Toy Story 5 Director Announced, First Teaser Released

At the annual D23 showcase, Pixar shared exciting news about several upcoming projects, including the fifth installment of the beloved Toy Story franchise. Since Disney CEO Bob Iger announced this new addition back in early 2023, fans have eagerly awaited updates on the next adventures of their favorite toy characters.

In early June, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter hinted that a longtime Pixar veteran would be at the helm of this new movie. This news was officially confirmed during the D23 event. Andrew Stanton, a key figure in the Toy Story series since 1995, is returning to lead this highly anticipated project.

Although Andrew Stanton has not directed a Toy Story film before, he co-wrote the first four installments and was an executive producer on Toy Story 4. Stanton’s impressive directing credits include Finding Nemo, its follow-up Finding Dory, WALL-E, and A Bug’s Life. The newest teaser for Toy Story 5 doesn’t reveal much, but it does bring back beloved characters Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and the funny alien friends known for their fascination with “the claw.”

Following the release of Lightyear, which saw Chris Evans voicing Buzz Lightyear, fans were critical of the film. Docter acknowledged this and mentioned that perhaps they had asked too much of the audience. With Stanton back, there is a chance to reconnect the Toy Story series to its core elements. In an interview with The Wrap in 2023, Docter described the upcoming Toy Story installment as “surprising” and hinted that it would include some exciting and unseen elements.

Last year, Tim Allen, who has voiced Buzz Lightyear for nearly three decades, shared in an interview that both he and Tom Hanks had been contacted to reprise their roles. However, Allen expressed some hesitation, pondering if the franchise might be overextending itself. He mentioned hearing from a promising writer involved in the project, who assured him that the story would justify the movie’s continuation. “If I didn’t get this right, I wouldn’t do it,” Allen quoted, suggesting that Toy Story 5 might offer a compelling and fresh reunion.

Source: ComicBook