Hey howdy hey, fans of Toy Story 4! Think you know more about the latest Toy Story film than the Bookworm himself? You may be right. But just in case, here are a few things you may not know!
For Réjean, and Canada
Did you know that Canada’s greatest stuntman and iconic pose master, Duke Caboom, was voiced by Keanu Reeves, who grew up in Canada and remains a citizen? Reeves is also an avid motorcyclist —he even owns his own motorcycle company. And did you know that Duke Caboom was almost exclusively animated by Canadian artists? His ties to the Great White North run deep! Because good things come in threes, like the perfect maple leaf, here’s one more Duke Caboom fact for the road: did you know that Duke Caboom makes a very quick cameo in Incredibles 2? Can you spot him? Yes, you Canada!
A Star Wars Connection
Here’s a fun one for Toy Story and Star Wars fans: as Woody and Bo Peep make their way through the inside of the Tiki Party pinball machine hideout, keep an eye out for two retro Kenner Star Wars action figures in the background. A closer look reveals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ponda Baba (then known as Walrus Man, for those who owned this iconic toy from the original line) reenacting a classic scene from a cantina far, far away. Bonus points if you recognize the iconic scream that Ponda expels!
Relics of the Past
Speaking of the Second Chance antiques store, a sign on the front door shows that the shop was established the same year as Pixar, 1986. And fittingly so, since the Second Chance shop serves as a Pixar museum. Inside are references to Pixar’s long and illustrious journey through computer animation history.
For example, take a look at the stack of board games next to the movie projector as Woody and Bo Peep prepare to leap over to Gabby Gabby’s cabinet. Each of the board games are named for some of the first films in Pixar’s history: the short films Lifted, Knick Knack, Red’s Dream, and Ed’s Hand —Pixar founder Ed Catmull’s student film where he computer-generated an animation of his own left hand!
Also go Easter egg-hunting in the shop for scream canisters from Monsters, Inc., Bing Bong’s Rocket Wagon and a TripleDent Gum sign from Inside Out, a barracuda from Finding Nemo, the Rivera Family’s sewing machine from their shoe shop in Coco, Charles Muntz’s “Spirit of Adventure” zeppelin from Up, and even a few Dinoco neon signs from Cars!
A Beach Fit for a Director
At the end of the film, Woody and Bo make a stop with their new traveling carnival friends at New Stanton Beach. The beach is named after Toy Story 4 screenwriter and Finding Nemo, WALL•E, and Finding Dory director Andrew Stanton. Stanton has been a key storyteller on all four Toy Story films and the Toy Story of Terror television special. One more bonus fact: did you also know that Andrew Stanton voiced the turtle, Crush in Finding Nemo? Bet he’d enjoy a day surfing at New Stanton Beach for sure, dude!
Keep a close eye out for these details and more when watching Toy Story 4, now available on home video and streaming on Disney+.