Toy Story 5: Buzz Lightyear Faces a Shocking Twist in Opening Scene

What happens in Toy Story 5’s opening scene?

Pixar unveiled Toy Story 5’s opening moments at Destination D23 in Orlando, surprising fans with a strange new twist. The sequence begins with Tim Allen’s Buzz Lightyear opening his eyes under a palm tree, seemingly lost. He soon finds a box for another Buzz model labelled “Hi-Tech Edition” before stumbling upon a shipwreck crate full of unopened Buzz action figures.

When activated, the Buzzes all march to the edge of the island and realize they are stranded. At night, they gather around a fire and begin chanting “Rendezvous with Star Command” while building a massive raft to set sail toward the stars.

Who is directing Toy Story 5?

The movie is directed by Andrew Stanton, who is returning to helm this sequel. Pixar CEO Pete Docter has promised “surprising” and “really cool stuff” in the story. Toy Story 5 will also reunite Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, and much of the original cast. The film is set to release on June 19, 2026.

Is the Buzz Lightyear twist real or just a fantasy?

Long-time fans know Pixar often opens Toy Story movies with epic playtime or fantasy sequences. Toy Story 2, for example, began with Buzz fighting Emperor Zurg, only for it to be revealed as Rex playing a video game. Similarly, Toy Story 3 opened with Andy’s imagination turning playtime into a blockbuster-style adventure.

This raises the question: Is the army of Buzzes on an island part of the “real” story, or is it simply a fantasy introduction meant to spark the adventure?

How will technology affect Toy Story 5’s storyline?

Pixar has confirmed that Toy Story 5 will explore how modern technology changes the way children play, raising concerns about what this means for classic toys like Woody, Buzz, and their friends. With fans already worried about the fate of some beloved characters, the franchise seems ready to tackle deeper questions about the future of play.

Where is the original Buzz Lightyear?

One of the biggest mysteries from the opening sequence is the absence of Andy or Bonnie’s name on the Buzzes’ feet. This suggests that Tim Allen’s original Buzz is still missing when the movie begins. Fans will have to wait for the first trailer, likely dropping in late 2025 or early 2026, to find out where the real Buzz is and how he fits into this new adventure.