Disney Eyes 2008 for Toy Story 3

Wednesday, June 22, 2005
By: Ryan Ball

Whether or not Disney is able to strike a new deal with animation powerhouse Pixar, the Mouse House is moving ahead with plans to produce a third installment of the blockbuster Toy Story franchise. During a presentation at the Int’l Licensing Show in New York City on Tuesday, Disney Consumer Products chair Andy Mooney mentioned that the studio intends to have the film completed for release in 2008.

Though the first two Toy Story films were produced by Pixar, Disney owns the rights and has been keen on doing sequels for some time. Pixar, however, has been more interested in telling new stories, such as Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Cars, than building franchises. With Pixar’s departure, Disney has resolved to build its own computer animation facility in Glendale, Calif., where a staff of more than 700 artists and technicians will bang away at Toy Story 3 and other CG films. Walt Disney Feature Animation will be actively recruiting at SIGGRAPH 2005, taking place July 31 through Aug. 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Disney’s Flagship in-house 3D feature, Chicken Little, will release this November and will serve as an early indicator of how well the studio can compete in the crowded CG toon market without the seemingly unstoppable hit machine that is Pixar.

Pixar CEO Steve Jobs has resumed talks with Disney since Bob Iger took over for outgoing lead Mouseketeer Michael Eisner. Should the two parties agree on a new contract, fans praying for another Pixar-produced Toy Story may yet be gratified. During a recent investor conference, Jobs commented, "If we do enter into any negotiation with Disney, all I really want to say is that sequels will play a part of it."

Also in the Disney pipeline is the tentatively titled A Day With Wilbur Robinson, based on the book by William Joyce, the also tentatively titled American Dog from director Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch) and Rapunzel Unbraided, to be directed by longtime Disney animator Glenn Keane (Beauty and the Beast).

Reader Comments

• Anonymous :

  Wednesday, June 22, 2005

  Disney kills great films by making to many sequels rather then moving on. I rather see Pixar out on their own and what will happen without Disney interfering.

• Anonymous :

  Thursday, June 23, 2005

  I agree, it's not that the Toy Story franchise hasn't been exciting but there is alot of new ground to break. Pixar has a wealth of resources at hand and I would rather see them explore new ground than re-hash old ideas.

• toystory fan 1 :

  Monday, June 11, 2007

  HAY HOWDY HAY I think that if PIXAR and DISNEY want to make a TOYSTORY3 they can and hay if it brings in money and the fans loved the first to movies the\'ll most likely love a TOYSTORY 3 so my opion is to make a TOYSTORY 3 it will be the best choice you could make.

• toystory fan 1 :

  Monday, June 11, 2007

  HAY HOWDY HAY I think that if PIXAR and DISNEY want to make a TOYSTORY3 they can and hay if it brings in money and the fans loved the first to movies the\\\'ll most likely love a TOYSTORY 3 so my opion is to make a TOYSTORY 3 it will be the best choice you could make.

• Jonathan Deafley :

  Saturday, November 24, 2007

  I love toystory, which is why i want a third one to come out.