In Toy Story 5, Jessie’s history nearly resurfaced in a poignant way.
The narrative of the fifth film in the series placed a significant focus on Jessie, a character whose backstory is marked by feelings of abandonment. Unlike previous installments which centered around Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen), this film turned its attention to Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack. The plot delves into Jessie’s emotional struggles as she grapples with the memories of Emily, her original owner, and the fear of potentially facing the same fate with her new owner, Bonnie.
Exploring Jessie’s Past
Jessie spends most of the film revisiting places from her past and wrestling with the idea that Emily’s abandonment might mean she is forgotten. A deleted scene, which was detailed by Entertainment Weekly, would have dramatically brought this theme to the forefront by reuniting Jessie with an adult Emily, now a grandmother. In the storyboard animatic, Jessie, along with Bullseye and an army of Buzz Lightyear toys, stumbles upon Emily playing with her grandchild. Initially reluctant, Jessie is propelled into the reunion when Bullseye activates her drawstring, prompting Emily to recognize her and reminisce about their old times together.
In this same behind-the-scenes look, co-director and co-writer McKenna Harris expressed her intention for the ending of Toy Story 5 to provide “satisfying catharsis” for Jessie, emphasizing that she “deserves closure on her past” and needs to learn to “love herself and not see herself as broken.”
Why the Scene Was Cut
Despite recognizing the scene as a “great instinct,” Harris ultimately decided it did not align perfectly with what they wanted to convey about Jessie in the movie. Instead, the film subtly addresses Jessie’s past, focusing on her journey to come to terms with the emotional scars left by her separation from Emily and overcoming her self-view as damaged.
Reflecting on the decision, Harris mentioned, “This turned out to be not quite the way to express that for the movie, but it’s sort of like Goodbye Charlie, we knew that we had a goal as far as how sentimental, how soft we wanted to be for this moment.”
As the story unfolds, Jessie and Bullseye distance themselves from Bonnie and end up at Emily’s old home. There, Jessie finds a message and a collection of keepsakes that reveal Emily named her own daughter after the beloved toy, providing a touching resolution to Jessie’s storyline.
Deeper Intentions
The filmmakers emphasized that Jessie’s expanded role was a deliberate choice, intended to explore her backstory while also addressing broader themes of how modern technology competes for children’s attention. This is paralleled in Jessie’s fears about Bonnie, who becomes engrossed with a new tablet named Lilypad, heightening Jessie’s anxieties about being neglected again.
Directors Harris and Andrew Stanton viewed the deleted scene as a correct instinct but needed a different route to achieve the emotional impact they desired. Stanton explained that while they had identified a “worthy goal” with the reunion, they had to seek an alternative method to deliver it effectively.
Ultimately, this alternative approach led to one of Toy Story 5’s most profound revelations, enriching Jessie’s character arc and resonating deeply with the audience.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
