‘Inside Out’ Head of Story Joins ‘Toy Story 4’ as Co-Director

Now that it appears that the shock of last week’s news concerning the story and direction of Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 4 has (mostly) sunk in, we have a new report of a rising talent at Pixar who will (as things always go in animation) get to share the director’s chair.

Collider recently reported that Josh Cooley, head of story on Pixar’s upcoming film Inside Out, has joined John Lasseter as co-director on Toy Story 4.

Cooley began his career as an intern on the first Cars and has gradually worked his way up ever since. In addition to having written a children’s book, he will also direct a short film that will be featured on the Inside Out Blu-Ray.

When featured in a Variety article highlighting the top 10 animators to watch, he talked about having seen Toy Story for the first time and what made him a fan:

“When I first saw ‘Toy Story’ I was amazed by the groundbreaking computer-generated animation. But it was the strong storytelling that kept me coming back. ‘Toy Story 4’ will continue that tradition and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it!”

The film will be directed by John Lasseter and Josh Cooley from a screenplay by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack (based on a story conceived by Lasseter and members of his brain trust). The film will be a romantic comedy and will not be a direct continuation of the original trilogy.

What do you think? Any thoughts on this development? Does this change your mind about Toy Story 4 at all?

Edited by: Kelly Conley