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Credit: PixarOn June 19, the Toy Story franchise will continue–and reports claim Disney and Pixar will give fans another huge reason to hit the theaters.
The latest chapter places the toys in a situation that feels particularly relevant in today’s world. Bonnie has become captivated by a tablet-like device known as Lilypad, forcing Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Forky, and their friends to confront a challenge unlike anything they have faced before.
Rather than battling an overzealous toy collector or escaping a daycare center, the gang now finds itself competing with digital entertainment for a child’s attention. The story explores what happens when traditional toys are pushed aside in favor of screens, placing the beloved characters in a struggle for relevance.
Returning to the franchise are Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, alongside Joan Cusack as Jessie, who is said to be the center of the movie and will reconnect with Emily in some way–her original owner first seen in Toy Story 2 (1999). New additions include Greta Lee as Lilypad, whose involvement has become one of the film’s most talked-about casting announcements. Not only has the movie got new cast members, but music legend Taylor Swift has joined the Pixar ranks, bringing the new original song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” to the feature film.
Another Pixar Project May Steal Attention
While Toy Story 5 is generating plenty of conversation on its own, the film won’t be the only Pixar project drawing attention when audiences head to theaters. Attached to the release will reportedly be a teaser for 2027’s Gatto (per Laughing Place), the studio’s upcoming original feature, and early reactions suggest Pixar may have another major talking point on its hands.
The preview will likely introduce viewers to a world centered on Nero, the black cat voiced by Mark Ruffalo, and showcase an animation style that looks notably different from anything Pixar has released before. Early glimpses point toward a more painterly, textured aesthetic, moving away from the studio’s familiar photorealistic approach. For many fans, that may be the most exciting development of all. Enrico Casarosa returns as director, following his work on 2021’s Luca.
As sequels continue to dominate the theatrical landscape, Gatto represents a rare original project from Pixar, offering audiences something entirely new rather than another return to an established franchise. It is exactly the kind of artistic risk that helped establish Pixar’s reputation in the first place.
A Defining Summer for Pixar
There is little doubt Toy Story 5 has become one of the most closely watched releases of the summer as the franchise enters a new territory, both in terms of its new rating and the themes it appears ready to explore. At the same time, Pixar is using the occasion to introduce audiences to Gatto, a project that could help define the studio’s future just as Toy Story continues to celebrate its past.
With a more mature Toy Story tale on the horizon and an original animated feature waiting in the wings, June 19 is shaping up to be a significant day for Pixar—and potentially one of the most interesting moviegoing events of the year.
Gatto is set for release on March 5, 2027.
What do you think of Gatto? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
