No, it’s not a snake in your boots — Pixar chief Pete Docter confirmed to Variety that Woody and Buzz Lightyear will be back for the previously announced fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise. "We have another Toy Story, so Woody and Buzz are back," Docter shared with the publication, as part of a larger conversation around the studio’s plans for more sequels for its multiple franchises.

This is an exciting update for fans who wished to see the pair reunite after the events of Toy Story 4. At the end of that film, Buzz and Woody have a significant moment of farewell. Woody, who has developed a deeper understanding of his own purpose and desires, decides to stay with Bo Peep and explore a new life of adventure as a lost toy. Buzz, recognizing Woody's happiness and growth, supports his decision and bids him a heartfelt goodbye. While Buzz remains with his loyal friends at Bonnie's house, Woody embarks on a new journey, embracing his newfound freedom and the potential for new experiences outside the confines of the toy box. I’d love for Toy Story 5 to examine the friendship between the two from afar, rather then jump right into another buddy adventure. It would be a unique and potentially relevant view on what friendship can look like, especially given the time apart many real life friends dealt with during the pandemic.

In addition to the characters returning, all signs point to the original voice actors for Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) also coming back to provide their talents, even with Allen’s stated frustration with Buzz’s usage in Lightyear. Allen shared his thoughts on Toy Story 5 with Daily Mail, “I've made friends with all of the people in Toy Story, especially Tom Hanks. So for that, I'm blessed to have these friends in my life. I love that character. I love that story. So I always wait to see the script."

No release date has been shared yet, though Pixar does have three unnamed movies penciled into their release calendar: June 13, 2025, March 6, 2026, and June 19, 2026. Reading through the tea leaves, one of the two June dates could make sense as Toy Story 4 was released on June 21, 2019. If it is one of those two dates, the June 2026 option may make more sense if the studio has yet to begin production.

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