It’s been nearly three decades since the release of Toy Story, a true classic that set the template for how animation would look in the future. It became a franchise so popular that it was among the most commercially successful ones in film history. What started off as a film grew into a series of five feature films, not counting the spin-off Lightyear, which places the franchise as the third-highest-grossing animated series in the world. While masses have defined them as films that have been commercially successful, legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino defines them differently: he views the series not as a four-part saga, but as a simple trilogy. He recently shared his thoughts on Toy Story 4.
Quentin Tarantino Says He Won’t Watch Toy Story 4
Quentin Tarantino. Image Credit: Gage Skidmore/CC
Quentin Tarantino, the 61-year-old filmmaker recently sat down for an appearance on the comedy podcast Club Random with Bill Maher and talked about his deep love for the original Toy Story trilogy and why he feels no compulsion to check out any of the films that come after the trilogy, such as last year’s Toy Story 4 – just because he knows it received critical and commercial praise. To Tarantino, the trilogy did no intention for it to be extended; it was perfection.
In Tarantino’s opinion, the third film concluded as perfectly as it could. “The series was concluded as perfectly as you could,” he describes his belief that the story goes to its most satisfying, natural end with the third installment. What more can you expect from the genius who brought us Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill?. He said, “I don’t watch all of the animated movies and stuff, but I actually love Toy Story.”
Specifically, Tarantino likes to compare the Toy Story films, as a trilogy, with another seminal trilogy. He expressed, “I think there’s only one trilogy that completely and utterly works to the Nth degree and that’s A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” That comparison shows not only his confidence but also his belief in what a well-made trilogy should be—each one leading neatly into the next, with all of it fulfilling a polished story arc.
What is rather striking about this is that this is the praise that Tarantino himself heaped upon Toy Story 3, which he said was “one of the best movies” he had ever seen. His admiration, however, doesn’t really extend to the fourth film. “If you’ve seen the other two, it’s just devastating. Then three years later or something they did a fourth, and I have no desire to see it.”
For Tarantino, the story had reached its peak, and the addition of a fourth film felt unnecessary. “You literally ended the story as perfectly as you could, so no I don’t care if it’s good. I’m done.”
But, Toy Story 5 Is Already In Development
Tim Allen in Toy Story 4 (2019). Image Credit: Disney/Pixar
Even though Tarantino himself isn’t interested in continuing the Toy Story narrative, Pixar is moving forward with a fifth installation. This comes in light of the spin-off Lightyear, which is quite tepid, as far as the reception is concerned, showcasing the ‘what if’ scenario within the said franchise.
The next film is expected to return some of the favorite characters, including Woody and Buzz, with a fresh conflict between toys and electronics under the direction of Andrew Stanton. Second-time Oscar winner Stanton, who helmed the original Toy Story, tells an epic confrontation teased in front of the D23 Expo audience by Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Toy Story 5 was first announced in February 2023 by Iger, then confirmed by Tim Allen on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. It was Disney, says Allen, who came to both him and Tom Hanks with the idea of reprising their roles, although both men expressed skepticism about a sequel really being the answer. Still, adds Allen, the involvement of one of the writers responsible for one of the stronger entries in the series could make this project worthwhile, suggesting that this reunion could offer something special for fans of the franchise.
While the franchise is yet to unfold further, it will be interesting to observe if Toy Story 5 manages to bring back the indelible high-points all its previous parts managed. For a fan like Quentin Tarantino, the original trilogy has, till this date, remained the definitive conclusion to the Toy Story saga, proving just how storytelling becomes immortal, while these very characters, much loved, will always remain in the formidable treasury portrayed on the screen.
