Toy Story 5, Joan Cusack and Greta Gerwig interview

Why is Toy Story 5 the perfect film for families to see together in theaters this summer?

Greta Gerwig: Toy Story 5 is the perfect film to see this summer for so many reasons. Um it touches on so many important themes like female friendship, just friendship at all, connection, human connection. This big debate of tech versus toys, the importance of playtime, I mean I could go on, like the importance of imaginative play. Um yeah and it's just a really good time. It's such a good movie.

Joan Cusack: It is. And I think the tech versus toys piece will really resonate with the whole family.

Greta Gerwig: Yeah. I agree.

Joan, Toy Story 5 has such a beautiful connection to Jessie. This film is really her story. What was the experience like getting back into character and continuing her arc?

Joan Cusack: Um I love getting back into the story of Jessie because, you know, she clearly felt abandoned and was traumatized by that and they told her story and I was grateful they told a girl's story and I was grateful they they allowed her to grow from that feeling of abandonment and um, you know, they did a beautiful job and it could have been Hallmarky and sentimental and it's not, it's it's really deep and beautiful.

Greta Gerwig: I just have to add that I'm so glad that it's finally Jessie's story. I mean we love the guys, we love you Tom and Tim, but come on, move aside, move aside for just a moment, come on! Finally Jessie!

Joan Cusack: Yeah!

Greta, how meaningful is it to you to be a part of the Toy Story legacy and what do you think audiences can learn from Lilypad?

Greta Gerwig: Ooh! I know how special Toy Story has been for me and for my whole family. I was 12 when the first one came out, so I grew up with it and now I get to share it with my own kids, which is just totally bananas. Um it's so cool! It's so rare to have something like this that can just go on and on and on. So much time has passed and I'm just like totally overjoyed and this is a dream come true. I'm sitting next to Joan Cusack!

Greta Gerwig: Girl! Amazing! I've loved her for so long and now we're best friends.

Joan Cusack: We are.

Greta Gerwig: What more could I want? It's great. It's heaven.

I'm going to ask one more question. Um are there any moments from the film that you think will play especially well for viewers once they're able to watch at home?

Joan Cusack: Oh, at home?

Greta Gerwig: Like as opposed to the theater?

Joan Cusack: Don't watch it at home! You should watch it at the theater, it's so beautiful and it's such an event because it's animated and seeing it big is just it's special and powerful and why not? You know?

Greta Gerwig: Well, if you watch it, watch it in the theater first.

Joan Cusack: Yes.

Greta Gerwig: And then you can go home and rewatch it.

Joan Cusack: Yes.

Greta Gerwig: And maybe when you rewatch it at home you can be reminded of all the incredible things in the movie and and just like have that access to like, okay, I'm home now, am I going to have my nose buried buried in a screen all day? Probably not. Or I hope not.