Bo Peep was shockingly absent from Toy Story 3, but despite what fans (and even creatives at Pixar) thought, that movie wasn't the end of the series. Toy Story 4 was built after many years of development but it all started with the idea of bringing Bo Peep back and discovering what she's been up to.
You've probably noticed a change in look to Bo Peep in Toy Story 4's marketing materials, and that's reflective of how much she's evolved since Toy Story 1 & 2. Bo Peep has no owner. She's on her own, with her own little crew, and she's found a new purpose - something that she'll help share with Woody when they finally reunite years later.
Related: Tony Hale Interview About Forky's Origin & Life in Toy Story 4
Returning to voice Bo Peep is the legendary Annie Potts, and as a first for the series, she got to share her voice sessions with Tom Hanks so they could get the maximum possible chemistry and emotion from their interactions. And it totally paid off! Visiting Toy Story Land at Orlando's Walt Disney World, I had the opportunity to chat with Annie Potts about Bo Peep's return and new lifestyle.
Hi Annie, it’s a pleasure to meet you! I want to start by saying congratulations. This movie is tremendously fun. I keep telling everyone that Toy Story 4 has some of the funniest bits in the series but also some of the most emotional bits, and I think Bo Peep is certainly at the center of a lot of that. And she’s also the most capable and knowledgeable character in the film. I want to go back to the beginning. Bo Peep was absent from Toy Story 3 and the director (Josh Cooley) and the producer (Mark Nielsen) told me that when they were building Toy Story 4, the film evolved quite a bit during its years of development – can you tell me if anything changed for Bo Peep and her character arc?
Annie Potts: How she changed?
Yeah, if she did.
Annie Potts: Oh ya she’s changed a lot! She’s grown up. She’s been on a journey that’s been challenging and she has lived up to it by finding all her interior strength to go on and still has a life full of purpose, her own little posse of lost toys around her that have a common purpose in helping children. And she’s found it freeing and fulfilling in every way. It’s very inspiring, isn’t it?
Yes, totally! And it’s certainly captivating when you watch it. I do love the idea of the lost toys and them having their own purpose, and Bo Peep truly embraces that – that nomad lifestyle. And she’s the cornerstone to introducing all these new characters and helping some of these key characters by the end. Do you think Bo Peep would ever change from that lifestyle. Would she ever want to be played with by a kid again? Or is she enjoying the freedom?
Annie Potts: Well, she travels from playground to playground, throwing herself in the way to give children a companion for the day. But whether she would seek out a long-term situation, I don’t know, I think she’s pretty happy where she is. We’ll see what happens after this one.
That’s exactly it. After Toy Story 3, I accepted that as a wonderful ending, and when I watched Toy Story 4 here in beautiful Toy Story Land, I really, really want to see more and I especially want to see more of Bo Peep. Do you think there’s room to tell more Bo Peep stories?
Annie Potts: I would imagine! [Laughs] They’re pretty good with stories. I think she’s a great example of what a modern woman can be.
And for my final question, when Toy Story 4 hits theaters, what are you most excited for fans to see?
Annie Potts: Oh, all of it! All of it! I can’t wait to see it with an audience so I’m really excited to see it with a full audience.
Wonderful. Thank you so much for your time! I’m very excited to show this to my family.
Annie Potts: Thank you!
Toy Story 4 synopsis: Woody (Tom Hanks) 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. So, when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries. Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 is directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”), and produced by Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”) and Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”).
