Pixar Pauses Toy Story 5 Production for Screenplay Rewrite
Directors Kenna Harris and Andrew Stanton halted production for two weeks to fix the film's first act.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Animation
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Pixar filmmakers paused the production of Toy Story 5 for two weeks to conduct a total rewrite of the screenplay. Directors Kenna Harris and Andrew Stanton implemented the hiatus after discovering the initial conflict regarding Bonnie's playtime failed to resonate with audiences.
Why it matters
The production team recognized that the film's first act was not working and opted for a structural overhaul to better explore the emotional connection between Jessie and Bonnie. This process prioritized character development over original story concepts to ensure the narrative met studio standards.
The production team implemented a mandatory two-week pause to address narrative issues in the film's opening act. The final script incorporates new scenes including a time capsule and a tire-swing tree.
The players
Kenna Harris
She is a co-director and screenwriter for Toy Story 5 who collaborated with Andrew Stanton on the project.
Andrew Stanton
He is an established Pixar director who spearheaded the production of the film and invited Kenna Harris to co-direct in 2022.
Pixar
This is the renowned animation studio responsible for developing and producing the Toy Story franchise.
The details
Co-directed by Kenna Harris and Andrew Stanton, the creative team utilized a collaborative process called playtime weeklies to refine imagination sequences. The directors conducted research for the project during a trip to BreyerFest in Kentucky to better inform the film's core narrative.
Timeline
Late 2022: Andrew Stanton invited Kenna Harris to co-direct the film.
Friday, October 16, 2026: Kenna Harris discussed the production process at the View Conference in Turin.
Industry Dynamics
The strategic pause for Toy Story 5 underscores the high-stakes iterative process often required in major animated franchise development. By prioritizing a total rewrite over maintaining the original schedule, the studio mirrors broader industry efforts to avoid franchise fatigue.
The decision to rewrite the film indicates a shift in the final creative direction of the upcoming installment. Audience members can expect a narrative focused more on the bond between Jessie and Bonnie than previously intended.
The takeaway
The production delay demonstrates that even established film franchises must remain flexible enough to pivot when initial story beats fail to connect. Directors often find that pausing to diagnose core narrative issues is the most effective way to secure long-term audience engagement.
Further reading
Learn more about current trends in the field on the United States Animation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Variety.
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