Toy Story

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Theatrical Release Date: November 22, 1995
Estimated Budget: $30 Million
U.S. Box Office Gross: $191 Million
Worldwide Box Office: $361 Million

Cast
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, R. Lee Ermey, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Erik Von Detten and Sarah Freeman

Credits
Music by: Randy Newman
Produced By: Bonnie Arnold and Ralph Guggenheim
Story by: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter and Joe Ranft
Screenplay by: Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow
Directed by: John Lasseter

Tidbits

  • Early versions of Buzz Lightyear included Lunar Larry & Tempus from Morph?!
  • Woody began as a ventriloquist’s dummy before becoming the rootin’ tootin’ cowboy we now love.
  • Other screenwriters brought in to work on the script included Joel Cohen & Alec Sokolow and Joss Whedon (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Angel & Firefly).
  • Joss Whedon was heavily involved (for more than six months) on re-writes of the script. Some of his contributions included adding the dinosaur Rex, some bits with the mutant toys and a Barbie storyline that was ultimately cut. Barbie was supposed to rescue Woody and Buzz from Sid, but Mattel was unwilling to grant permission for her use. Of course, they reconsidered for the sequels.
  • Hasbro refused to license G.I. Joe and Mattel did the same for Barbie.
  • Tom Hanks was always the first choice for Woody, but early considerations for Buzz included Jim Carrey (still unknown) and Billy Crystal (he turned down the role).
  • Pixarian Joe Ranft begins his impressive body of Pixar voice work with Lenny.
  • Toy Story was the highest grossing film of 1995 and the first animated film ever nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay.
  • John Lasseter received a special achievement Academy Award for the film.
  • Empire magazine ranked Toy Story #99 on their list of the 500 Greatest Films of All Time.

astroblasters

  • Toy Story has inspired five Buzz Lightyear attractions at Disney theme parks. All are similar in nature as you move through an interactive environment shooting at targets with your Space Ranger blaster.
    • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin opened at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on November 3, 1998.
    • Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters opened at Tokyo Disneyland on April 15, 2004.
    • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters opened at Disneyland on March 17, 2005.
    • Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters opened at Hong Kong Disneyland on September 12, 2005.
    • Buzz Lightyear Laster Blast opened at Disneyland Park Paris on April 8, 2006.

midwaymania

  • Toy Story Midway Mania! are two recent Toy Story inspired additions to the Disney theme parks. They opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Florida) and Disney’s California Adventure in Spring 2008.