Tom Hanks Says Taylor Swift's 'Toy Story 5' Song Was Kept Secret Until 9 p.m. Reveal

Q: With Taylor Swift's song focusing on Jessie, what new chapter is 'Toy Story 5' revealing for the beloved cowgirl?

‘Toy Story 5’ is opening a major new chapter for Jessie: she moves to the center of the story as the toys’ new leader, while also getting an emotional arc about reconnecting with someone from her past. The reporting around the film makes clear that this is “Jessie’s story.” Director Andrew Stanton has said Woody’s journey had largely run its course, leaving Jessie ready to take the badge and lead Bonnie’s toys as they face a new threat from technology, especially Bonnie’s attachment to the AI-powered tablet Lilypad. That puts Jessie at the heart of the film’s central conflict over whether traditional play can survive in a screen-dominated world. Taylor Swift’s original song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” appears to underline that shift by focusing specifically on Jessie’s inner life. The lyrics point to a reunion or rekindled bond with someone she thought was gone, suggesting a “new beginning” tied to memory, loss and renewed connection. That gives Jessie not just a bigger role in the action, but a more personal, emotionally layered storyline than she has had before. Taken together, the film is revealing Jessie as both the franchise’s new emotional anchor and its new sheriff: a character stepping into leadership while confronting unresolved feelings and rediscovering her purpose.

Q: As Woody confronts an AI tablet, will 'Toy Story 5' offer a definitive take on the toys versus screens debate?

No. *Toy Story 5* appears set to address the toys-versus-screens debate head-on, but not with a simple verdict. The film’s central conflict is Bonnie’s attachment to Lilypad, an AI-like tablet voiced by Greta Lee, which pulls her attention away from Woody, Buzz and Jessie. Director Andrew Stanton has said the movie is explicitly about what happens when technology enters playtime and “wins,” reflecting a real anxiety for parents and toy makers alike. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have also framed the story as tapping into children’s screen dependence and shrinking attention spans. But the filmmakers have also been clear that Lilypad is not meant to be a one-note villain. Stanton and co-director McKenna Harris have described the device as part of modern childhood rather than an evil force, arguing that the story aims to reflect the truth of kids’ lives now. In that framing, the tablet represents a new phase for Bonnie, while the toys represent imagination, memory and emotional connection. That suggests *Toy Story 5* will likely argue less for “toys good, screens bad” than for balance. Early reactions from the Los Angeles premiere point in that direction, praising the film for exploring the divide between technology and traditional play in a moving, nuanced way. So while Woody’s clash with Lilypad may sharpen the debate, the movie is unlikely to settle it definitively; it is more likely to defend the value of imaginative play without denying that screens are now part of childhood.

3 articles · Updated · Variety · Jun 10

Hours before the June 1 drop, Tom Hanks said the "Toy Story 5" cast was taken into a soundproof room and told Taylor Swift had recorded the true end-credits song.
Hanks told Variety at the Los Angeles premiere that the cast had previously watched the film with a placeholder track, calling Swift's involvement a "delight."
Disney had teased Swift's role before officially unveiling her song, "I Knew It, I Knew You," through a "Toy Story"-themed countdown clock on her website.
"Toy Story 5" opens June 19, with Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack returning as Woody, Buzz and Jessie alongside several new cast members.

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Variety14h ago

Tom Hanks: Taylor Swift's "Toy Story 5" Song Kept Secret from Cast Until Release

X14h ago

Tom Hanks Says Taylor Swift's 'Toy Story 5' Song Was Kept 'Top Secret' From the Cast Until Release Day.

The Times of India14h ago

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen sign Taylor Swift's 'Toy Story' VHS tape; 'Forrest Gump' actor says he missed taking a selfie with singer | - The Times of India

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Following rave reviews, is 'Toy Story 5' the film that will launch a new golden age for Pixar animation?

With Taylor Swift's song focusing on Jessie, what new chapter is 'Toy Story 5' revealing for the beloved cowgirl?

As Woody confronts an AI tablet, will 'Toy Story 5' offer a definitive take on the toys versus screens debate?

Tom Hanks Says Taylor Swift's 'Toy Story 5' Song Was Kept Secret Until 9 p.m. Reveal

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