Which Pixar leader confirmed Woody's return for Toy Story 5 in June 2023?

Pete Docter confirmed Woody’s return for Toy Story 5 in June 2023. Docter was Pixar’s chief creative officer when he made the announcement, making him the relevant Pixar leader rather than one of the film’s later directors or producers.

The confirmation was significant because Toy Story 4 had presented Woody’s departure from Bonnie’s toys and his reunion with Bo Peep as a major emotional farewell. Docter’s statement established that Woody would remain part of the franchise, even though the fifth film would introduce new story tensions around children’s growing use of electronic devices.

A common mix-up is Andrew Stanton, who was later named Toy Story 5’s director and writer, with Kenna Harris serving as co-director. Jim Morris is a major Pixar producer, while Ed Catmull is Pixar’s former president, but neither was the executive identified with the June 2023 Woody announcement. Tom Hanks’s return as Woody was confirmed separately, after Docter had confirmed that the character would return.