Toy Story 3 introduced a plethora of new characters to the cast of toys. Some of those would be Trixie, Mr. Pricklepants, Barbie, and Ken. While some of those newer characters will be returning in the upcoming fourth instalment, at least one will not. Barbie's true love of Ken, who was played by Michael Keaton, will not feature in
Toy Story 4.
The character featured only in the third instalment, as well as the
Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation animated short, and that appears to be how it will remain unless a
Toy Story 5 is made.
Comicbook.com recently paid a visit to Pixar Animation Studios where they spoke with Toy Story 4's director, Josh Cooley, and the film's producers: Jonas Rivera and Mark Nielsen.
Upon being asked whether Michael Keaton would be reprising the role of Ken, Cooley immediately and definitely confirmed that the character will not be appearing in the fourth instalment.
"Ken is not in this film. He's back at Sunnyside [Day Care]," were Cooley's words.
Rivera continued, stating that the film is fillled to the brim with characters as it is, so they had to make some tough calls in deciding who gets left out.
"We love Ken too, [there's] a lot of character."
Woody 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. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.
Toy Story 4 is set to arrive in theatres on June 21st, 2019.