It was only a matter of time before the classic film series that’s determined to keep the magic of playtime alive tackled the big issue for kids and parents alike in the 21st century: screentime. Toy Story 5 is getting topical, Pixar style.
The tappable, addictive antagonist of the latest entry is Lilypad, “a high-tech, frog-shaped smart tablet that makes Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs exponentially harder when they go head to head with the all-new threat to playtime.”
Plot-wise, the trailer keeps its cards close to the chest, a package has arrived, and the toys look none too happy about it, each quivering in fear as INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart” plays, before the box opens and out comes the attention span-consuming device.
The main cast sees returning talents Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as the inseparable cowboy and space ranger duo Woody and Buzz, Joan Cusack as rootin-tootin cowgirl Jessie and Tony Hale returning to the role of Forky from Toy Story 4.
New additions to the cast include Greta Lee (Past Lives, The Morning Show, TRON: Ares) as Lilypad, and another smart device, Smarty Pants, who is built to assist with potty training, voiced by Conan O’Brien.
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Director Andrew Stanton and co-director Kenna Harris stated, “It’s been a hilarious and poignant journey exploring how our favourite team of legacy toys might respond to today’s world of technology, and we’re thrilled to share this first glimpse with audiences. Having the remarkably talented Greta Lee bring Lilypad to life — balancing a playfully antagonistic tone with humour and heart — has been incredible.”
Stanton is something of a Pixar veteran, having previously helmed Finding Nemo, WALL-E and Finding Dory, and co-wrote all four of the previous Toy Story films. The film is produced by Lindsey Collins (Turning Red, WALL-E, Finding Dory).
Toy Story was Pixar’s debut film in 1995 and made Hollywood history as the first fully computer-generated film to get a theatrical release. A sequel was released in 1999, before the franchise went on ice until 2010’s Toy Story 3, followed by Toy Story 4 in 2019. Watch the trailer for Toy Story 5 below.
