Toy Story 4 Rumors Hopefully Premature

COMMENTARY | Toy Story 4 speculation shot up days ago when Tom Hanks told the BBC that it was already in production. Pixar itself hasn't said a fourth installment is in the works, although it has been busy with the release of Cars 2 and the first trailer for Brave. But if Pixar had announced it was making a new adventure for Buzz, Woody and company, it could have overshadowed how Cars 2 became its first critical bomb. However, if the studio is making another installment, it might not be the best way to turn things around.

Financially, there is no downside to making Toy Story 4, especially after the massive success of the third movie. Audiences around the world would flock to see the gang again, especially since the toys are out of Andy's house. In addition, a new Toy Story short that premiered in front of Cars 2 garnered better reviews than the movie itself.

Making new shorts of the toys is one thing, but another movie is something else altogether. In fact, if Hanks is telling the truth and another film is in the works, it could be another example of how Pixar is starting to slip up lately.

Now that Cars 2 proved Pixar isn't perfect, there is much more of a risk in making another Toy Story movie. Nowadays, the studio has become more dependent on sequels, and is starting to seem less original than usual. If this reliance is driving Pixar to make a fourth Buzz/Woody film, it run the risk of ruining a perfect ending to a beloved film series.

When Toy Story 3 came out, many were skeptical that it could top or match the first two classics. It not only did so but became one of the biggest tear-jerkers of the last decade, especially in the final act. There could have been no better or more fitting way for the trilogy to end. As such, no one would have complained if that was how the series concluded.

But a fourth installment would have a 1 percent chance of having a similarly perfect ending, especially since it really isn't necessary on a creative level. Pixar found a good excuse to continue the story with the third film and bring the series full circle. Yet it is hard to imagine it can do the same with a fourth movie -- especially if Cars 2 is a sign of things to come.

This is a new world for Pixar, one where it is capable of making mistakes, one too many sequels, and a Toy Story movie that appears to be very unnecessary right now. As such, unless Pixar redeems itself for Cars 2 soon, and unless it has the greatest idea possible for Woody and Buzz's return, fans have to hope that Hanks was premature in talking about a Toy Story 4.

Sources

BBC News- "Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks talks about new film"