Toy Story Fangirl

Although we’ve known for quite some time that Bo would be starring in Toy Story 4, the only images we’ve seen have been from leaked promotional material and merchandise.  Finally, today, Pixar officially revealed Bo Peep’s updated appearance, as well as some insight into her role in the movie!

The new image was shared across social media platforms this morning, and matches the style of the previous posters featuring Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Ducky and Bunny, and Forky.  Here’s a full look:

Now we have an answer about her cape, which had only been seen before in the ToyBox figure silhouette.  Many had speculated it could be her skirt (myself included), and now we have confirmation that it is!  If you look at the side that’s against her body, you can see the polka dots, and the bottom is edged in lace.  Was the purple underneath there all along, or did she add that layer to make it more serviceable?  It’s fastened with a small flower button, which we can assume she sewed on herself.

There’s more than just the image, though.  Both director Josh Cooley, and Bo’s voice actor, Annie Potts, have given us some clues about Bo’s backstory and story arc in the film, in a statement that Pixar released with the poster:

Bo Peep is back!  This long-lost friend of Woody, Buzz, and the gang always shared a special connection with Woody, but they have not seen each other in years, and Bo has become chipped and faded over time.  Bo’s strength and sarcasm always belied her delicate porcelain exterior, and it turns out she’s an adventure-seeking free spirit who feels right at home on the road.  When she and Woody are reunited under unlikely circumstances, they realize they’ve grown worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy.

“Bo’s taken control of her own destiny,” said Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley.  “While Woody was watching Andy grow up, Bo gathered dust until she took it upon herself to head out into the world.  And when Woody shows up, they can’t believe that they’ve found each other again.”

Annie Potts returns as the voice of Bo Peep.  “She is modern, independent, capable and confident,” said Potts of her character.  “Bo is written and conceived to be inspiring as she has weathered life’s ups and downs with grace.  I aspire to that.”

So it sounds like Bo has set out on her own – if she left Andy’s on her own accord, that would explain why Woody never went after her.  It’s also possible she left a later owner’s home.  The thought of her willingly leaving Andy’s – especially leaving Woody – is an intriguing one.  The other toys would have felt a slight security in at least having a place in the attic, to maybe be passed down to Andy’s kids someday.  But as Molly’s lamp, she wouldn’t have shared that security – and Molly grew up fast.

Also, if Bo is comfortable on the road, what does that mean in regards to her potentially-rekindled relationship with Woody?  Will he show her what it’s like to truly belong to a kid, as a toy – an imaginative kid like Bonnie, who would adore Bo – or will he end up leaving the others to join her in her travels?  The possibility of Woody choosing Bo over his friends has been widely discussed, and would fit Tim Allen’s “Scarlett, I don’t give a damn” ending.  Only time will tell.

The entertainment website Collider furthers this information, with a new fleshed-out official synopsis of the film:

Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.

And as all the posts about Bo’s presence in Toy Story 4 have been circulating on social media, Josh Cooley had this to say about working with Annie Potts:

In addition to the poster and new plot details, Pixar also gave us a video of Bo in action – our very first look at her animated in her new style.  Although Pixar hasn’t shared it on their YouTube channel yet, Pixar Post has:

… and here it is, also on Twitter:

I really like Bo’s new look and personality – I can’t wait to see more of her, and find out where she’s been and what her adventure will be with the rest of the gang.  With the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday, there’s a very good chance that this is leading up to the trailer being shown and the movie being promoted during the game.  Stay tuned… things are getting exciting!

Image and video © Disney/Pixar.