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“Cowgirl in Charge!” New Look at Buzz and Woody’s ‘Toy Story’ Replacement Revealed

in Entertainment, Pixar

Posted on by Thomas Hitchen 10 Comments
Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and Bullseye in the incinerator from 'Toy Story 3'

Credit: Pixar

It’s a new era for Toy Story–and this time, it’s Jessie’s turn to take the lead.

Rex in a scene from 'Toy Story 4'
Credit: Pixar

As the first feature-length film created entirely with computer animation, 1995’s Toy Story changed filmmaking forever. The movie earned over $400 million worldwide and became the second-highest-grossing film of the year, setting the foundation for one of the most beloved franchises in modern cinema.

Since then, the Toy Story universe has grown far beyond its original scope, spawning multiple media entities and fully themed lands in Disney theme parks worldwide.

Buzz Lightyear character next to Tim Allen
Credit: Disney

The main trilogy concluded with Toy Story 3 in 2010, before Toy Story 4 arrived in 2019, seemingly closing the book on Woody and Buzz.

However, upon Bob Iger’s return to the Chief Executive Officer role at The Walt Disney Company in 2022, multiple new movies were confirmed in pre-existing billion-dollar franchises. Alongside Toy Story 5, Iger confirmed Frozen 3 and Zootopia 2–the latter will arrive first on November 28, 2025.

Even with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen returning as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, some fans have expressed skepticism, worrying that another sequel might stretch the series too far. Others are simply curious to see where Pixar will take the toys next.

Woody and Buzz Lightyear looking down on a carnival in 'Toy Story 4'
Credit: Pixar

At the end of Toy Story 4, Woody leaves Bonnie’s room to help lost toys find new homes, while Jessie—introduced in 1999’s Toy Story 2 and voiced by Joan Cusack—steps up as the new leader, with Buzz serving as her second-in-command.

According to Pixar, the upcoming film will explore how technology has reshaped the nature of childhood play, introducing a new character: a tablet toy named Lilypad.

Back in May, Tim Allen told Entertainment Tonight the story is “a story about Jessie” and “very clever,” assuring fans it will be “worth it.” The actor recently elaborated on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, saying, “They reboot everything. It’s all about Jessie, which is really cool. She’s in trouble, and she needs help. We’re all over, so she has to gather everybody.”

Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) sadly pushing a button on his spacesuit
Credit: Pixar

New information has come to light regarding the lead of Toy Story 5, as well as the introduction of multiple new characters in the fifth installment. Per the merchandise gathered by Opposing Horse (@OpposingHorse) on social media, t-shirt designs centering on Jessie can be seen, as well as additional characters joining the franchise.

UPDATE:
More shirts have been revealed! It seems Woody is going to get a poncho at some point in Toy Story 5!

Here’s another look at the secondary characters too.
#toystory5 #pixar #Disney

Additional images featured apparel labeling Jessie as the “Cowgirl in Charge.”

The designs for Atlas the ‘chatty hippo’ and Snappy the ‘cutest camera’ have been officially revealed on a new Toy Story 5 t-shirt!

There’s also a hand, who was previously leaked alongside the other two, which, I’m guessing is a part of Atlas.

#toystory #toystory5 #Disney

Earlier Images Sparked “Woke” Debate.

Online reactions to Toy Story 5’s earlier promotional material have already sparked debate. One image shows Jessie standing on Bonnie’s bed surrounded by Rex, Hamm, Dolly, and other returning toys—but no Slinky Dog or Potato Heads. Fans on social media quickly speculated, with comments like “NO POTATO HEADS THIS IS TERRIBLE” and “Woke incoming.”

Many pointed out, though, that Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head) passed away in 2017, and Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head) passed away in 2022. Pixar had previously honored Rickles in Toy Story 4 using archived voice recordings.

Animated characters Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and Bullseye look at a large, smiling, frog-shaped LilyPad device on a bed, displaying a chat screen
Credit: Disney

While not every familiar toy appeared in the promotional image, Disney and Pixar have confirmed that Slinky Dog, Forky, and Bullseye will return. Ernie Hudson will now voice Combat Carl, taking over for the late Carl Weathers, and Conan O’Brien will debut as a new toy named Smarty Pants. Anna Faris joins the cast, reportedly as the voice of Lilypad.

Toy Story 5 is set to open in theaters on June 19, 2026.

How do you feel about Jessie taking center stage in Pixar’s next adventure? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!

in Entertainment, Pixar

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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