It's been over three decades since the first Toy Story movie hit theaters, and the beloved franchise shows no signs of slowing down. With Toy Story 5 on the horizon, director and co-writer Andrew Stanton, co-writer Kenna Harris, and producer Lindsey Collins sat down to discuss the film's fresh direction, the challenges of keeping the series relevant, and why they believe there's "never an end in sight" for Woody, Buzz, and the gang.
The new installment finds Bonnie at age eight, navigating the tricky waters of elementary school friendships. But this time, the toys face a new rival: the Lilypad tablet, a device that has captured the attention of Bonnie and her classmates. As Bonnie becomes engrossed in her new gadget, her toys feel neglected—a timely commentary on the digital age that feels both fresh and familiar.
Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris on Turning Fan Fiction Into Reality
Stanton, who has been involved in every Toy Story script since the original, finally steps into the director's chair for the franchise. "It's nothing I ever planned for," he admitted, "but it just felt like the right time." He credits his experience directing other projects for giving him the confidence to take on this iconic series.
Harris, a lifelong fan who grew up with the characters, described the surreal experience of co-writing with Stanton. "I briefly felt intimidated because Andrew basically wrote my entire childhood," she laughed. "But after all the vomiting—nerves, you know—I just fell right into it." Stanton praised Harris's instincts, noting that her fan fiction background brought fresh perspectives that complemented his own ideas.
Lindsey Collins on the Weight of Toy Story's Legacy
Collins, who first worked on the franchise with Toy Story 2, described the unique pressure of producing a fifth film. "Toy Story has its own kind of place, both in the world and at Pixar," she said. "It feels very much at the core of our DNA." She emphasized the excitement of revisiting beloved characters, especially Jessie, who was introduced in Toy Story 2. "We always get equally giddy when we get to see the characters come back alive."
Collins also acknowledged the high expectations. "We go into it knowing full well that there is a very high bar that we want to hit or surpass," she said. "It's good to be at the end of it and feel like we're excited for the world to see it."
Stanton on the Shift From Andy to Bonnie
Stanton revealed that the seeds for Toy Story 5 were planted during the making of Toy Story 3. "Once we realized, 'Let's let Andy go to college and close it up and hand it off to Bonnie,' it's not only the ending of one kid, it's the beginning of another," he explained. He sees Toy Story 4 not as the end of Woody's story, but as the start of Bonnie's journey.
With a new generation of children as their audience, Toy Story 5 feels like the dawn of a new era for Pixar's most beloved franchise. As Stanton put it, "Just that tiny shift makes all the difference."
For more on the future of the franchise, check out Tom Hanks Teases Mamma Mia 3 Progress, Talks Toy Story 5 with Tim Allen and Shang-Chi 2 Still in the Works, Director Destin Daniel Cretton Confirms.
