Andrew Stanton, director of 'Toy Story 5,' has addressed concerns about extending the Pixar franchise, emphasizing how the series embraces time and change. In an interview with Empire magazine, Stanton explained that the film explores the existential challenge of toys in a tech-dominated world. The movie arrives in theaters on June 19, 2026.
Director's Defense
Andrew Stanton, known for directing 'Finding Nemo' and 'Wall-E,' spoke to Empire magazine about the decision to produce 'Toy Story 5.' He views the franchise as divided into the original trilogy, which concluded the 'Andy years' with 'Toy Story 3,' and subsequent entries like 'Toy Story 4' from 2019 and the upcoming fifth film. 'Nobody’s being robbed of their trilogy. They can have that and never watch another if they don’t want to,' Stanton said. He highlighted the series' strength in 'embrace[ing] time and change,' noting there's no fixed limit to how many stories can be told as relationships between children and toys evolve.
Plot and Themes
'Toy Story 5' features Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the gang confronting an iPad-like device named Lilypad. Stanton described the story as 'not even really about a battle so much as the realization of an existential problem: that nobody’s really playing with toys anymore.' The film examines technology's impact on lives, particularly for children and toys. 'Technology has changed everybody’s lives, but we’re asking what that means for us — and to our kids. We can’t just get away with making tech the villain,' Stanton added.
Production Background
This installment follows 'Toy Story 4,' which grossed $1 billion worldwide and won the Oscar for best animated feature, like 'Toy Story 3' before it. Produced by Disney and Pixar, 'Toy Story 5' reunites key voice talent including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, Joan Cusack as Jessie, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, and Tony Hale as Forky. New additions are Conan O’Brien voicing Smarty Pants and Greta Lee as Lilypad.