New Toy Story 5 Plot Tease Suggests Buzz Will Replace Woody As The Main Character

The Toy Story saga isn’t over yet as Toy Story 5 is on its way, and while much is unknown about the upcoming movie’s story, a tease from one of its actors suggests Buzz is stepping into the spotlight. Pixar’s multi-billion-dollar franchise kicked off in 1995 with the premiere of Toy Story, the animation studio’s first feature film. Since then, Pixar has released five movies in the franchise, including three sequels and one spin-off. Since Toy Story is so popular (and brings in a lot of revenue), the studio is developing a fourth sequel featuring the return of Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Toy Story 5, starring Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 19, 2026.

Pixar announced Toy Story 5 was in production in early 2023, with Andrew Stanton (who has worked on every film’s script in the franchise, aside from Lightyear) directing and writing the next sequel. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are also confirmed to return to voice their respective characters. However, other than that minimal information, the cast and crew haven’t revealed much about Toy Story 5‘s story. Allen did tease one intriguing detail about Buzz and Jessie, though.

Jessie Being In Danger Means Buzz Lightyear Could Take The Lead In Toy Story 5

Tim Allen Teases Toy Story 5’s Story

While speaking with Good Morning America (via Collider), Tim Allen shared a tidbit of information about Toy Story 5. Essentially, Jessie is in danger in the upcoming movie and Buzz’s story is full of “intrigue.” When asked about Toy Story 5, Allen shared:

“I’ve already begun. I’m in the third act now. It’s remarkable what they’ve done… with Pixar they didn’t say I couldn’t say anything but… I wish I could… There’s a lot of real intrigue with Buzz. Jessie’s got a big trouble, she needs help, so it’s a really cool thing.”

Buzz’s story has been intertwined with Jessie’s ever since the end of Toy Story 2. He’s had a crush on her from the moment they met, and Buzz and Jessie’s romance deepened much further in the third film (while the fourth mostly ignored it). So, if the red-headed cowgirl is in trouble, the man from space must be working hard to help her in whatever way possible. Perhaps Toy Story 5 will explore Buzz and Jessie’s relationship in the same way that Toy Story 4 did with Woody and Bo Peep, suggesting Buzz would take the reins from Woody.

Buzz Needs A Bigger Role After Toy Story 4 Focused On Woody

Toy Story 4 Pushed Buzz To The Background

Given how Toy Story 4 regulated Buzz to essentially be a background character amongst the other toys, he needs to have a more significant presence in the fifth movie. Woody was clearly the star, a role he has filled since 1995. Tom Hanks’ character was the focus, which meant his story got proper closure (despite Woody returning in Toy Story 5). Meanwhile, Buzz didn’t even feel like Woody’s sidekick in Toy Story 4 (as he was in the first three films), meaning he’s due for more screen time in the upcoming sequel.

Toy Story 4 failed Buzz, but Toy Story 5 can redeem him. Based on Tim Allen’s comments, it sounds as if Buzz will finally step into the spotlight in Pixar’s 2026 animated feature. Of course, the actor didn’t reveal too much about Buzz’s story, just that it was intriguing and “really cool.” Allen also suggested that his character’s arc in Toy Story 5 was tied to the danger that Jessie is in, which will likely be a major plot point in the movie. As for what exactly happens to Jessie, only theories can try to explain the aforementioned “trouble.”

Why Jessie Might Be In Trouble In Toy Story 5

Plot Details Surrounding The Upcoming Pixar Film Are Scarce

Jessie could find herself in a similar situation that Woody and Buzz have been in many times before — she becomes a lost toy. In the first film, Woody accidentally pushes Buzz out of Andy’s bedroom window and they both later end up in Sid’s possession. Then, in Toy Story 2, Al steals Woody from a yard sale, and Bonnie loses the cowboy during her family’s road trip in the fourth movie. Perhaps Jessie somehow gets separated from the group, leaving Buzz responsible for finding her. Only time will tell what happens to Jessie in Toy Story 5, though.

Sources: Good Morning America, Collider