Andrew Stanton says Toy Story 5 will likely be his last animated film: 'The math doesn't add up'

Key facts

• Andrew Stanton, Pixar's ninth employee and second animator, has been with the studio for 36 years.
• Stanton is 60 years old and says creating one movie takes about four years, equivalent to earning a college degree.
• Toy Story 5 is the only Toy Story film Stanton has directed, though he co-wrote every franchise entry.
• Stanton won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature for Finding Nemo (2003) and WALL-E (2008).
• Tom Hanks, voice of Woody, said he can understand the time commitment, noting that production babies on the first film were 3½ years old by release.
• Tim Allen, voice of Buzz Lightyear, reacted to Stanton's potential departure by saying, 'Now you've depressed me.'
• Stanton thinks Pixar could develop two more Toy Story movies with just two months of brainstorming about mundane toy life.

A 36-year run approaches its end

Andrew Stanton, the director of Toy Story 5 and a foundational figure at Pixar, has indicated that the upcoming film will likely be his last as a director of an animated feature. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Stanton said, 'This is probably the last one I'm gonna do.' He joined Pixar as its ninth employee and second animator at age 24, and has now spent 36 years at the studio. Stanton, now 60, explained that the four-year commitment required to make a single animated film feels increasingly heavy as he ages. 'Four years goes so much faster the older you get, and I want my four years to last so long,' he said. 'I don't wanna blink one more movie and be close to 70.' He described working in animation as living on 'rock time,' where the rock remains while cities rise and fall. 'I need to go back to real time,' he added.

Stanton's directing legacy: from Nemo to WALL-E

Stanton earned his first Academy Award for directing Finding Nemo (2003), which won Best Animated Feature. He won the same award again for WALL-E (2008). Both films were also nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Stanton co-wrote every Toy Story movie and was nominated for an Oscar for the original Toy Story's screenplay. His other directing credits include A Bug's Life (co-director), John Carter, In the Blink of an Eye, and episodes of Stranger Things and Better Call Saul. Despite his achievements, Stanton admitted he previously thought Finding Dory (2016) would be his last directing job. 'So I've got a lot of egg on my face,' he said. 'I'm not saying never, but the math doesn't add up.'

Voices of the franchise react

Tom Hanks, who voices Woody, recalled that on the first Toy Story, the closing credits included 'production babies' because the film took so long to make. 'Some people get married, have babies, and by the time the movie comes out, the babies are 3-and-a-half years old,' Hanks said. 'So I can understand that it takes quite a bite out of somebody's… not life, time-wise, but also the creative energy.' Tim Allen, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, expressed dismay at the news. 'I don't like that. Now you've depressed me,' he said. Joan Cusack, who plays Jessie, praised Stanton's passion: 'You can't be more passionate about what you're doing than Andrew Stanton.'

Creative energy remains, but time is finite

Stanton emphasized that he is not lacking in creative energy. 'I still talk too fast. My brain goes faster,' he said. He remains VP of creative at Pixar, a role he will continue. However, he is acutely aware of the time cost. 'So for me, personally, it's just about my desire to milk the most out of a day and out of a week and out of a month,' he explained. He noted that Pixar could easily generate material for two more Toy Story movies with just two months of brainstorming about the 'mundane' elements of a toy's life, potentially shifting focus to different characters. Tom Hanks echoed that sentiment, saying the franchise's unique storytelling is why 'I feel like it can keep going.'

What comes next for Toy Story and Pixar

Toy Story 5 is the only Toy Story film Stanton has directed, but his deep involvement in the franchise's writing means his influence will persist. With Stanton stepping back from directing, Pixar will need to find new leadership for future animated projects. The studio has a history of developing new talent, but Stanton's departure marks the end of an era for a director who helped shape its identity. Stanton's decision reflects a broader reality in animation: the years required to make a single film can consume a significant portion of a career. As he put it, 'I've been on rock time for most of my career.' The industry will watch closely to see who takes up the mantle.

The bottom line

• Andrew Stanton, Pixar veteran of 36 years, says Toy Story 5 will likely be his last animated directing job due to the four-year time commitment.
• Stanton has won two Oscars for Best Animated Feature (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) and co-wrote all Toy Story films.
• Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, voices of Woody and Buzz, expressed understanding and dismay, respectively, at Stanton's potential departure.
• Stanton remains VP of creative at Pixar and believes the studio could generate two more Toy Story movies with minimal brainstorming.
• The announcement signals a generational shift at Pixar as one of its founding directors steps back from feature animation.