The Toy Drive

As the first full length computer generated animated film 1995's Toy Story, not only broke new ground on a technical level, it was a hit with both critics and audiences alike. It also spawned a 1999 sequel that ended up being as much fun as the first film..For all the success that every other flick of its kind has had since, I have no problem saying that nothing has ever topped the Toy Story 2-some. Sure, The Incredibles (2004) may come pretty close, but it still walks a few steps behind.



Rumors of a third installment for TS have been around forever--even when things were kinda messy between business partners Disney/Pixar in 2005. Now that both parties made nice...Official word about TS3 has finally come down.

But as Variety's Ben Fritz reports, the project moves forward without series mastermind John Lasseter, calling the shots...

"Toy Story 3" is coming in 2009, but John Lasseter won't be the director.

In an unusually candid presentation from the typically tight-lipped execs, Lasseter and Disney Animation [president] Ed Catmull provided extensive details on their upcoming slate at the Mouse House's investor conference Thursday.

In addition to confirming for the first time that a third "Toy Story" is in the works, most likely for 2009 release, Lasseter said Lee Unkrich will helm it.

Unkrich co-directed "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Finding Nemo" but has never before been sole helmer on a Pixar pic.

Lasseter directed the first two "Toy Story" pics but is presumably too busy in his new post as chief creative officer of Disney Animation to work on individual films.

Michael Arndt, Oscar-nominated scribe of "Little Miss Sunshine," is penning the script.

Lasseter said, "The greatest thing about the merger of the two companies is that the creators of 'Toy Story' 1 and 2 can make 3 with the story that we wanted."

Comment was a not-too-subtle swipe at Disney's former plan to develop a third "Toy Story," without Pixar input, before Disney decided to buy the toon studio in late 2005...

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I hope that the filmmakers and the studio can find a way for the original vocal talent of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen to return as Woody and Buzz Lightyear respectively...I can't wait to see where this story goes next.