What Lies Ahead for Pixar's Toy Story Franchise? Insights from Andrew Stanton
Toy Story 5 Marks a Triumphant Return
After a lengthy seven-year break, fans of Pixar were thrilled to see their favorite characters—Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and Jessie (Joan Cusack)—return in Toy Story 5, which debuted in theaters worldwide on June 19. This installment is directed by Andrew Stanton, a former writer for the series and the mind behind Finding Nemo. In this latest adventure, Bonnie's toys face a new challenge as technology begins to invade their space. As they tackle this issue, the creative team is already pondering future storylines, particularly for Bonnie's character.
Andrew Stanton Discusses Future of Toy Story
Andrew Stanton hints at Toy Story 6 and Bonnie's journey
In a recent interview with Dexerto, Stanton was asked about his vision for the franchise over the next three decades. While he kept specific plans under wraps, he highlighted that the core of the story has always revolved around children, first focusing on Andy and now on Bonnie. He described Andy's arc in Toy Story 3 as a "perfect trilogy" for that character.
Stanton expressed hope that if the series continues, it will also complete Bonnie's trilogy. Producer Lindsey Collins echoed this sentiment, sharing her enjoyment of following both Andy's and Bonnie's stories over the years.
The Future of Toy Story: Is Toy Story 6 Coming?
Is a Toy Story 6 on the horizon?
Given the impressive box office results of Toy Story 5, the likelihood of a sixth installment seems promising. The film earned $71 million from 4,425 theaters on its opening day, June 19, and is poised to achieve the highest opening weekend in the franchise's history. For comparison, Toy Story 4 made $120 million during its debut weekend in 2019, and Toy Story 5 still has two more days to boost its earnings.
Additionally, the original films have not matched the success of Pixar's other franchises, with the latest sequel, Inside Out 2, grossing $1.699 billion worldwide.
Meet the Voice Cast of Toy Story 5
Who comprises the voice cast in Toy Story 5?
Returning to the franchise are Jessie (Cusack), Woody (Hanks), and Buzz Lightyear (Allen), alongside a host of new characters. Scarlett Spears voices Bonnie, the eight-year-old owner of the toys, while Greta Lee lends her voice to Lilypad, Bonnie's tablet. Former talk show host Conan O'Brien voices Smarty Pants, a tech toy designed for toilet training, and Shelby Rabara voices Snappy, a toy camera. Mykal-Michelle Harris portrays Blaze Manoukian, a young girl living on a farm, and Craig Robinson voices Atlas, a GPS hippo toy.