Woody and Buzz's emotional farewell at the end of Toy Story 4 left many wondering about the future of the beloved franchise. Now, with Toy Story 5 slated for release on June 19, 2026, a surprising detail has emerged, hinting at a significant shift in focus within the toy box.
Tim Allen, the iconic voice behind Buzz Lightyear, recently dropped a potential bombshell, revealing that while everyone's favorite space ranger will reunite with Woody (Tom Hanks), the upcoming sequel will shine a brighter spotlight on another cherished character: Jessie, the cowgirl.
Speaking in a recent interview, Allen teased, "I can tell you that it’s a lot about Jessie. Tom [Hanks] and I do — Woody and I — do realign. And there’s an unbelievable opening scene with Buzz Lightyears. I can give you that, but I can’t give you much more."
While Allen remained tight-lipped on specific plot points, this revelation certainly offers a tantalizing glimpse into the direction Pixar is taking with the fifth installment. After four films largely centered on the dynamic duo of Woody and Buzz, a shift towards Jessie could inject fresh energy and explore new character dynamics within the established world.
Adding another familiar element, it has been confirmed that Andrew Stanton, who stepped back to allow Josh Cooley to direct Toy Story 4, will be returning to the director's chair for Toy Story 5. Stanton is a veteran of the franchise, having co-written the original Toy Story and its subsequent sequels, as well as directing Pixar classics like Finding Nemo and WALL-E.
The Toy Story saga, which began its genre-shifting run in 1995, has become a cornerstone of animated cinema, grossing over $3 billion worldwide and earning two consecutive Best Animated Feature Academy Awards for its two most recent entries. While the focus may be shifting, the pedigree behind the project certainly remains strong.
Interestingly, Allen's tease of a "realignment" between Woody and Buzz after their separate paths in Toy Story 4 suggests that the core friendship that has anchored the series will still play a significant role.
Could Toy Story 5 delve deeper into Jessie's backstory or explore her relationships with the other toys in a more profound way? Will the film address the evolving role of toys in a world increasingly dominated by technology, a theme hinted at by Pixar executives? There's also the growing romantic relationship between Buzz and Jessie, that has been a minor subplot across several films.
For now, fans will have to hold onto these intriguing breadcrumbs. But one thing is clear: Toy Story 5 is shaping up to offer a familiar yet potentially surprising new adventure for Andy's beloved gang of toys.