'Toy Story 4' news: Film will take franchise in new direction

Bo Peep and Woody in Toy StoryPixar

"Toy Story 4" is moving forward but at the time being very little is known about the film other than the fact it will be a love story involving Woody (Tom Hanks) and his search for Bo Peep (Annie Potts). Speaking to Collider, Pixar writer-director Pete Docter gave some insight into what fans should expect of the fourth entry in the series.

Docter first explained that he did help out at the beginning back when the film was still being developed. Docter has a strong background in animated films, being the director of other Pixar films such as "Up" and "Monsters Inc." while also serving as a contributing writer for the first two "Toy Story" movies.

He did confirm that the fourth film isn't being handled solely by the legendary director John Lasseter. This time around Lasseter is being aided by co-director Josh Cooley, who is known for writing the screenplay of "Inside Out" and for directing the follow-up short film "Riley's First Date."

The report also points out that many expected the franchise to end with "Toy Story 3" given how the ending played out a very neat narrative arc that tied the whole series together and brought things full circle. Docter responded to this and stated that they have found a good reason to go forward with a fourth film. 

"Stan pitched something and I can't tell you what it is but it was like [puts hand on heart] 'Ugh! Okay,' you know?" Docter told Collider. "And we all struggled mightily with that because we're on the same boat -- they felt like it wrapped up very nicely. But, man, if we can hit what he was after I think it'll be great."

"Toy Story 4" is set to release on June 15, 2018. Fans won't have to wait for too long as Bustle points out that several other Pixar films will release prior, such as "Cars 3" and "Finding Dory."