Toy Story 5 Director Reveals Why Pixar Returned to the Franchise 7 Years Later

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After eight years, a new Toy Story movie is coming to theaters this summer. Director Andrew Stanton, a long-time member of the Pixar team, recently shared why they decided to bring Woody and Buzz back to the big screen now.

Pixar decided to make Toy Story 5 because of the changing role of technology, not a desire to create more toys, according to a recent Empire interview with director Pete Stanton. He explained that technology inevitably captures our attention – both children and adults – and presents no real competition. This idea, focusing on tech’s dominance, became the core concept for the new film.

As a film lover, I found what the director said really resonated with me. He described how they started with a simple idea – imagining a child playing with toys, then introducing a screen – and just followed where that led. It was all about acknowledging a very real issue: how technology has kind of taken over kids’ playtime. The character of Lily, he explained, really embodies that struggle – she represents the challenge we’re facing in getting kids to engage with the world around them instead of just screens.

It’s Toys vs. Tech in Toy Story 5

Toy Story 5 takes place three years after Toy Story 4. Bonnie, who has owned the toys since the end of Toy Story 3, is now eight years old and is starting to focus more on friends and social life than playing with her toys, as of June 2025.

Bonnie wants to feel more connected, so her parents get her a Lilypad – a new tablet device with voice work by actress Greta Lee, known from Past Lives and Tron: Ares. But the arrival of Lilypad throws a wrench into playtime for Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and the other toys, leading to the question: will things ever be the same?

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back as Woody and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 5, and Joan Cusack returns as Jessie. Many other familiar voices are also reprising their roles, including Tony Hale as Forky, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, Annie Potts as Bo Peep, Bonnie Hunt as Dolly, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom, and Melissa Villaseñor as Karen Beverly.

Joining the cast alongside Lee are Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, Craig Robinson as Atlas, Shelby Rabara as Snappy, Mykal-Michelle Harris as Blaze, and Matty Matheson as Dr. Nutcase. Scarlett Spears, Jeff Bergman, Anna Vocino, John Hopkins, and Ernie Hudson will provide the voices for Bonnie, Mr. Potato Head, Mrs. Potato Head, Mr. Pricklepants, and Combat Carl, respectively.

More Pixar Sequels Are on the Way

Pixar has announced plans for a fifth Toy Story movie, kicking off a wave of four sequels expected over the next ten years. The studio will also revisit the world of The Incredibles with a third film. While Brad Bird, who created the franchise, wrote the screenplay for Incredibles 3, Peter Sohn will direct the movie.

Pixar is working on a new Coco sequel. Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina are returning to direct, and Pete Docter announced the project last month, along with details of two other original films in development.

Toy Story 5 is scheduled to hit theaters on June 19, 2026.

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2026-04-08 18:14