For more than three decades, the beloved cast of the Toy Story saga has teetered on the brink of obsolescence, abandonment, and near-destruction. The debut trailer for Pixar’s highly anticipated Toy Story 5 has finally arrived, confirming that the gang is once again facing an existential crisis. This time, the threat to their relevance isn’t a garbage incinerator or a cruel daycare, but a sleek tablet computer named Lilypad that has completely captivated Bonnie—the girl who inherited the toys from Andy.
“Extinction, not again!” exclaims a panicked Rex (voiced by Wallace Shawn) as he catches sight of the digital usurper, Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee).
This digital disruption is exactly what prompts Woody (Tom Hanks) to conclude his nomadic life on the road. Following the emotional conclusion of Toy Story 4, where Woody chose to travel with Bo Peep (Annie Potts) to assist lost toys, the legendary cowboy returns to the fold to protect his oldest friends. While Bo Peep briefly appears in the background of the trailer without dialogue, and the high-flying Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) makes a cameo, it is hard to imagine Pixar bringing these fan favorites back without giving them significant roles in the unfolding drama.
According to the film’s official synopsis: “The toys are back, and this time, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang face a modern challenge in the form of Lilypad, a cutting-edge tablet device. Lilypad arrives with her own disruptive perspective on what’s best for Bonnie, throwing the future of traditional playtime into question. Can the toys survive the digital age?”
The trailer hints at a sharp ideological clash between Lilypad’s sleek efficiency and the toys’ classic charm. However, in true Pixar fashion, an eventual reconciliation seems likely—lest the studio deviate from its themes of friendship and belonging. Along the journey, audiences are treated to glimpses of a Buzz Lightyear battalion, the chaotic nuptials of Forky, and the familiar, heartwarming bickering between Woody and Buzz.
It promises to be a quintessential Toy Story adventure, blending nostalgia with the realities of modern childhood.
Toy Story 5 arrives in cinemas on June 19.
Source: Polygon
