The “Toy Story” franchise ended on a lovely note with “Toy Story 3”, but considering how it was the first feature-length computer animated film produced by Pixar, Disney doesn’t want to be done with it just yet.
In the past, the movies have always been ixated on the relationship between Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll and Buzz Lightyear, an astronaut action figure. But over the weekend, Disney Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter confirmed the plot for “Toy Story 4“, revealing that they will now focuson the relationship between Woody and his love interest, Bo Peep.
During the D23 Expo, Lasseter confirmed that the 4th “Toy Story” movie will “be a love story” between Woody and Bo Peep. He added, “At Pixar and at Disney, we only make sequels if we come up with a story that’s as good or better than the original. That’s our rule. We don’t do things just to print money.”
That statement holds true for some of Pixar’s most popular animated feature films. Movies like “Up”, “WALL-E”, and “Brave” haven’t got sequels lined up yet but when the studio finally plans sequels for their films, it would usually take years for them to complete it.
Case in point, the “Toy Story” franchise. The first “Toy Story” movie, which was directed by Lasseter, was released in 1995. Its sequel was released 4 years later (1999) while the 3rd film was released in 2010, which is 11 years after “Toy Story 2” was released.
As the story in the past 3 films usually centres on the friendship between Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the 4th film will mark the first time ever for the studio to focus on the relationship between Woody and Bo Peep.
First introduced in the original 1995 “Toy Story”, Bo Peep was voiced by Annie Potts (of “Ghostbusters” fame). Though she is Woody’s love interest, she has a short-lived appearance onscreen and only appeared in a home move flashback in “Toy Story 3”. Her situation remains a much-debated mystery and it is unclear whether the next film will be a prequel or a sequel.
Lasseter will return to direct alongside Josh Cooley. Actors-turned-screenwriters Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, who previously penned and starred in “Celeste and Jesse Forever”, will be penning the script for “Toy Story 4”. They’re working from a story idea by Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, and Lee Unkrich. Pixar’s Galyn Susman will produce.
The studio hasn’t announced the official voice cast members, but Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack are expected to return.
“Toy Story 4” is currently slated for release on 16th June 2017.
Source: comingsoon.net via CNBC.
