While nothing is official, the rumour windmill continues to spin about a fourth outing for Woody, Buzz, Rex, Jesse and the rest of Team Toy Story. What we know for sure, however, is that they’ll be back on the small screen at least for a new Toy Story ‘toon, this time the spook-tastic Toy Story Of Terror.
Talking to TV Guide, producer Galyn Susman explains that the new story – 30 minutes of Pixar goodness – finds the gang on a scary journey. "Bonnie is on a road trip to go see grandma with her mom and the toys are in the trunk. Mom gets a flat tire, they have to spend the night at a motel and all kinds of chaos ensues."
And while Woody, Buzz and the rest will be all present and correct, the focus this time around will be Joan Cusack’s cowgirl Jesse: "We've gotten to see a lot of development in Woody and in Buzz and we felt it was Jesse's turn to really show some growth."
Mostly, though, the new ‘toon will feature some hair-raising references to the likes of Psycho, Aliens and Predator (including a return visit from Carl Weathers’ Combat Carl, as blown up by Sid in the original film). All toned down for family audiences, mind.
"There was some support to make a scary, but not necessarily Halloween-themed half-hour **Toy Story **special for television," director Angus MacLane says. "There was some concern early on about not making it too scary for kids. I think we've done a good job of balancing staying true to Toy Story and staying true to the genre. As far as adults are concerned, I've always thought that we make these movies for ourselves. I think it's funny and like the other Toy Story films, I think there is plenty of stuff in there that only adults will get."
Toy Story Of Terror will hit US screens this October and will hopefully make it across the pond in some form before Halloween.