It was announced today that Pixar will return to the franchise that started it all. That's right, the studio is making a return to the franchise that literally changed the animated film genre back in 2005, Toy Story, in 2017 with Toy Story 4. And Disney/Pixar didn't stop there. The bigger news is that it will be helmed by John Lasseter. For those aren't familiar with Lasseter by name, if you loved Toy Story and Toy Story 2 then you have him to thank as he directed both classics.
Said Lasseter of the upcoming film and legendary franchise, "We love these characters so much; they are like family to us. We don't want to do anything with them unless it lives up to or surpasses what's gone before." The new film will feature first time writers for the franchise in Rashida Jones (of Parks and Recreation fame) and her writing partner Will McCormack. And while has been no word on whether or not Tom Hanks, Tim Allen or any of the other fantastic voice actors will return, I have to believe that the film wouldn't be getting made without them (especially considering their involvement in the few shorts and television specials that have been released since 2010).
Many fans, including yours truly (and even those in Pixar), are a bit apprehensive about bringing back a franchise that many felt ended on the perfect note. The first thing that pops into my mind are thoughts of Michael Jordan returning to the NBA after ending his career on the highest of notes with the Washington Wizards, BUT this is not basketball and this IS Pixar. The people involved are the same ones who brought us Up, Monster's Inc., Finding Nemo and Toy Story 3. In fact, name me a bad Pixar film. Not your least favorite Pixar film, but an actual bad Pixar film. You can't. These guys do not put out bad films. Why would they start now?
Lasseter brought us the first Toy Story back in 1995, and he has a deep love for these characters. Why would he do anything to jeopardize their legacy? Not only that, but ever since Lasseter became Chief Creative Officer, Disney Animation has made a complete 180 in terms of the quality of films they are making. And while Lasseter hasn't directed a film since 2011's Cars 2, he still has a very hands on approach to the films that are being released under that Disney Animation/Pixar banner. Year after year they continue to raise the bar on the level of animation that is bring produced and I see no difference with the forthcoming Toy Story 4.
While Toy Story 3 ended on such a great note, Pixar has released small shorts and animated specials with our favorite childhood toys. When you stop to think long and hard about it, the Toy Story trilogy was about Woody, Buzz and Andy. That last film wasn't the end of Woody and Buzz's story, but rather the end of Andy's. The heroes are now with a new kid. That opens up a whole new web of stories that are begging to be told. Why wouldn't Disney/Pixar try to take advantage of the most successful of such a popular franchise? As long as the story is good (and warranted), I'll be first in line to catch another adventure with Buzz, Woody and the entire gang!
Instead of saying Godspeed to this crew, all I will say is TO INFINITY!! AND BEYOND!!
