More details about Toy Story 4’s ending, in which Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) left Buzz (Tim Allen) and the toys to Bo Peep and the Lost Toys, the fifth movie will bring them back together.
Although many details about Toy Story 5’s plot and cast are still unknown, it has been confirmed to see Woody, Buzz, Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of Andy and Bonnie’s toys reuniting for a new adventure. The main challenge the toys will face this time is technology, with concept art teasing the rise in popularity of tablets. On top of that, the story has been teased to focus on Jessie, who might be in big trouble – and it’s this Jessie tease that might make Toy Story 5 confirm an old but very popular theory about her past.
Toy Story 5 Focusing On Jessie Means It Can Revisit Her Backstory
Jessie’s Backstory Was Briefly Shown In Toy Story 2
Among the confirmed voice cast for Toy Story 5 is Tim Allen, and luckily, he has shared a bit of what the audience can expect from this new story. Of course, Allen has been careful not to reveal too much, but he has shared enough to give a good idea of where the movie will lead. Speaking to Allen opened up about Toy Story 5 and what it will be about, sharing that it’s “a lot about Jessie” and confirming that Woody and Buzz will reunite.
Tim Allen didn’t return to voice Buzz in the movie Lightyear, which tells the origin of the toy. The character was, instead, voiced by Chris Evans.
Allen also spoke about an “unbelievable” opening scene with many Buzz Lightyears, which had already been teased in concept art. Since Jessie’s debut in Toy Story 2, she hasn’t really been in the spotlight, and instead, she has been part of the group but without standing out. However, there was a key moment in Toy Story 2 where Jessie’s backstory was briefly shown, and it was an unforgettable moment not just thanks to its accompanying song (“When She Loved Me”, a real tearjerker), but because of the story itself.
Jessie was owned by a girl named Emily, whom she loved deeply. Emily and Jessie’s relationship was very much like that of Andy and Woody until Emily gradually forgot about Jessie as she grew up and became interested in other things. Years later, after finding Jessie under her bed, Emily took Jessie and other objects to a mobile donation center, and Jessie watched Emily drive away. Toy Story 5 can go back to Jessie’s backstory, exploring her bond with Emily more deeply and either confirming or debunking a popular Toy Story theory.
Toy Story 5 May Finally Confirm Or Deny That Andy's Mom Was Jessie's Owner
A Popular Toy Story Theory Claims Andy’s Mom Was Jessie’s First Owner
Toy Story has been surrounded by various theories for years, but one of the most popular ones is about Jessie’s backstory. The theory claims that Andy’s mom is Emily, Jessie’s owner, based on the short glimpse there is of an older Emily when she abandons Jessie, and on the cowgirl/cowboy hat she wore, which is very much like the one Andy had. The theory suggests Andy’s red hat, which he wore in the first movie while playing with Woody, was his mom’s, who gave it to him when he became obsessed with Woody, just like she did with Jessie.
Although Emily’s hair in Toy Story 2’s flashback is darker than that of Andy’s mom, she could have dyed it when she grew up, as aside from that, they are very similar. As mentioned above, Toy Story 5 focusing on Jessie could lead to it revisiting her backstory, which could confirm or deny that Andy’s mom was Emily.
What Andy's Mom Being Revealed As Emily Would Mean For Jessie In Toy Story 5
Toy Story 5 Could Take A Dramatic Turn
At one point after Toy Story 2, Andy’s mom must have seen Jessie among Andy’s toys, and Jessie must have seen her, too.
The name of Andy’s mom has never been revealed, so if Toy Story 5 decides to confirm this theory, it would be easy to do – however, there are some tricky details. At one point after Toy Story 2, Andy’s mom must have seen Jessie among Andy’s toys, and Jessie must have seen her, too, and given that she had a hard time letting go of Emily, she would have recognized her past owner. Emily, on the other hand, might not have recognized her toy, perhaps just having a brief moment of nostalgia, ing she once had a toy like Jessie.
These details would make the confirmation of the theory more tragic, as Jessie would have made it back to her first owner’s home, though now with Andy as her actual owner, and with Emily not recognizing her or having a moment of reminiscing about their time together. Toy Story 5 could take a very emotional turn when focusing on Jessie, and it’s the perfect time to confirm or deny one of the saga’s most popular theories.
Source: WIVB.

Toy Story 5
- Release Date
- June 17, 2026
- Director
- Andrew Stanton
- Writers
- Andrew Stanton
- Producers
- Pete Docter
Cast
- Tim AllenBuzz Lightyear (voice)
- Woody (Voice)
- Joan CusackJessie (voice)
- Combat Carl (voice)