Josh Cooley to co-direct 'Toy Story 4' with John Lasseter; Rashida Jones and Will McCormack to write 'Toy Story 4' screenplay

By Staff Writer

Mar 16 2015, 05:59 AM EDT

With Josh Cooley co-directing "Toy Story 4", fans are expecting a "unique" twist to the famous Disney and Pixar series.

Cooley, together with Pixar veteran, John Lasseter who directed the first "Toy Story" film and co-directed "Toy Story 2", have reportedly been working on a romantic twist for "Toy Story 4".

The fourth installment of the Disney-Pixar animation will start from where "Toy Story 3" left off. However, unlike the previous "Toy Story" movies, it will be a romantic-comedy with either Buzz Lightyear or Woody having a new love interest.

Cooley, in an interview with Variety, said, "To be co-director on "Toy Story 4" with John, who brought the "Toy Story" characters to the screen 20 years ago, is a dream come true." He adds, "When I first saw Toy Story I was amazed by the ground breaking computer-generated animation. But it was the strong storytelling that kept me coming back. "Toy Story 4" will continue that tradition and I could not be more excited to be a part of it!"

Cooley began his journey in Pixar as an intern in the story department of "Cars". He has been a prolific contributor to LA's Gallery 1988. He also launched his children's book parody "Movies R Fun" which amusingly re-told memorable violent scenes from blockbuster movies in the style of Golden Books.

Meanwhile, Lasseter has brought on actress-turned-scriptwriter Rashida Jones and Will McCormack to write the full screenplay of "Toy Story 4". Jones and McCormack previously wrote Celeste and Jesse Forever, a funny romantic drama which featured two best friends, Celeste and Jesse, who stayed incredibly close even after their divorce. Rashida Jones has starred in "Parks and Recreation" and "The Office."

"They have such a great sense of character and originality," Lasseter tells the LATimes. Galyn Susman, who has been producing "Toy Story" shorts for Pixar, will produce the fourth film.

Lasseter, alongside Lee Unkrich, the director of "Toy Story 3", Pete Docter, the director of "Up", and Andrew Stanton, the director of "Finding Nemo", are working on the story for the fourth instalment of the Disney-Pixar animation. The four directors have previously worked with "Toy Story" films.

"Toy Story 4" will reportedly bring back Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.

It is scheduled to open in the UK on July 14, 2017 and the US two days later.