08 June,2026 02:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Jessie in still from Toy Story 5. Pic via X
After four blockbuster films, Disney and Pixar are taking the Toy Story franchise in a new direction. While Woody and Buzz Lightyear have long been considered the faces of the beloved series, director Andrew Stanton has revealed that Toy Story 5 will place Jessie at the centre of the story.
Speaking about his vision for the upcoming film, Stanton said that exploring Jessie's character was one of the main reasons he wanted to return to the franchise. "I want to explore Jessie. I want to put her in the main driver's seat," he said, explaining that the cowgirl toy's story offered fresh possibilities for the next chapter.
According to co-director and co-writer McKenna Harris, the decision to spotlight Jessie felt long overdue. Introduced in Toy Story 2, the character quickly became a fan favourite thanks to her emotional backstory and energetic personality.
Producer Lindsey Collins believes Jessie has one of the richest character arcs in the franchise. She pointed out that audiences know more about Jessie's past than almost any other toy, including Woody and Buzz. From her heartbreaking experience of being abandoned by her former owner Emily to finding a new family with Andy's toys, Jessie has carried some of the franchise's most emotional moments.
The filmmakers felt that there was still more of her story left to tell, making her the natural choice to lead the next instalment.
The upcoming film will see Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang confronting a new challenge. This time, their biggest rival is not another toy but technology itself.
The story introduces Lilypad, a tablet device that arrives with her own ideas about what is best for Bonnie, creating tension between traditional playtime and modern technology. The film explores how the toys adapt when faced with a world increasingly dominated by screens.
Directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by McKenna Harris, Toy Story 5 also features music by longtime franchise collaborator Randy Newman. The film is set to release in India on June 19, 2026, in English and Hindi.
