Disney has pushed back the release of its next Toy Story film.
The release date of the fourth instalment to Pixar’s beloved franchise has been delayed until June 2019.
The film studio have opted to prioritise the sequel to The Incredibles, which will now hit cinemas in June 2018 thanks to an “accelerated production schedule”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Following its 2004 release, The Incredibles went on to win an Oscar and was the second-biggest opening at the time for an animated title. Brad Bird, who directed the original film, will return to helm the sequel.
Disney confirmed last November that Toy Story 4 is in the works with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen reprising their popular roles as Woody and Buzz Lightyear respectively.
Pixar’s president recently revealed that the sequel will not continue the story from Toy Story 3. Instead, the eagerly anticipated sequel will be a “separate story” designed as a “romantic comedy”.
The film studio also announced in November that Rashida Jones and Will McCormack have signed up to write the animated sequel. The pair previously penned the acclaimed 2012 comedy-drama Celeste & Jesse Forever. Jones is also known for her acting roles in Parks And Recreation and I Love You Man.
Recommended
Josh Cooley, described by Disney as a “rising star” of its creative team, will co-direct alongside John Lasseter, who helmed the first two Toy Story films. Cooley served as a storyboard artist on films including The Incredibles, Cars and Ratatouille before working his way up to Head of Story on this year’s Inside Out.