Toy Story fans woke up November 12, 2018 to the debut of the first official teaser trailer, Woody character poster, and photo from Toy Story 4. The blockbuster animated franchise continues with the original voice cast reprising their roles and Veep‘s Tony Hale joining the ensemble as a new character named Forky.
The fourth film, which was originally announced back in November 2014, is directed by Josh Cooley (Riley’s First Date?). Jonas Rivera (Inside Out, Up) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer of Inside Out) are on board as producers.
“Like most people, I assumed that Toy Story 3 was the end of the story,” stated director Josh Cooley. “And it was the end of Woody’s story with Andy. But just like in life, every ending is a new beginning. Woody now being in a new room, with new toys, and a new kid, was something we have never seen before. The questions of what that would be like became the beginning of an entertaining story worth exploring.”
Cooley described the introduction of Forky, a new character that’s actually a spork-turned-craft-project. “The world of Toy Story is built upon the idea that everything in the world has a purpose,” explained Cooley. “A toy’s purpose is to be there for its child. But what about toys that are made out of other objects? Forky is a toy that Bonnie made out of a disposable spork, so he’s facing a crisis. He wants to fulfill his purpose as a spork, but now has a new toy purpose thrust upon him.”
Tony Hale immediately sprang to mind when Forky was conceived, according to Cooley. “When we thought up this character, Tony was the first actor that came to mind and I’m thrilled he accepted. Tony’s performance as Forky is a comedy salad of confidence, confusion, and empathy… served by hilarious spork,” said Cooley.
In addition to Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and Tony Hale, Toy Story 4‘s cast includes Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Jeff Pidgeon, and Blake Clark.
Toy Story 4 is set to open in theaters on June 21, 2019.
The Toy Story 4 Plot:
“Woody has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.”
