As much as I love the stories that movies tell, I love the stories behind the films even more. I live for secrets from the set, information about how the talent got along, and insight on the challenges and successes that it took to put the project together. Yes, I’m nosey like that! I want all of the tea!

Well, I got that and more on my visit to Pixar (and the Pixar Archives!!!) to learn everything about the making of the new Toy Story 4. I just ate up all of the firsthand info about everything from what it took to finally give Bo Peep top billing in the new film, to how Forky, my new favorite character, was created. 

RELATED: Bo Peep is back and more brave than ever!

Our team of journalists met with animators, the film’s director Josh Cooley, technical directors, set supervisors, and more. And y’all—they told us EVERYTHING! And since I can’t hold water, let me spill some of the secrets of the Toy Story franchise, including information from Toy Story 4.

Things you didn’t know about Pixar and the Toy Story franchise

1. Toy Story was Pixar’s first feature film.

2. Before making movies, Pixar made really great commercials!

3. The very first sequence ever produced in Toy Story was of the toy soldiers parachuting down.

4. Toy Story 2 was made in about 8 months.

5. Toy Story 2 was more successful than the first film in the box office. 

6. Toyz in the Hood was one of the suggested titles that was eventually rejected for the film.

Interesting info about Toy Story 4 from its creators

7. The biggest part of the production budget in Toy Story 4 went to the rain sequence. 

8. It took nearly 2 years to create the Antiques Mall featured in Toy Story 4. 

9. Creating a prop can take a few hours to a few weeks. There are over 10,000 items in the Antiques Mall in Toy Story 4!

10. It took 3 months to light the Antiques Mall. As Scott Clark, supervising animator at Pixar says, “It takes a few weeks to work on a few seconds onscreen.”

11. An artificial intelligence spider created the cobwebs in the Antiques Mall sequence!

12. Animators took resource trips to a carnival to be able to get an accurate representation for the sequence. 

13. Every single Pixar film is represented at least once in the Antiques Mall. Look out for the Coco guitar and the Pizza Planet truck!

[mv_video key=”x7z40so95cuenft7gzpv” volume=”50″ aspectRatio title=”Toy Story 4 Merch at Walmart!” thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/x7z40so95cuenft7gzpv.jpg”]14. Although Don Rickles passed before filming started on Toy Story 4, creators were able to use his past performances as Mr. Potato Head to honor him in the film.

15. The toys featured in the background of the film intentionally pay an homage to the artists’ childhood toys.

16. Bo Peep was a big inspiration for having a 4th Toy Story film.

17. When characters are created, it’s not assumed what they’ll sound like. The actors really bring the characters to life. 

About Toy Story 4

From the studio:

Woody has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”), Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarToyStory/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/toystory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ToyStory/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyPixar

Voice Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Jeff Pidgeon, Blake Clark, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele

Director: Josh Cooley

Producers: Jonas Rivera, Mark Nielsen

Toy Story 4 arrives in theaters on June 21, 2019!

Advance tickets available now for Toy Story 4!

Be sure to check out these special events the day before  “Toy Story 4” officially opens!  

Opening Night Fan Events will invite fans to be among the first to experience the movie on Thursday, June 20. In addition to watching the film early, attendees will receive a set of “Toy Story 4” collectible character cards and be a special event-only concession offer.

“Toy Story 4” Movie Marathons take moviegoers on a “Toy Story” extravaganza on Thursday, June 20, showing all four “Toy Story” films back to back. In addition to seeing Buzz, Woody and all their Toy Story friends on the big screen, fans will receive an exclusive Woody pin, a set of collectible character cards and get a special event-only concession offer.

Check Fandango.com for more information and to find participating theaters.

Want to know if Toy Story 4 is appropriate for your kiddo? Check out this review of Toy Story 4 from Amiyrah at 4 Hats & Frugal where she answers the question, “Is Toy Story 4 okay for kids?”