Toy Story 5 Animator Donald Brooks on Joining Pixar's Most Beloved Franchise

By Nikki Coleman | WeAreCritiX.com

For nearly 30 years, Disney and Pixar's Toy Story franchise has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. Generations have grown up alongside Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Rex, Hamm, and the rest of Andy's — and now Bonnie's — beloved toys. As Toy Story 5 prepares to arrive in theaters, fans are eager to see where the next chapter of this iconic story will take them.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Pixar animator Donald Brooks, one of the talented artists helping bring Toy Story 5 to life. During our conversation, Brooks spoke about his personal connection to the franchise, what audiences can expect from the new film, and the inspiring journey that led him from being a fan of Pixar movies to helping create one himself.

For Brooks, working on Toy Story 5 is much more than just another animation credit. It's the culmination of a lifelong dream.

Growing up, he was immersed in the world of Toy Story. Like so many fans, he followed Woody, Buzz, and the gang through every adventure, watched the shorts, played the games, and connected with the characters in a way that left a lasting impression on him. Today, he finds himself helping shape the next chapter of that same story.

"It's been an amazing time," Brooks shared. "Growing up with these characters and then getting the opportunity to work with them and work with the directors and the team at Pixar has been an awesome adventure."

His path to Pixar is a story that feels surprisingly fitting for a studio known for stories about determination, growth, and believing in yourself. Brooks began his Pixar journey as an intern, where he had the opportunity to animate some of the very characters he grew up watching. Years later, he's now helping bring one of Pixar's most anticipated films to audiences worldwide.

A New Adventure for Old Friends

While Disney and Pixar are understandably keeping many details about Toy Story 5 under wraps, Brooks did tease that audiences can expect plenty of excitement when the film arrives.

According to him, the new installment delivers "high-impact adventure," new experiences, and a few surprises along the way.

For longtime fans, that's welcome news. One of the reasons the Toy Story franchise has remained relevant for so long is its ability to evolve alongside its audience. Each film has found a way to introduce fresh ideas while remaining true to the heart and spirit that made people fall in love with these characters in the first place.

Brooks believes Toy Story 5 continues that tradition.

Rather than simply revisiting familiar territory, the film explores how these beloved characters continue to grow while also introducing new personalities into the mix. The result, he says, is a story that offers something for both longtime fans and newcomers discovering the franchise for the first time.

"The progression of the characters is something we always talk about in storytelling," Brooks explained. "I think there's something for everyone in this movie."

WATCH OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH DONALD BROOKS

https://youtu.be/boGW20V8tNk

Finding Yourself in the Toys

One of the more fun moments during our conversation came when we discussed which Toy Story characters we relate to most.

For Brooks, the answer was easy.

Woody.

He admires the cowboy's loyalty, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the people he cares about. It's a quality that has defined Woody throughout the franchise and remains one of the reasons audiences continue connecting with the character decades later.

At the same time, Brooks couldn't help but show some love to fan-favorites like Rex, whose anxious but lovable personality has provided countless laughs over the years.

What stood out most, however, was his appreciation for the entire ensemble. Much like the toys themselves, the strength of Toy Story has always been rooted in community. No single character carries the franchise alone. It's the relationships between them that make the stories resonate.

That same sense of collaboration is reflected behind the scenes at Pixar, where hundreds of artists work together to create the magic audiences see on screen.

Anything Is Possible

Perhaps the most inspiring part of our conversation came when Brooks reflected on what he would say to aspiring animators who dream of one day working for a studio like Pixar.

It's easy to view Pixar as something larger than life. After all, this is the studio responsible for some of the most beloved animated films ever made. For many young artists, working there can feel like an impossible goal.

Brooks sees it differently.

"Anything is possible," he said. "It starts with saying, 'What if?' It starts with saying, 'I can do this.'"

That mindset helped shape his own journey. He recalled how his passion for animation truly took hold during high school and how a simple belief in his own potential eventually led him toward a career he once only dreamed about.

His message was clear: talent matters, but belief, effort, and persistence matter too.

No one starts at the finish line.

Every animator, artist, storyteller, and filmmaker begins somewhere.

For Brooks, that somewhere was sitting in a theater watching Pixar movies and imagining what it would be like to create worlds like those himself.

Today, he's doing exactly that.

Final Thoughts

What makes Pixar special has never simply been the technology or animation. It's the people behind the stories. Artists like Donald Brooks represent the next generation of creators carrying forward the studio's legacy while inspiring future generations to dream big themselves.

If our conversation was any indication, Toy Story 5 is shaping up to be another heartfelt adventure filled with laughter, surprises, and the kind of emotional storytelling that has defined the franchise for nearly three decades.

For fans who have grown up with Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang, there's plenty to look forward to. And for young dreamers hoping to one day create stories of their own, Donald Brooks' journey serves as a reminder that sometimes the most incredible adventures begin with a simple question: What if?

You can watch our full review of Toy Story 5 Here.

Toy Story 5 arrives exclusively in theaters on June 19.