Filmstalker: Toy Story 3 returns

The movie Toy Story 3 died a death, but now there's word that it's back on the production line now that Disney and Pixar are sitting together. The good news is that both Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are on board to reprise their voice roles, at the end of the Toy Story 3 production line last time around the word was that one or both of these guys would not be returning to the voice roles. Not so now.

From Hollywood Reporter through Cinema Blend:

According to Hollywood News, Disney CEO Robert Iger recently confirmed at a US press conference that a new adventure for the toys is being planned. The third movie is rumored to be about Buzz Lightyear, whose makers' recall all of the toys and send them back to where they were made: good ole' Taiwan.

There's even talk that Disney are looking at sequels to other Pixar movies. Now all this might be great news to some, but there's a big element of caution to be had. The consideration here is how Pixar have been taken into the fold at Disney, are they allowed to remain autonomous and keep their Pixar ways, or have they just pulled the Pixar people right into the Disney way? This could mean that Disney end up with some top class animators and creatives all working to the same Disney tune, to me that could spell the continuing of Disney blandness and the loss of some of the highly appealing Pixar creativity.

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It's plain that Disney aren't an "ailing" company, at least finacially. But creatively that may be a different matter. It seems like a classic Quality Vs. Quantity thing when it comes to Disney/Pixar. Sure Disney are a much more prolific company when it comes to product output but just look at Pixars track record. Knockout.

But one thing I think needs consideration is that this illusion that Disney now "own" Pixar in anything other than name. Sure, Disney may be more beaurocratic than Pixar. They hold alot of sway over who the next American President is for example. Isn't George W's cousin Governer of the state of Florida or something? That's Disney state to you and me! They have certain strings attatched that Pixar don't and this can, in my opinion, affect the way they make their movies.

But I believe that in practical terms these guys were looking at what they had and realised that they couldn't work off of their back catalog and a brief 90's animation renaissance to keep them going for the next 50 years, whereas a company like Pixar has nothing but creative nirvana in their sights. They needed that and they know they did. This was a very pre-meditated buyout. They need Pixar's creativity and I reckon they'll allow it to be the forefront of what they do, whether that be as you say in their technical production or their creative offices.

They may lose that close knit autonomy as you point out. This can only be good for Disney but may dilute Pixars influence in a kind of "divide & conquer" type of way.

Let's not hope I'm right.

Posted by: Rynndar | May 11, 2006 1:04 PM

I do sincerely believe the line that Disney went for Pixar for creativity to complement their organisation rather than any crushing of the competition. But I also fear that very same creativity that first attracted them to Pixar will be surrounded by politics.

I'm very pessimistic about this. Pixar had fun, that was clear in the DVD extras. If it turns into bottom line corporate pressure all the time that fun will more than likely erode, and what's left is a set of forced productions, not fun productions.

Saying that, the outline plot for Toy Story 3 didn't make me gag, so I reserve my right to be interested.

Posted by: Lee | May 11, 2006 3:09 PM

I agree with Lee here. arrgh. i can't believe i just typed that.

Pixar great - disney not so.... mix them together and you may get dirty water or a much bigger purer version.

Posted by: pablo | May 11, 2006 3:13 PM

What gives, pablo? That's not the first time I've seen "I agree with Lee" in the last couple of weeks!

Posted by: Lee | May 11, 2006 3:23 PM