Director Andrew Stanton is standing by the latest addition to the beloved Pixar franchise, “Toy Story 5,” amidst concerns that the series may be stretched too thin with numerous sequels. In an interview with Empire magazine, Stanton, who previously won Oscars for “Finding Nemo” and “Wall-E,” dissected the franchise into its original trilogy and the subsequent films, including 2019’s “Toy Story 4” and the soon-to-be-released fifth installment. He emphasized that as the relationship between children and toys evolves, there is no upper limit to the number of “Toy Story” films that can be created.
Stanton clarified that while “Toy Story 3” served as a conclusion to the “Andy years,” the franchise is not devoid of potential future stories. “Nobody’s being robbed of their trilogy. They can have that and never watch another if they don’t want to,” he remarked. He expressed his love for how the franchise captures the notions of time and change, suggesting that the narrative should not remain static.
In “Toy Story 5,” Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and their friends are set to confront a tablet named Lilypad that closely resembles modern technology. Stanton indicated that the film is less about confrontation and more about grappling with an existential dilemma: the declining engagement of children with traditional toys. He pointed out that while technology has significantly altered lives, the film aims to explore the implications of these changes for both the current generation and their children.
Six years after the release of “Toy Story 4,” which not only became the series’ highest-grossing entry with $1 billion at the global box office but also secured an Oscar for best animated feature, fans are eagerly awaiting this new addition. The voice cast will reprise their iconic roles with Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz, alongside Joan Cusack as Jessie, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, and Tony Hale as Forky. Notably, Conan O’Brien joins the cast as Smarty Pants, while “Past Lives” star Greta Lee voices Lilypad.
“Toy Story 5” is set to premiere in theaters on June 19, 2026, under the banners of Disney and Pixar, promising yet another adventure in the beloved animated series that resonates with both nostalgia and contemporary themes.