A new teaser of the upcoming Toy Story 4 was released on February 3rd.  Directed by Josh Cooley and written by Stephany Folsom, the film is scheduled to be released on June 21st.

  Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are reprising their roles as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, along with the rest of the cast.  Annie Potts and Joan Cusack will also be returning to their roles as Bo Peep and Jessie.  A new cast member is Tony Hale, who plays Forky, a spork made into a toy.

  The production of the movie was announced in 2014, despite Lee Unkrich, the director of Toy Story 3, who said in 2010 that a sequel was not planned.  Originally, John Lasseter and Josh Cooley were to co-direct, but after complications, Lasseter stepped down.  He, however, remained an executive producer.

  The movie takes place as Bonnie, the toys’ new owner, takes them on a road trip, joined by Forky.  As much as Woody tries to convince Forky to embrace being a toy, their trip takes a surprising turn―Woody reunites with Bo Peep, his long-lost friend.

  Many fans were both surprised and excited that Bo Peep would be returning.

  Hannah Vickers (9), a fan of the franchise, said, “I think Bo Peep coming back will be extremely interesting.”

  Lasseter commented that Bo Peep was inspired by his wife, saying, “My wife Nancy has an incredible emotional story, before I met her, so it’s a very personal story… It’s a very touching story that’s inspired by my love for my wife.”

  The continuation of the Toy Story series was a surprising decision.  Some viewers felt that Toy Story 3 ended with a sense of finality and that a continuation is uncalled for.

  Keertana Panyam (9), who watched the previous Toy Story movies, said, “I don’t think they should be making a fourth movie because the trilogy would have been the perfect ending.  A fourth movie is really unnecessary.”

  Still, fans await the fourth movie with eager anticipation.  Along with new cast members and a new storyline, the movie will be released this summer.