Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift may not be the first names that come to mind when thinking about the Toy Story universe, but their journeys into the beloved franchise are proving just as memorable as the characters themselves. With more than $16 billion in global revenue, Toy Story remains one of the most successful entertainment properties ever created. And as anticipation builds for the fifth installment, fresh details suggest its casting stories are every bit as fascinating as the film itself.

So, how did Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift end up becoming part of Pixar’s most iconic franchise? Here’s everything we know. 

According to producer Lindsey Collins, Bad Bunny’s connection to Toy Story 5 began long before casting discussions started. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the global music star shared videos of himself playing with Toy Story dolls, which eventually caught the attention of Pixar’s creative team. What began as a small role reportedly grew into a much larger one once the filmmakers saw his enthusiasm and performance. He ultimately joined the film as Pizza With Sunglasses, one of Toy Story 5’s newest toy characters.

“He filmed these little videos of himself during covid, playing with Toy Story dolls. We just happened to see them... when we recorded with him, his part went from one line to a whole bunch!” Collins told Discussing Film.

Taylor Swift, meanwhile, was reportedly approached through a heartfelt letter from producer Jessica Choi. The message drew parallels between Swift’s trailblazing career and Jessie’s journey, highlighting the singer’s success in navigating a male-dominated industry while positioning the beloved cowgirl at the center of Toy Story 5‘s story. The pitch ultimately led to Swift contributing the original song 'I Knew It, I Knew You', adding another unexpected chapter to the film’s increasingly star-studded lineup.

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Of course, there is a reason why stars continue to flock to the franchise, as Toy Story’s box-office success has only soared since its debut in 1995.

Since first arriving in theaters in 1995, Toy Story has grown from a groundbreaking animated film into one of Hollywood’s most successful franchises. The original movie grossed approximately $373 million worldwide and became the first fully computer-animated feature film in history. Toy Story 2 followed with an impressive $511 million global haul, but the franchise reached a new level with Toy Story 3, which earned $1.066 billion and became the first animated film ever to cross the billion-dollar milestone. Nearly a decade later, Toy Story 4 edged past its predecessor with a worldwide total of $1.074 billion, making it the highest-grossing installment in the franchise to date.

Directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, the latest installment explores the battle between traditional toys and modern technology as Bonnie becomes increasingly attached to a smart tablet named Lilypad. The story once again reunites franchise icons Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie while introducing several new characters voiced by stars including Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, Keanu Reeves, Anna Faris, Craig Robinson, Bad Bunny, and Ernie Hudson. 

Whether through unexpected casting stories or another ambitious adventure for Woody, Buzz, and Jessie, Toy Story 5 appears ready to build on a legacy that has spent nearly three decades turning childhood favorites into a billion-dollar phenomenon.

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What are your thoughts on Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift’s unique connections to Toy Story 5? Let us know in the comments.