‘Toy Story 5’ Completed in Just Three and a Half Years, Andrew Stanton Reveals

Andrew Stanton recently shared an intriguing detail about the production of ‘Toy Story 5’. The director revealed that the eagerly awaited Pixar sequel was finished in just three and a half years, a timeline that is remarkably swift by the studio’s standards.

Stanton confirmed this expedited schedule, stating, “We did this movie in three and a half years, which for us is huge.” This comment resonated with fans and industry experts who recognize how rare it is for a Pixar film to be produced at such a rapid pace, especially for a franchise that is both beloved and heavily scrutinized.

Previous films in the series typically took four years or more to complete, making this the shortest production period in the franchise’s history. Stanton’s ability to achieve this without sacrificing the narrative he aimed to convey is a source of pride for him, especially since he transitioned to directing after years of writing and contributing creatively at Pixar.

While Stanton co-wrote every previous ‘Toy Story’ film, ‘Toy Story 5’ marks his directorial debut in the franchise. He has previously directed ‘Finding Nemo’, ‘WALL-E’, and ‘Finding Dory’, and currently holds the position of VP of Creative at Pixar.

The new film features Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the crew facing off against a tablet-like device named Lilypad. The story presents this conflict not merely as a good-versus-evil scenario but as an existential exploration of how children have largely shifted away from physical toys. Stanton noted that technology has transformed lives and the film seeks to understand what that means for toys, emphasizing that tech shouldn’t simply be portrayed as the villain.

Greta Lee voices the character Lilypad, and both Stanton and co-director Kenna Harris have praised her performance for striking a balance between playful antagonism and genuine humor. The film boasts a large returning cast alongside Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, including Joan Cusack, Annie Potts, Wallace Shawn, Kristen Schaal, and newcomers Conan O’Brien, Keanu Reeves, and Bad Bunny.

In an interview with Empire, Stanton addressed concerns about the franchise overstaying its welcome, asserting that the first three films encapsulated the Andy years and that viewers who prefer to stop there are welcome to do so. “Nobody’s being robbed of their trilogy,” he stated in the interview.

‘Toy Story 5’ is set to hit theaters on June 19. Whether or not audiences are ready for another installment, it seems Stanton has crafted this one quickly enough that the toys hardly had time to gather dust.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!