Some thought that the story was complete when Andy went off to college in Toy Story 3. The writers of the celebrated franchise have exceeded expectations, though, buy taking the story of toys sharing their lives to greater heights and deeper depths with Toy Story 4.
“All of these films are Woody’s story,” Toy Story director James Cooley reveals. “I think of [Toy Story] 3 as the end of Woody’s time with Andy. So now he’s in this brand new room, this is the beginning of his time with Bonnie … That puts him in a situation that we’ve never seen before, and a lot of great stuff came out of that.”
The story of Woody continues to evolve as Toy Story 4 gives the main character the option of leaving Bonnie for life without kid ownership. Even with the antique store scare in which Gabby Gabby tries to destroy Woody in hopes of repairing her broken voice box, the beloved Sherrif must decide if he wants to go back to Bonnie or enjoy life in the world as a free toy.
Woody’s love, Bo Peep, certainly seems to embrace the good life sans a specific child to call her own. She spends her days at the local playground where dozens of kids play with her every day. Bo emerges as a completely transformed toy. Gone is the innocent toy that watched over Andy’s little sister. Bo is now an independent product who some may regard as a sort of feminist.
The masterminds behind Toy Story 4 want viewers to become one with the characters. As Cooley explains, “A lot of people grew up with these characters, they have a strong nostalgia for them, and they feel like family to them.” The creators of the upcoming film do not, however, want moviegoers to equate the characters with actual people. Such is the reason why there are subtle details in Bo’s makeup that remind viewers that she is porcelain and subject to break at any time.
You can see the brilliance that went into making Toy Story 4 when the film hits theaters on June 21, 2019. Catch the movie’s trailer below!
Photo: Disney/Pixar
