Pixar is seemingly never letting go of the Toy Story universe, and if the studio can find ways to bring back old characters, like Andy, there is a simple way to do it. The Toy Story film series has “ended” a couple of times in the past 15 years. First, Woody and co. returned for Toy Story 3, which concluded with Andy leaving for college. Then, the franchise was revived without Andy in Toy Story 4. The fourth movie featured the toy characters going on a road trip with their new owner, Bonnie, where Woody reunited with Bo Peep.

Following Toy Story 4‘s release, it was unclear if Woody staying with Bo Peep while the other toys returned home with Bonnie would serve as the franchise’s official ending. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Disney’s profits. Consequently, the company decided to circle back to what worked in the past, and Toy Story is one of Disney/Pixar’s most reliable IPs. Just like that, Toy Story 5 was born. Toy Story 5‘s story reportedly revolves around the toys struggling to compete with technology for children’s attention. So, the upcoming film is likely a sequel, meaning Andy won’t appear.

Who Was Andy’s Favorite Toy Before Woody?

Andy’s Life Before Woody Is Unknown

If Andy were to return in a future Toy Story project, the easiest way to bring him back would be via a prequel. Nothing concrete is known about Andy’s life before the events of the first movie. Of course, he was quite young at the time, and there wouldn’t be many significant moments to warrant the making of a whole film. However, one aspect of Andy’s life pre-Toy Story that has plagued fans for three decades could make for a great movie plot — who was Andy’s favorite toy before he got Woody?

Since the beginning of Toy Story, Woody has always been Andy’s favorite (aside from his brief Buzz Lightyear phase). There must have been someone that came before Tom Hanks’ character, though. Most children get their first toy the day they are born, and it’s unlikely (although not entirely impossible) that Andy wasn’t gifted Woody until he was older. Some fans have shared their theories concerning Andy’s first favorite toy (like on this Reddit thread), with some believing it was Mr. Potato Head, while others think it was a toy no longer around. Ultimately, we simply don’t have the answer.

A Toy Story Prequel Could Show How Andy & Woody’s Friendship Came To Be

The Franchise Began With Andy & Woody Already Close

Regardless of who Andy’s first favorite toy was in the Toy Story universe, this premise would be the perfect way to weave him back into the story. A prequel allows Andy’s return and could show the early days of his and Woody’s friendship. Meanwhile, Andy would have to be an adult in a sequel, and perhaps Pixar should save that version of his return for the real Toy Story ending.

When the first Toy Story movie begins, Andy and Woody are already as thick as thieves. The origins of their close bond are unknown, but a possible prequel could finally give the audience answers about Andy’s life pre-Woody and how the cowboy entered the young kid’s world. It would be a sweet, emotional story, perfect for Pixar.

A Toy Story Prequel About Andy’s First Toys Wouldn’t Have To Be A Movie

A Prequel Could Be A Short

The good news is that a Toy Story prequel wouldn’t have to be the sixth movie in the franchise. Instead, Andy’s origin story could be a Disney+ TV show, a special, or a short, while Toy Story 6 (if and when Pixar greenlights it) could continue the chronological order of the films. Nowadays, the options for a prequel are endless. The idea of exploring the early days of Andy and Woody’s friendship doesn’t confine Pixar to one type of media, making Andy’s Toy Story return even more possible.

Toy Story

Created by

John Lᴀsseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft

Cast

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Joan Cusack, Michael Keaton, Estelle Harris

Source: Reddit