Pixar’s Toy Story isn’t just a children’s movie; it’s a pop culture phenomenon. It holds the title of the first-ever fully computer-animated feature film, and its story of the secret lives of our toys continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Here are 10 fun facts you might not know about Toy Story
Woody Wasn’t Always a Hero: In early drafts of Toy Story, Woody was a jerk! He wasn’t the friendly and loyal cowboy we know today. Thankfully, the character went through a personality transplant before hitting the big screen.
Not Originally a Cowboy: Believe it or not, Woody wasn’t always destined to be a rootin’ tootin’ cowboy. Concept art shows him as a variety of different toys, including a pull-string cowboy and even a ventriloquist’s dummy!
Rejected by Mattel: Mattel, the toy giant, originally had reservations about Barbie appearing in the film. This led to Barbie’s smaller role and the now-iconic line “Barbie? Life in plastic, it’s fantastic!”
From Tin Toy to Feature Film: Toy Story was actually an extension of an earlier Pixar short film called “Tin Toy.” This short film, directed by John Lasseter who also directed Toy Story, explored the relationship between a wind-up tin soldier and a group of modern toys.
Quirky Character Traits: The animators behind Toy Story gave the characters some subtle quirks. For instance, Hamm the piggy bank has a slightly stuffy voice because his coin slot is always plugged, and Slinky Dog stretches more when he’s happy.
Almost a Direct-to-Video Sequel: Toy Story 2 was originally planned to be a direct-to-video release, a format sometimes seen as less prestigious. However, after positive test screenings, the decision was made to release it theatrically, cementing its place as a beloved sequel.
Lost and Found: A computer error nearly resulted in the loss of the entire Toy Story 2 film! Luckily, an industrious animator working late nights discovered the issue and was able to recover the data.
Global Buzz: While Tim Allen voiced Buzz Lightyear in the American release, a variety of other actors brought the space ranger to life around the world. In Japan, Buzz was voiced by the iconic actor and singer Toshihiko Seki.
Going Beyond Toys: The Toy Story franchise has expanded beyond the core characters of Woody and Buzz. Spin-off films like “Lightyear” explore the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, while “Forky Asks a Question” delves into the existential crisis of a spork turned toy.
A Timeless Classic: Released in 1995, Toy Story remains a beloved classic. Its innovative animation, heartwarming story, and relatable characters continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, making it a true landmark in cinematic history.