For many of us, Pixar movies were a special part of our childhood. From Incredibles to Finding Nemo or Up, most of us grew up watching these special classics that continue to amaze and thrill new generations of audiences across the world. In the midst of all these, the Toy Story franchise definitely holds a special, well-deserved place in our hearts.
Since the release of the original film, way back in 1995, Pixar’s groundbreaking animated masterpiece has transcended generations and captivated millions of viewers with its heartfelt stories, lovable characters, and stunning animations. What began as a simple tale of a cowboy doll and a space ranger competing for young Andy’s affection has gone on to evolve into a cultural phenomenon, spanning several movies, spin-offs, millions of dollars worth of merchandise, and an unmatchable enduring legacy in cinema.
Yet, even after years of love and attention the franchise has garnered, there are still plenty of details that remain hidden behind the surface. Whether you are a lifelong fan or just a general audience irresistible to the charm and appeal of the Toy Story franchise, there are several secrets and behind-the-scenes stories that many don’t know. So without further ado, here are some surprising facts about the Toy Story franchise that will make you Yee-haw!
1. Toys in the film are similar to their real-life counterparts
Unlike other animated movies, Pixar’s animators went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the franchise looked as authentic as possible. One way this was done was by ensuring that all toys, throughout the franchise, looked as if they were made from the same material as their real-life counterparts. Whether it was Mr. Potato or Buzz Lightyear or the dog Slink, the textures of each toy appear to be meticulously crafted to resemble their real-life counterparts while still making them appear animated.
Moreover, for instance, Buzz Lightyear’s plastic shell tends to reflect light like molded plastic, while Woody’s fabric clothes display subtle wrinkles and stitching. If this wasn’t enough, another way Pixar ensured authenticity was that each toy, wherever necessary, had its own shadows, making everything feel tangible and authentic.
2. The franchise features actual board games
Throughout the four films, the Toy Story franchise features actual board games in the background. Real-life board games like Operation and Twisters. Others like checkers too are present in the franchise, and these board game pieces actually do come to life, making it a whole lot more interesting (see YouTube).
Even in Andy’s room, one can see the presence of these real-life board games, further adding a layer of nostalgia by creating a relatable setting for viewers who grew up playing with these classic games. Such details can be found in all of the other Toy Story movies, where the animation pays homage to real-life games and toys.
3. Toy Story might not have been greenlit if it wasn’t for The Nightmare Before Christmas
Back in the day, animation wasn’t as advanced as today, and animated films still took hours to make. While films like Beauty and the Beast broke the barriers, it was Toy Story that was truly groundbreaking for the genre by being the first feature-length computer-animated movie ever made. It even won the Guinness World Record for the same.
However, this feat might not have ever been accomplished by Pixar if it wasn’t for Tim Burton‘s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Up to a certain extent, this classic cross-studio film’s success helped the original flick to get green-lit from Disney since no animated Disney film had ever been made outside of the company prior to Burton’s classic (via Deadline).
4. Books in the Toy Story franchise have hidden meanings
The books in the background in the Toy Story franchise are more than just decoration pieces or extra details. Some of the books in Andy’s room actually have hidden meanings, making it a treasure trove of easter eggs and references. Unlike usual animated flicks that tend not to spend much on the extra hidden details that the majority of audiences do not pay heed to, Toy Story animators actually spent a lot of time to make the background just as intriguing.
Pixar filled Andy’s shelves with legible titles and made up books like Feet First, and Pale Cowboy from Texas to Help the Planet. Additionally, apart from references to actual books like Grimm’s Fairy Tales, several books also pay homage to Pixar’s earlier works like Red’s Dream, Tin Toy, Smyrl, Smyrl, Twist and Twirl, The Adventures of André and Wally B. and more.
5. The license plate on Andy’s mom’s car is a fun Easter egg for Pixar-holics
While there are several interesting Easter eggs that audiences fond of Pixar movies can identify, for instance, the famous Pizza Planet truck. Might not know this lesser-known detail. The license plate on the central human character, Andy’s mom’s car, is one that is featured in nearly every Pixar movie. The license number reads A113, which is an iconic code within the world of the Pixar universe and beyond.
This unique code is a nod to a classroom at the California Institute of Arts where several Pixar animators studied. This same number has appeared in other classics from the studio. From classroom door in Monster’s University to a diver’s camera in the beloved Finding Nemo. It can also be spotted in WALL-E, where it is used as a directive code, and Up, where it is used as the number of a courtroom (via Business Insider). This small and mostly unnoticeable detail ties the Toy Story universe to Pixar’s broader legacy and history.
6. Forky was by no means an easy character to create
Now the Toy Story franchise has no shortage of adorable characters. Apart from the main characters, each film in the franchise introduces some new sets of characters and the fourth flick introduces the viewers to ‘Forky.’ Just a fork and nothing really special, the animators at Pixar had a hard time coming up with Forky’s design and reportedly made around over a hundred versions of the same before the ‘toy’ made his on-screen debut.
Creating around 100 different prototypes of Forky in a special ‘sporkshop’ room, each version was made with different materials and featured different designs, as the Blu-ray special revealed. The final design—featuring googly eyes, pipe-cleaner arms, and a spork—was deliberately crafted to look like something Bonnie could assemble from everyday items. The meticulous process and hard work undergone in the creation of such a simple character highlights the dedication of Pixar and makes the Toy Story franchise all the more special.
Toy Story franchise is available to be streamed on Disney+.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
