Andrew Stanton Takes the Helm for ‘Toy Story 5’ as Director and Writer, with a Toys vs. Tech Plotline Teased

Andrew Stanton will helm the upcoming installment in the iconic franchise. At D23, Stanton revealed that the story will focus on the toys facing a new challenge as they compete with electronics for kids’ attention.

Disney CEO Bob Iger had first announced the sequel in February 2023, alongside new entries in the “Frozen” and “Zootopia” franchises. While details were sparse at the time, it was hinted that the new film would return to the central narrative of Woody and Buzz, rather than exploring another spinoff like “Lightyear.”

Later, Tim Allen appeared on “The Tonight Show” and confirmed that Disney had approached both him and Tom Hanks about reprising their famous roles. Although Allen had initially been hesitant about continuing the series, questioning whether another sequel might be too much, he eventually shared that the writer involved had promised a compelling story, convincing him that the project was worth pursuing.

“Toy Story 4,” which hit theaters in 2019, was met with widespread praise and earned over $1 billion at the global box office. Despite fans’ concerns that a fourth film might undermine the perfect ending of “Toy Story 3,” it was embraced by audiences and critics alike. The film’s success solidified its status as a beloved chapter in the franchise, showing that the series still has plenty of heart and creativity left to explore.