Toy Story 5 Updates So Far
- cowgirlamanda95
- Jul 28, 2025
- 4 min read
About a year ago, during D23 in Anaheim, California, Pete Doctor took the stage and announced Toy Story 5 is coming! This was met with roars of cheers as a teaser was shown along with some concept art. Director Andrew Stanton, who is a long-time Pixar veteran and has worked extensively on the Toy Story films, came out to give a synopsis on what to expect for Toy Story 5.
The summary Stanton gave is that Toy Story 5 will be about toys versus technology; the challenges they face when Bonnie becomes more interested in her tablet. There will also be an army of Buzz Lightyears (with whom look to be technological advanced than our Buzz) that will pose a threat in the story as well. Toy Story 5 is directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Jess Choi Smyth.
News for Toy Story 5 has picked up over the past couple months.
First, Tim Allen has gone on record, at least twice now, confirming he will be back as Buzz. He also gave fans some hints on what the story will be and has mentioned that the story "is a lot about Jessie" and that she has a "big trouble". In the same video he also confirms he and Woody (Tom Hanks) "realign".
In this next video, he backs up his previous tease about the film being "a story about Jessie" and that it is "very clever".
So naturally, knowing Jessie has taken on the role of sheriff, and seems to be Bonnie's new favorite toy, I am ECSTATIC that my favorite could be front and center in Toy Story 5. We are bound to get some good Buzz and Jessie couple moments hopefully, and really see the cowgirl shine. I can't even think of the what ifs because I get myself riled up!
This is why I want to sit back and enjoy the ride and updates as they come. Sure, I can't wait for it to get here, but the anticipation and excitement is also thrilling, and this year will be fantastic. The story focusing on Jessie's role adds a whole level of this being special to me and fellow Jessie fans.
There have been several cast confirmations as well. Tom Hanks and Tony Hale (Forky) confirmed their return to their characters on social media. Meanwhile, Conan O'Brien announced on his Instagram that he will be voicing a new character named Smarty Pants.
Furthermore, at the Disney/Pixar panel at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Paris, which took place on June 13, 2025, Pete Doctor confirmed the return of Joan Cusack as Jessie and Ernie Hudson as Combat Carl, to replace the late Carl Weathers.
Speaking of Annecy, during the panel, Pete Doctor gave us some more detailed information around Toy Story 5. We learn that the antagonist is a smart tablet named Lilypad. Doctor, according to Collider, is quoted saying the following:
"Toy Story 5, it's toy meets tech. If you remember from Toy Story 4, Woody has left the kids for a life of adventure with Bo and her friends, helping lots of toys in need. And Sheriff Jessie is now in charge of Bonnie's room with a recently deputized Buzz Lightyear to assist, and the rest of the toy gang is still there with the same sassy attitudes, Ham, Rex, Slinky, Potato Head.”
Bonnie, now eight years old, is showing more interest in her new smart tablet (Lilypad) and not so much in her beloved toys. Lilypad tries to explain to the toys it knows "what is best for Bonnie".
“That of course, puts her at odds with toys who have very different opinions about what Bonnie needs. Woody is called back to help. It's been a little bit since they've seen each other, and he and Buzz don't always see eye to eye. As Potato Head says in the movie, “It's nice to see them arguing again.”
Audiences at Annecy were also shown the opening of Toy Story 5. The scene that was shown depicted a bunch of stranded, high-tech Buzz Lightyear toys looking around dazed. You can read about what was shown in these articles:
So right now, that's about it with official, on-the-record, confirmed news. SIGGRAPH 2025 is approaching next month and there will be a Toy Story panel to celebrate the 30th anniversary, so I'll be keeping an eye out! As I have mentioned on social media, there's a lot of fake posters, trailers, images, news, and unofficial leaks, so please be weary. I only post and report news from Pixar, Disney, the actors, or creditable sources.
Pixar also has their official page for Toy Story 5 up: https://www.pixar.com/toy-story-5
When Toy Story 5 was announced, we were on the tail end of the pandemic, so of course, knowing this film is coming has not only brightened up my life, but other fans as well. Also, knowing the story potentially revolves around Jessie amplifies my excitement ten-fold.
I want to know, what are you excited for most in Toy Story 5?
Make sure you follow along on my socials or join my email list to not miss a blog post or any Toy Story/Pixar announcements!
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