It looks as though Toy Story 4 finally has a release date. After first being announced in 2014 with a proposed 2017 release, it'll now be just over a year before Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and the rest of the gang are back in theaters.
Josh Cooley (Inside Out), who is directing the animated film, announced the news with a simply tweeted photo of the number 4 and the date June 21, 2019. He's joined by co-director Jonas Rivera, who recently worked on Coco. This is the latest step in what has been a long and sometimes difficult road to get Toy Story 4 made.
JUNE 21 2019 pic.twitter.com/LiJhHNTOoo
— Josh Cooley (@CooleyUrFaceOff) April 8, 2018
When originally announced, John Lasseter was going to direct a script from Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. However, Lasseter left the project as director in July 2017, then went on a leave of absence when reports of sexual harassment allegations against him surfaced. It was at that point Jones revealed she and McCormack had stepped away from the project.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the Parks and Recreation alum explains, "There is so much talent at Pixar, and we remain enormous fans of their films. However, it is also a culture where women and people of color do not have an equal creative voice."
With Cooley at the helm and Thor: Ragnarok scribe Stephany Blossom penning the screenplay, it seems Toy Story 4 has finally found smooth waters to sail through. However, the plot of the film remains unknown. Initially, it was noted that the new film would see Woody reunite with his former love interest Bo Peep (Annie Potts). It's entirely possible that will still be the focus of the movie. Then again, the plans could have changed.
Whatever the case, you'll only have to wait about a year to find out. Toy Story 4 will hit theaters next summer. Before that, though, Incredibles 2 arrives on June 15.
