Summary

• Toy Story 4's controversial ending had fans disappointed with Woody's departure from Bonnie to live as a lost toy with Bo.
• Toy Story 5 will see the return of Woody, possibly as a new version or brought out of retirement to face the challenge of tablets.
• The franchise's future may revolve around addressing the changing ways children play, with potential appearances from past antagonists like Sid.

When Pixar's Toy Story 3 came out in 2010, it seemed like it was the perfect way to cap off the franchise. Andy was heading to college and a lot of the kids who watched the original Toy Story (one of the most rewatchable western animated films) when it first came out were about to go through the same journey. He was growing up and moving on and that meant giving his toys away to someone he knew would take care of them, Bonnie. As Woody said goodbye to Andy, it felt like the end of an era. (Even Bonnie's voice actress, Emily Hahn, was surprised!) However, that was changed when Toy Story 4 came out.

Toy Story 4 dealt with Woody adjusting to life with Bonnie. No longer the favorite toy, he instead tries to take care and eventually makes the choice to rescue Forky, who was Bonnie's favorite. Many fans were disappointed by Woody's choice to leave Bonnie and the rest of the gang, especially Buzz, to form a new life with Bo as a lost toy. Not only was it hard for fans to see Woody leave the toys, but it wasn't clear if Bonnie, the child he was trying to keep happy, noticed. While that may bolster the argument for Woody to lead a new, independent life, it seems to go against the past three movies emphasizing the importance of toys to children and vice versa. Earlier this year, Bob Iger confirmed that there would be a new addition to the franchise, Toy Story 5. Although some fans were skeptical after their lukewarm response to Toy Story 4, Andrew Stanton at D23 this year released some key details that have many fans excited.

Tech Vs. Toys

The way children play has evolved since Toy Story came out in 1995. It's more common to see children playing with iPads and phones than to see them playing with toys. There's been a lot of debate over how much screen time is beneficial or harming to children, and the effects of this heavy screen use have yet to be determined. Additionally, some children are even being bullied if they don't buy in-game purchases in free-to-play games like Fortnite. The world has changed. Toy Story, who began with a conflict of old and new, with Woody being an old school cowboy and Buzz Lightyear being the cool, new, more tech toy, has obsolescence anxiety baked into the franchise from the start. It will be exciting to see how the toys deal with this new form of play and if they'll choose to embrace it.

The Return of Woody?

Woody can be seen in the promotional image, which confirms he will be in Toy Story 5. However, how will he come back? Some fans speculate that the Woody seen in the promo image might not be the Woody that audiences have followed for four films, but rather a replacement Woody Bonnie's mom purchased after she realized the cowboy was missing. Conflict would arise between the toys that are loyal to the old Woody and the new Woody would feel out of place. (Think how the alternate Gamorra is handled in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.) As fun as that could potentially be, it would be difficult for audiences to bond with a new version of Woody after they have spent a substantial amount of time with the original. It is more likely that the toys, faced with the insurmountable task of going up against tablets, will call Woody "out of retirement". This also would harken back to previous films where toys have a responsibility to children. If a child needs him, Woody will return.

Will This Finally Be the End?

Toy Story 2 may be a fun sequel, but Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 both have the weight of movies that were meant to cap off the story of Andy's toys. Since Toy Story 4 left some fans disenchanted, this new take might be a new way to give these characters the endings they deserve. Considering Lightyear's disappointing performance, it's unlikely that any of these other characters will get their own spin-offs, despite the fact that there's plenty to work with. If Toy Story 5 is meant to be the definitive ending, it will need to find a way to outdo Toy Story 3. Perhaps, Sid, the bully antagonist from the first movie will make a reappearance. After all, he is the only human character that knows toys are alive, and he's a tinkerer. Perhaps in the movie, he is behind making apps so addictive that kids turn to them instead of their toys. While that might be conspiratorial, it could also be entertaining if done in the right way. Or maybe Sid could have a heroic role. He seems pretty harmless in his trash collector cameo in Toy Story 3. Either way, it would bookend nicely if he appeared in the final film.

When people discuss their favorite movies, it's not unusual for someone to list Toy Story. The original movie has had such an impact that fans are continuing to pay it homage in works such as a concept for a Toy Story video game with "hyper-realistic" graphics and a bizarre Sekiro mod replacing the protagonist with Woody. While expectations will be high for Toy Story 5, fans are eager to see how the franchise will continue to update for how kids play today and are eager for Woody's return. Woody might have said "So long partner" to Andy, but the fans want to play with him a little bit longer.