Ya know folks, sometimes the world is just a batty kind of place. Two days ago I got the script to Toy Story 2 and it rocks. I hadn't heard much since it was announced that they were doing a direct to Video version. The script came and... well y'all've (Robogeek says Z'ha'dum has two apostrophes, so y'all've would too) all seen my room, you know I have a five foot Buzz Lightyear in my room. I finished the script this morning, and talked to Robogeek about it. I told him and my father that it NEEDED to be on the big screen, that it would be a DAMN shame to see this on the small screen. Then the following press release showed up in my email box. This is cool. This script is waaaaaaaaaaaay more 'geeky' cool than the first film. Emperor Zurg appears, Al (of Al's Toy Barn), and the other toys in the Woody playset from 1952. Woody's horse is named Bullseye. Then there is the two other characters.. Prospector and Senorita Cactus. There are many cool surprises of pure geek joy, and the script is tight. Tight tight tight tight TIGHT!!! Well here is Disney and Pixar's press release. Oh and I hope they keep the pigeon sh*t, it's great... GREAT!!!
WOODY AND BUZZ RETURN TO THE BIG SCREEN IN "TOY STORY 2" DUE IN 1999
"Toy Story 2," the exciting all-new sequel to the landmark 1995 computer animated blockbuster, is headed to the big screen with a theatrical release scheduled for the 1999 holiday season, it was announced today (2/5) by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios. Pixar's John Lasseter, an Oscar winner for his work on "Toy Story", will be the executive producer of "Toy Story 2", and "Toy Story" veterans Ash Brannon and Colin Brady will be directing. All of the voice talents from the first film will be reprising their roles for the sequel. The release of "Toy Story 2" follows the international success of the original "Toy Story" which posted a worldwide gross of $360 million and sold more than 22 million videocassettes in the U.S. alone.
"All of us at Pixar and Disney are delighted to be bringing these wonderful characters back to the big screen - we've missed them," said Steve Jobs, CEO of Pixar. "It is also thrilling to have Tom, Tim and a great cast of voice talent back on board for this latest adventure."
"'Toy Story' struck a chord with moviegoers the world over and we think that the sequel has all the right ingredients to be another hit," said Peter Schneider, president of Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Theatrical Productions. "Once again, our partners at Pixar are using their artistry and technology to create great entertainment."
In "Toy Story 2," the fun and adventure continues when Andy goes off to summer camp and the toys are left to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector kidnaps Woody -- who unbeknownst to himself is a highly valued collectable. It's now up to Buzz Lightyear and the gang from Andy's room -- Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm -- to spring into action and save their pal from winding up as a museum piece. There's plenty of excitement and fun as the toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get home before Andy does.
The "Toy Story" sequel reunites all of the voice talents from the original film including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger and Annie Potts. For this latest animated adventure, the cast will also feature David Ogden Stiers, Joan Cusack, Wayne Knight and Estelle Harris. Story development and pre-production on the film began in September, 1996 and animation commenced the following June.
