Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch hasn’t even been in theaters for a week and suddenly Disney is drawing attention to next summer’s release of Toy Story 4. They’re even teasing a new character in the upcoming animated film but he’s not really a toy, is he?
Disney/Pixar’s new teaser trailer features favorite characters holding hands and floating around in the clouds: Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Mr. and Mrs. Potato head, Slinky Dog, Rex, a little green alien and … a spork?
“I don’t belong here!” he screams and runs off breaking the chain and leaving viewers with two big questions:
- Why is there a spork in the story?
- Who is the voice behind the spork?
A cross between a spoon and a fork, “Forky” is one of the newest characters to be featured in a Toy Story movie.
Bonnie, the new owner of Woody and the gang, created Forky as a craft project and considers him to a toy, but the high-strung Forky wants nothing to do with it. However, Pixar says that every time he tries to break away from the gang, he is brought back in.
“The world of Toy Story is built upon the idea that everything in the world has a purpose,” said director Josh Cooley in a recent press release.
“A toy’s purpose is to be there for its child. But what about toys that are made out of other objects?
“Forky is a toy that Bonnie made out of a disposable spork, so he’s facing a crisis. He wants to fulfill his purpose as a spork, but now has a new toy purpose thrust upon him.”
Toy Story 4 cast: Who is voicing Forky?
The Toy Story movies feature not only a great cast of characters, but also fantastic voices to go with them including Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Joan Cusack (Jessie), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head), Wallace Shawn (Rex) and John Ratzenberger (Hamm). Adding to the cast for the toys’ fourth adventure is Tony Hale as Forky.
“It’s a huge thrill to be part of the Toy Story family,” Said Hale. “But it’s going to take a while for it to really sink in.”
“When we thought up this character, Tony was the first actor that came to mind and I’m thrilled he accepted,” said Cooley. “Tony’s performance as Forky is a comedy salad of confidence, confusion, and empathy… served by hilarious spork.”
At least Forky won’t be alone. Earlier today Disney released another hilarious teaser trailer featuring two more new characters: carnival prize stuffed animals Ducky and Bunny who might sound familiar to you.
“Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, who voice Ducky and Bunny, are two of the most brilliant minds I’ve ever seen,” said Cooley. “Of course, they are effortlessly funny, which would be enough. But they are incredible actors that understand story.”
“Their improvs weren’t just for comedy sake, they were story motivated which elevated Ducky and Bunny and the film to a level I never could have expected.”
Toy Story 4 comes to theaters on June 21, 2019.