‘Toy Story 4’ Finds New Screenwriter In ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Alum
Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the Toy Story gang are welcoming a new member into the Toy Story toy box.
The latest member of the Disney-Pixar family is Stephany Folsom. Folsom has some experience working with several Disney properties including the 2017 box office smash Thor: Ragnarok.
Folsom confirmed the news on Twitter on Jan. 18 to her followers' delight. While Folsom received mostly positive compliments and words of encouragement from her colleagues, there were a few Twitter users that begged her not to ruin the franchise.
A Roller Coaster Ride
Folsom enters the driver's seat of the Toy Story franchise after the departure of writers Rashida Jones and her writing collaborator, Will McCormick. The former Parks and Recreation star and her writing partner have initially been hired by the animation studio to write the fourth chapter in the popular 3D animated franchise.
However, Jones and McCormick left the project after the former had massive creative disagreements with John Lasseter, the film's co-director and executive producer. Lasseter also serves as Pixar Animation Studios' chief creative officer. Months before Jones left the production; Lasseter stepped down from being the film's co-director.
What's The Story?
Before Jones and McCormick departed from the film, there was a general plot for Toy Story 4. Audiences left Toy Story 3 in tears after a grown-up Andy donated Woody, Buzz, and the gang to the deserving young preschool student.
The events surrounding the fourth installment of the Disney and Pixar franchise are to focus on the gang's adventure to relocate one of the original members of Andy's toys: Little Bo Peep. There was also an idea that Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) would fall in love with Bo Peep, much to Woody's (voiced by Tom Hanks) annoyance.
If Folsom continues to pick up those story elements, she might also have to reconsider involving Mr. Potato Head in the story. The cranky spud's voice actor, iconic comedian Don Rickles, passed away on April 6, 2017 from kidney failure.
Pixar Box Office Update
While Folsom and the Toy Story 4 production team get to work, Disney and Pixar received a mixed reaction for Coco. As audiences and critics adored Coco, they loathed the 20-minute short cartoon that was showcased before the film. Fans were unhappy with the short Olaf's Frozen Adventure as it dragged and led nowhere. Eventually, Disney removed the short and decided to premiere it on ABC Television Network.
Toy Story 4 is expected to make its big screen debut on June 21, 2019.
