'Toy Story 4' Won't Be A Continuation Of 'Toy Story 3'

Toy Story 3 felt like such a perfect capper to Woody and Buzz's journey that we couldn't help but wonder why Pixar felt the need to retread old territory with the upcoming Toy Story 4. But it turns out that's not what Pixar has in mind at all.

In a new interview, studio president Jim Morris reveals that the next film will take things in a very different direction, which may or may not be continued in future installments. More on the new Toy Story 4 details after the jump. 

In an interview for Disney Latino, Morris said although Toy Story 4 picks up after Toy Story 3 left off, it isn't a continuation of the earlier trilogy. (Note: All quotes below have been translated by Google from Spanish to English, and then edited for clarity by me.) He explained:

The third movie ended in a beautiful way and completed a trilogy. I think this movie is not part of this trilogy. It is a separate story, which in turn I do not know if will be continued. Never begin a project with that in mind.

So what will this separate story be, exactly? Morris offered some vague hints:

It is not a continuation of the end of the story of Toy Story 3. Temporarily it is, but it will be a love story. It will be a romantic comedy. It will not put much focus on the interaction between the characters and children. I think it will be a very good movie.

The romcom angle is a new one for the franchise, but it's the other reveal that really sets Toy Story 4 apart from previous installments. Woody and Andy's evolving relationship was a crucial element of the first three Toy Story films. The next film sounds more in the vein of the shorts and specials, in which the toys are mostly left to their own devices.

Morris stated the film is currently around the position of being in its third table read, and says the script is "evolving very well." He also reiterated that they aren't making Toy Story 4 for the money, but because they came up with an "irresistible" idea. "The decision to make a second or third [installment] entirely depends on how passionate the director of the project is," he said.

As previously reported, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, and Lee Unkrich dreamed up the story, and Rashida Jones and Will McCormack are writing the script. Jones and McCormack are new to Pixar, but know their way around love stories — they previously scripted the breakup dramedy Celeste and Jesse Forever.

Lasseter is directing Toy Story 4, which is due to be released June 16, 2017.