LOS ANGELES — “Toy Story 5” arrives in theaters June 19, and a new episode of On The Red Carpet is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the animated sequel from inside Pixar Animation Studios, where the film was created.
The latest chapter brings Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the beloved toy crew back together. This time, though, the world around them has shifted in ways that go far beyond Woody’s newly noticeable bald spot.
At the center of the story is Bonnie, whose attention is pulled in a new direction when she gets a smart tablet called Lilypad. As screentime begins to compete with traditional playtime, the toys find themselves facing a challenge that feels especially timely.
That is only part of their concern. The toys also realize Bonnie is struggling to make friends, adding an emotional layer to the adventure and continuing the heartfelt storytelling that has defined the franchise from the start.
Tom Hanks returns as the voice of Woody, with Tim Allen once again voicing Buzz Lightyear.
Also highlighted in the coverage is a video segment featuring Taylor Swift performing live at the “Toy Story 5” world premiere.
Allen: “I really teared up. I could’ve done that thing where you sniffle and you burst into tears. It was so effective.”
Hanks: “We’ve been looking at each other in screenings with tears in our eyes. And you know, it doesn’t come out of dialogue. It comes out of, like in this particular movie when Bonnie has her feelings hurt by what is being texted about her on her device. It broke my heart!”
Allen: “Me too.”
“Toy Story 5” is the first film in the series centered largely around the cowgirl, Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack. Jessie takes it upon herself to protect Bonnie from that interloping device, Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee.
“I was so excited they did a Jessie movie,” Cusack told On The Red Carpet. “I mean, it was so thrilling. ‘Cause I felt like there was a story there, and a story for girls. And they did such a good job with it.”
Cusack, like Hanks and Allen, has been part of the “Toy Story” team since the 1990s, but Lee is new to the franchise and is loving every minute of it.
“It’s the best!” Lee said. “This is the best group. It’s the best world of characters, the storytelling all of it and I’m just, we’re all genuinely so proud of this movie. It feels important, which is kinda crazy to say.”
VIDEO: Watch the cast of ‘Toy Story 5″ walk the world premiere red carpet
We interviewed the cast at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California, where we also got a peek behind the curtain at the making of the film.
The Pixar Archives team even pulled out early concept art of the characters including from the first “Toy Story,” when Woody was initially going to be a ventriloquist’s dummy and Buzz Lightyear was originally called “Lunar Larry.”
Also in this new episode, we’ll take you inside the world premiere of “Toy Story 5” and open our Video Vault for a nostalgic look back at the original “Toy Story” premiere in 1995.
Plus, how stars like Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift are entering their “Toy Story” era, and how you can experience your own Pixar adventures at Disney Parks.
Watch “On The Red Carpet Presents: ‘Toy Story 5′” in the video player above.
Disney is the parent company of Pixar and this station.
