Taylor Swift's involvement in Toy Story 5 may be larger than a new original song, if a new rumor is to be believed.
Fresh off the confirmation that Taylor Swift penned and produced "I Knew It, I Knew You" for Pixar’s Toy Story 5, speculation is mounting that the pop icon will pull double duty. Rumors suggest the singer is also lending her voice to the film as a new character named Melody Belle, a ballerina figurine from a vintage music box.
Neither Disney/Pixar nor Swift have confirmed her role in the film beyond the new original track, though we did also speculate that her involvement could extend beyond music.
Swift didn't make any mention of her rumored new character when announcing her new track, though it's possible they are still trying to keep a few big surprises for fans.
The new song, "I Knew It, I Knew You," will be released and available to all on June 5th, two weeks before Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19th.
"’I've always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a 5 year old kid watching the first Toy Story movie," the singer wrote on Instagram. "I fell instantly in love with Toy Story 5 when I was lucky enough to see it in its early stages, and I wrote this song as soon as I got home from the screening. Sometimes you just know, right?"
According to the press release, Swift's song is inspired by cowgirl Jessie's “ongoing journey in ‘Toy Story 5’ that began back in ‘Toy Story 2.’” Reports suggest Toy Story 5 will feature another emotional flashback scene with Jessie and her original owner Emily after she returns to her home.
While Taylor Swift is best known as a 14-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, she has also built an impressive acting resume over the years, appearing in films such as Valentine's Day, The Lorax, The Giver, Cats, and Amsterdam. She has also made memorable television appearances and documentary features, showcasing her versatility beyond the music industry.
Swift has collaborated with Disney on several occasions, most notably through Disney+ releases, which includes the exclusive release of Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) on the streaming service. Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessons, an intimate special that also included behind-the-scenes discussions about the album, was also released on Disney+.
I’ve long maintained that a Disney-Taylor Swift partnership would be an absolute goldmine. To this day, I firmly believe Disney missed a massive opportunity by passing on Swift and going with the Muppets for the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster rebrand at Hollywood Studios. But with her involvement in Toy Story 5, it makes me wonder if there is a much larger collaboration finally in the works? Can you imagine Taylor Swift-inspired Minnie ears at the parks?