, can disarm you, and gain your trust. He's not being interesting, he's being interested. He's not, 'Hey there, I'm great,' which is not charming. He's 'Hey there, you're great.'"

Physical Appearance[]

Sterling is painted silver, and has blue eyes. According to Brian Fee, Sterling's design was inspired by European cars from the 1960s, as he quoted: "They're incredibly stylish, with almost a dainty quality. Small, kind of sporty, extremely confident."

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

Sterling has Miles Axlerod's picture at office. Some assumed that he worked with him, but it was never really confirmed. He will be a False Lemon and he is not a terrorist like these villains in Cars 2.
According to director Brian Fee, Sterling's design was made to feel timeless, and takes inspiration from European cars of the '60s, which Fee describes as "incredibly stylish, with almost a dainty quality. Small, kind of sporty, extremely confident", qualities which he found reflected well Sterling's personality.
The design is very similar to the BMW CS Homage design with the exception of the elimination of the kidney grille to disguise it.
Nathan Fillion previously voiced Johnny Worthington III in Monsters University.
His concept was a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT.
His model is a bit similar to Pope Pinion IV's model.
Nathan Fillion says Sterling is nothing more than a business professional. "You know what, I think at his heart he's a business man first. At his heart, he wants to protect his investment, which is Lightning McQueen. He wants to protect that brand."
Kay-Pillar Durev from Cars on the Road has the same model like Sterling.

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