While I was out in San Francisco a few months ago, I had the pleasure of hanging out at Pixar Animation Studios courtesy of Disney! It was a blast and I learned SO much! Just how they put these fun animations together, developing characters and so on. We got to see how they start from just a thought to actually drawing it out, making story boards and working with tons of teams and so much more! I was there to see the making of Toy Story 4 and boy did it blow me away!
I will never forget seeing the very first Toy Story and I took my kids to see it! It was 2010 and I loved it. Now they have number 4 coming out on June 21st and I had the pleasure of seeing an advanced screening last night. You guys are in for a treat and great family film. I wanted to share with you some things that “I learned” and you can also see a few new images and the trailer inside, enjoy!
- WOODY is the same pull-string cowboy sheriff that Andy fell in love with years ago. But despite the fact that he’s found a new home with Bonnie and her toys, Woody is quietly struggling. “He’s basically going through the toy equivalent of empty-nest syndrome,” says screenwriter Andrew Stanton. “It’s not that he doesn’t have a kid, but his role has completely changed. I think parents of older children will recognize that right away. Woody’s trying to use his old ways of solving new problems.”According to producer Mark Nielsen, change is on the horizon. “Woody has gone through so much in the first three movies. We’ve seen him evolve and learn, but we couldn’t repeat any of those lessons because he’s already learned them. We wanted him to face something new.”Tom Hanks returns as the voice of Woody. “He knows the character so well,” says Cooley. “I don’t think Woody would work without Tom Hanks. He’s such a fearful character, yet Tom conveys his fears in such a lovable way.”
Actor Tom Hanks/Voice of Woody
- FORKY is not a toy! At least that’s what he thinks. An actual spork-turned-craft-project, Forky is pretty sure that he doesn’t belong in Bonnie’s room. Unfortunately, every time he tries to get away, someone yanks him back into an adventure he’d rather skip. “The world of Toy Story is built upon the idea that everything in the world has a purpose,” says Cooley. “A toy’s purpose is to be there for its child. But what about toys that are made out of other objects? Forky is a toy that Bonnie made out of a disposable spork, so he’s facing a crisis. He wants to fulfill his purpose as a spork, but now has a new toy purpose thrust upon him.”Woody—ever the caretaker—assumes the role of Forky’s keeper, which in the beginning, just means keeping him out of the trash. “We loved the idea of Forky,” says producer Jonas Rivera. “He doesn’t understand the rules of the world, so he doesn’t play by the rules, which really makes the story feel fun and new. But it makes life hard for Woody who’s just trying to help Forky understand the importance of his kid.”
Filmmakers called on comedian Tony Hale to provide the voice of Forky. Says Cooley, “When we thought up this character, Tony was the first actor that came to mind and I’m thrilled he accepted. Tony’s performance as Forky is a comedy salad of confidence, confusion and empathy… served by hilarious spork.”
Actor Tony Hale/Voice of Forky
- BO PEEP is a long-lost friend of Woody, Buzz and the gang, who always shared a special connection with Woody while residing with her sheep on a lamp base at Andy’s house. “There is definitely love between them,” says Nielsen. “We see in the prologue just how hard it was for Woody to let her go.”After being separated for years, Bo has become chipped and discarded, but her spirit is far from broken. She has grown into an adventure-seeking free spirit whose strength and sarcasm belie her delicate porcelain exterior. When she and Woody are reunited under unlikely circumstances, Bo realizes just how much she’s missed him, and can’t wait to show him what she’s been up to. “Bo’s taken control of her own destiny,” says Cooley. “While Woody was watching Andy grow up, Bo gathered dust until she took it upon herself to head out into the world. And when Woody shows up, they can’t believe that they’ve found each other again.”According to screenwriter Stephany Folsom, Bo and Woody first connected as leaders of their respective rooms. “Woody ran Andy’s room, overseeing the toys there, and Bo was in charge in Molly’s room,” says Folsom. “There’s a certain responsibility that comes with running a room, and it’s clear that Bo is strong and in control.”
Annie Potts returns as the voice of Bo. “Annie not only brings emotion to Bo, she completely fleshes out that character,” says Cooley. “She’s heartwarming and funny, and Annie has a natural sarcasm that’s just perfect.
“We had a few sessions when Annie and Tom recorded together,” continues Cooley. “They’ve known each other for such a long time, there’s a natural chemistry between them that made it so easy.”
Actress Annie Potts/Voice of Bo
ABOUT “TOY STORY 4”:
Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So, when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”), and produced by Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”) and Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”), Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.
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Images provided by Disney/Pixar
