With the upcoming release of Disney/Pixar's Lightyear, audiences follow the origin story of one of the most recognizable animated characters in recent memory: Buzz Lightyear. Buzz as a character is always sure of himself, but Disney animators questioned his inner life.
In an interesting and unexpected spin, instead of following a toy, the animated feature follows a new adventure led by the Buzz that Andy's space ranger toy was based on. And after this intriguing take on a classic Toy Story character, this begs the question: what other toys in Andy's Room deserve their own stand-alone prequel?
Duke Caboom
Keanu Reeves' Canadian daredevil sped into Toy Story 4 as a side character, but a memorable one nonetheless. Duke Caboom was one of many new toys introduced as Woody and the gang followed Bo Peep into Second Chance Antiques from the nearby carnival.
Duke Caboom's origin story would be an action-filled sports film that lives up to his daredevil persona. He'd have his signature white outfit, and his motorcycle would have a prominent role. This pseudo-prequel might be an against-all-odds sports flick following Duke living up to his stage name in his native Canada.
Bullseye
As Woody's trusty companion, Bullseye acts as a lovable sidekick. First introduced in Toy Story 2 alongside Jessie, he's uncompromising in his loyalty and goofy antics. While he is a silent character, an individual film exploring his backstory could be of interest to fans.
While Disney is known for their animal-led animated movies, one starring Bullseye could function as a fun-filled adventure similar to Dreamworks' Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Audiences learning how he got his singular name and seeing him run wild in the west could be what this silent supporting character needs.
Hamm
The cynical piggy bank with the memorable one-liners from Toy Story has continued to steal the hearts of audiences everywhere. Hamm, voiced by Pixar icon John Ratzenberger, has been a mainstay of the Toy Story crew since the franchise began. His knowledge of the outside world makes his advice much needed in dire situations.
With Hamm being a piggy bank, Disney animators would likely formulate his personal tale as a Charlotte's Web/Babe interpretation. This would be both hilarious and entertaining given Ratzenberger's iconic line delivery. Hamm's realist approach to the world would make him a refreshing main character in a film set on a pig farm. Imagine the camaraderie!
Stinky Pete
Stinky Pete the Prospector, who serves as the main antagonist in Toy Story 2, starts out as a grandfatherly type to Woody after it's revealed he's part of the Woody's Roundup TV show. He soon reveals his true colors, as a jaded, manipulative, and well-spoken prospector doll forgotten amid the popularity of space toys.
While the origin story for Stinky Pete, Jessie, and Woody are somewhat explored in a made-for-television cowboy special, seeing this dynamic play out would be interesting. Given his manipulative personality, which contrasts from the shots seen in the Toy Story sequel, it would make a compelling character study.
Bo Peep
Although Bo-Peep isn't the main character of the first three Toy Story films, she's given much-needed agency in the fourth that propels her into lead character status. Bo Peep puts away her pink gown and bonnet and opts for a practical pantsuit that matches her newfound attitude.
A spin-off for Bo Peep, given her personality upgrade from the events of Toy Story 4, might be another interesting take on the heroine. Pulling from classic literature and fairytales, her literary origin includes a plot to help a princess who is turned into an owl. Utilizing magic and cunning, her individual film could allude to Disney fairytales of yesteryear.
Little Green Aliens
The Little Green Alien toys make an appearance first in the second Toy Story and recur together throughout the rest of the film franchise. They are classic claw machine toys, first seen when Woody saves Buzz from Pizza Planet.
The Green Aliens may make a real-life counterpart appearance in Lightyear, but a film starring the little green trio would be equally exciting. While they are not fleshed out at all in the original movie, a stand-alone focused on friendship and allegiance to an alien higher power akin to "The Claw" would prove a fun space adventure. A callback to their most memorable line in Toy Story would be great to hear in a new context too.
Emperor Zurg
First introduced in Toy Story 2, Zurg is the stylized robot villian action figure to Buzz's hero. His red eyes, neon teeth, horns, and purple cape are easily recognizable, and a personal adventure exploring the mind inside the robot could be an exciting idea.
While his appearance in Lightyear is expected, a deeper exploration into Zurg's origin would be interesting. Is there a human side to the unfeeling synthezoid? How did he become an emperor? A parody of Darth Vader, referenced in Toy Story 2, seeing Zurg's humanity, or lack thereof, would be the coolest. It could follow his adventures as an all-powerful baddie traversing the galaxy.
Rex
Rex the toy dinosaur's excitable and nervous nature makes him the most naive toy in Andy's Room. Despite his ferocious design, Rex is gentle in nature, and rather insecure in his inability to roar like a real dinosaur. He's the most child-like of the toys, and is an extremely relatable character to fans of the original Toy Story.
Rex's origin story could be an interesting deep dive into the character. While his neurotic energy permeates what moves he makes, a film version could follow Rex living his best life in the Mesozoic era. In the same vein as 2015's The Good Dinosaur, a tale featuring Rex could push him out of his shell. A fearful animated main character is rarely a popular choice, so one as beloved as Rex could make a difference for fans who connect with him.
Jessie
Jessie the Cowgirl stole the hearts of audiences with Joan Cusack's energetic performance, and she's one of the most popular additions. Jessie has real spunk that Woody and Buzz lack, and her charisma keeps others on their toes. Her tragic backstory, culminating in her fear of being abandoned, gives her a vulnerability that could be utilized in her own real-life genesis story.
Jessie has qualities that make her the perfect Toy Story character to get their own spin-off. Her combination of lively free-spiritedness and melancholia makes her a different sort of character than fans have seen. An individual film that emphasizes her human feelings and qualities as she traverses the Wild West as the spunky cowgirl fans have come to adore? Sounds perfect.
Sheriff Woody
As the lead toy in the Toy Story franchise, Sheriff Woody is one of the best Pixar characters of all time. Tom Hanks' endearing portrayal makes Woody a character to root for. He cares deeply for his friends, for his owners, and a western starring the strait-laced cowboy would be very exciting.
It's hard to imagine an origin story like Lightyear without considering one for Andy's favorite deputy. Woody's origin is briefly explored in Toy Story 2, which sees him go on various adventures with Bullseye and the Roundup gang in a western small-town setting. A deep dive movie about this would be a nostalgic one for fans of Toy Story 2, and could feature Woody traversing the Wild West with Bullseye.