According to Pixar President Jim Morris, “It’s not a continuation of the end of the story of Toy Story 3.” Instead, Morris indicated that it would be a “love story” and a “romantic comedy” that wouldn’t “put much focus on the interaction” between toys and kids. So if you were hoping for a child-and-toy romance in the next Toy Story movie, stop. It’s not going to happen. (Also, it’s gross.)
Morris also clarified Pixar’s position on sequels; stating that creative passion is what fuels development, and because Pixar projects are “successful,” it obviates the need to “exploit them for money.” Morris said, “It’s about an idea that is met with enthusiasm.” Presumably the interviewer refrained from asking about Cars 2, because Morris was silently circling his forefinger over a shiny, red button built into his armrest labeled “bloodthirsty hounds.”
Lasseter has been quoted as saying that he “could not stop thinking about” the exciting idea that convinced him to make a fourth Toy Story picture. He did not clarify if the exciting idea involved being given enough money to build his own hollowed-out base on Spider-Skull Island.
Regardless of the motivations, the fully-posable romantic comedy Toy Story 4 will undoubtedly be met with enthusiasm when it opens on June 16, 2017.
