For nearly three decades, Pixar fans have debated a central question about Woody and Buzz, and Toy Story 4 finally responded. When Toy Story Premiered in 1995, it became a revolutionary film for animation and storytelling. At its core was the dynamic between Woody, the old-fashioned cowboy voiced by Tom Hanks, and Buzz Lightyear, the flashy new space ranger voiced by Tim Allen. The film pitted the two against each other in a compelling story of jealousy, friendship and self-discovery.
While the Toy Story The franchise has always been a collaborative effort featuring a wide range of lovable characters throughout its first three films, Woody and Buzz were the protagonists. The focus always changed between those two fish-out-of-water rivals who became friends, giving each of them almost equal weight in the Toy Story narrative.
In Toy Story 1, 2 and 3, it is unclear whether Woody or Buzz is the true main character
It mostly depends on your personal perspective
While Woody is undeniably central to the first film's arc - navigating his role as Andy's favorite toy and accepting Buzz's arrival - Buzz also dominates much of the conflict. His growth, from believing he is a true space ranger to understanding his role as a toy, is equally significant.
This balance continued in Toy Story 2where Woody faced temptation to stay with the Roundup Gang, while Buzz led the mission to rescue him. Both characters played essential roles, each complementing the other as the film progresses. Even in Toy Story 3While Woody led the toys to safety, Buzz still had strong moments, such as his comedic turn as Spanish Buzz, maintaining his presence as a co-protagonist.
This duality worked because Woody and Buzz represent two halves of the heart of Toy Story. Woody brings sentimentality, loyalty and leadership, while Buzz symbolizes imagination, innovation and adventure. Fans of the franchise naturally gravitate towards one or the other, keeping the debate alive about who really carried the series.
Toy Story 4 clearly made Woody Buzz Lightyear's main protagonist
A great film – but Buzz definitely deserved better
When Toy Story 4 arrived in 2019, the franchise underwent a deliberate shift, decisively making Woody the central focus. Although Buzz still played a role, his character was relegated to supporting status, and the narrative revolved directly around Woody's existential crisis. The film follows Woody trying to find a new purpose now that Bonny, his new owner, doesn't share the same attachment to him that Andy did. His chance encounter with Bo Peep reignites questions about his duty as a toy and what it means to live a full life.
The decision to leave Buzz aside to focus more on Woody marked a fundamental narrative shift for the Toy Story franchise. Buzz's contributions to Toy Story 4 they were largely secondary and comical. While there were certainly fun moments, like his reliance on his “inner voice” (a play on pushing his own buttons for advice), they lacked the emotional depth the character showed in the previous films. Fans who loved Buzz Lightyear's heroism and gravitas in the previous films couldn't help but feel a little let down by his reduced role.
On the other hand, Woody's arc came to a satisfying, if divisive, conclusion. Making his way at the end of the film by choosing to stay with Bo Peep and live life alone, Woody's goodbye felt like the natural culmination of his story. This left the public bittersweet, but also raised questions about whether a Toy Story the film could actually succeed with just one of its iconic protagonists driving the story.
Unfortunately, Toy Story 4 didn't fully leverage Buzz's potential. It felt like he was relegated to the background to increase Woody's spotlight. A character with the depth, history and popularity of Buzz Lightyear deserves more than just comic relief - it's time for Pixar to guarantee both Toy Story characters shine.
Toy Story 5 should return to Woody and Buzz as co-leads
The heart of Toy Story is in Woody and Buzz Together
As Pixar moves forward with Toy Story 5restoring the balance between Woody and Buzz is essential. The franchise has thrived on the chemistry and dual arcs of these two beloved characters, and putting them back on equal footing will likely provide the most satisfying narrative for fans.
A return to Woody and Buzz's co-lead could also allow the franchise to explore new dynamics. For example, Woody's decision to leave the toys Toy Story 4 creates an excellent opportunity to show his and Buzz's friendship evolving in new and unexpected ways. Maintaining their close bond despite them being worlds apart or a complete reunion between Woody and Buzz could easily be the heart of the next film. There is a lot of rich material to extract that would captivate the audience.
By restoring Woody and Buzz as co-leaders Pixar can recapture the magic that made audiences fall in love Toy Story in the first place. After all, there is no Buzz without Woody, and there is no Woody without Buzz - and together, they are what they do Toy Story Universally loved.