Toy Story 4’s creators are unpacking the great existential mysteries of the established Toy Story universe: how do toys become alive? At what point do they crossover from mere inanimate object to objects with thoughts and feelings? What happens when there are no more kids to be donated to and the toys are left to rot in a landfill/museum/carnival? Do they ever lose sentience?! Can a toy die?!? CAN A TOY DIE?!?!?!
Well, maybe we won’t get the answer to the last couple of questions. To help explore the existential dread, old characters like Bo Peep and new ones like Forky, Gabby, and Keanu Reeves’ Doom Caboom join the cast.
In the latest trailer, the existential dread is a bit lighter in order to focus on the action. Bonnie goes on a road trip with her family, her toys in tow, bringing us to new locations in the Toy Story Cinematic Universe (TSCU): a frenzied carnival and a very creepy antique store. Doom Caboom pulls of some sweet stunts and Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s characters Ducky and Bunny get into some mischief. They team up to rescue Sporky, so that Bonnie is reunited with her new makeshift toy.
It’s a bunch of hijinks starring new characters that will almost certainly make more sense in the context of the full. It’s silly! And fun! But we’re certain the philosophical questions will seep in eventually. Time waits for no toy.
Toy Story 4 comes out on June 21.
The next level of puzzles.
Take a break from your day by playing a puzzle or two! We’ve got SpellTower, Typeshift, crosswords, and more.
