Summary:
- One little detail in Toy Story 4 proves that Woody’s background story is a much better idea than “Lightyear,” which flopped hard at the box office.
- Instead of making “Lightyear,” Pixar could have dived deeper into Woody’s story before he was passed down to Andy, since the former was made decades prior to the first film.
- “Lightyear” doesn’t sit well with the Pixar audience for straying too far from the franchise’s main theme and charm.
Let’s be honest, Lightyear is a Pixar project that was doomed right from the start. The film has an interesting concept, immersing itself in the Toy Story universe as a movie Andy saw in 1995, but one Toy Story 4 moment proves Pixar could have done an entirely different movie that resonate way better with the audience.
In “Toy Story 4,” before Gabby Gabby unveils her plot to snatch Woody’s voice box, she inquires about Woody’s origin, asking, “May I ask, when were you made?” Woody’s unsurely replies, “Me? Uh, I’m not sure. Late 50s?”
This little detail proves that Woody was presented for four decades prior to the first “Toy Story” film, which was set in 1995. This timeline revelation opens up a vast, unexplored swath of Woody’s life before becoming Andy’s beloved toy.
“Toy Story 2” sheds some light on Woody’s backstory, revealing that he was merchandise for the fictional show “Woody’s Roundup” from the late 50s that was ultimately canceled. This aligns with his creation date but also introduces a mystery: Woody was completely oblivious to his own origin story until it’s disclosed to him in the second film.
The franchise also occasionally hints at Woody’s life pre-Andy. For instance, in “Toy Story 2,” when Big Al attempts to buy Woody at a yard sale, Andy’s mom insists that Woody is an “Old family toy,” suggesting he might have been a cherished possession passed down through generations.
There’s also a fan theory suggesting Woody originally belonged to Andy’s dad, who is neither seen nor mentioned in the films. This would poignantly explain Woody’s protective nature towards Andy, representing a toy passed from parent to child—a powerful symbol in the “Toy Story” universe.
Lightyear” struggled at the box office, perhaps due to its perplexing premise and the decision to recast Tim Allen, who had long voiced Buzz in all previous installments. While the idea of a Buzz Lightyear origin story was intriguing on paper, replacing the well-loved character with a new version was a tough sell for long-time Pixar fans, who are deeply attached to Allen’s portrayal.
Besides, the main charm of the Toy Story franchise is the toys themselves – how they interact with the world around them, avoid humans, and the bond they share with their owners. “Lightyear” is completely devoid of these aspects to focus on a generic space adventure of a familiar character, so it’s understandable how the spinoff movie didn’t sit well with the audience.
The revelation of Woody’s age in “Toy Story 4” sparks curiosity about his early years. Exploring Woody’s first journey from a toy store shelf to Andy’s room after decades could have been a captivating narrative, offering long-time fans a deeper look into a cherished character’s backstory. Such a film focusing on Woody’s pre-Andy adventures might have resonated much better with audiences than “Lightyear.”
With “Toy Story 5” set for release in June 2026, there’s potential for the sequel to delve into Woody’s past, perhaps echoing how “Toy Story 4” explored Bo Peep’s departure from Andy’s home. This could give fans the rich, historical context they crave about one of their favorite Pixar characters.
