Jessie Takes Center Stage in Toy Story 5; Director Says Woody's Story is 'Dry'

Jessie, the rootin' tootin' cowgirl from Toy Story, is finally stepping into the spotlight for Toy Story 5. Director Andrew Stanton reveals a surprising reason why: Woody's well of stories is "dry."

Stanton told GamesRadar+ that after four films, Woody needed a break. Instead, he saw a "deep well" of unaddressed issues in Jessie, particularly her painful history of abandonment, famously explored in Toy Story 2. This makes perfect sense for Pixar, known for its emotional gut-punches.

The plot sees Bonnie's toys face a new threat: Lilypad, a high-tech, frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee. Lilypad monopolizes Bonnie's attention, directly challenging the toys' relevance in a screen-obsessed world. This pits Jessie's core insecurity against a modern trend.