SPOILERS for Toy Story 4 ahead.
the original script being tossed out).
In the end, though, Pixar managed to deliver the goods yet again, as Toy Story 4 ended up grossing over $1 billion worldwide (nearly matching Toy Story 3's global take). More importantly, the film received largely positive reviews, with many critics agreeing that it provided an unexpected, yet altogether necessary conclusion to Woody's journey that was thematically stronger than the ending provided by Toy Story 3. However, it turns out the movie originally wrapped up on a far different (and, frankly, less satisfying) note.
Among the bonus features that will be included on Toy Story 4's home-entertainment release is a video that reveals the film's alternate ending in storyboard form, following an introduction by Cooley. In this version, Woody and Bo Peep didn't end up together; rather, Bo decided to give up her owner-less life after realizing that "the kid from the store" (presumably, the character Harmony) is the one for her. Woody responds by giving her one final hug and saying farewell, presumably before returning to his life with the other toys and their new owner Bonnie. The video isn't available in embeddable form yet, but you can check it out over at EW.
Clearly, a lot changed between Toy Story 4's alternate ending being storyboarded and the final film. Woody's inability to cope with change, as he struggles to accept that he's simply never going to have a relationship with Bonnie like the one he had with Andy. When he ultimately reunites with Bo and is presented with the chance to lead a new life with her as an ownerless toy, Woody (with a little push from his old pal Buzz Lightyear) finally realizes that it's time for him to move on and Bo.
In doing so, Toy Story 4 itself finally answers a question that was first raised all the way back in Toy Story 2 ("How do we handle change?") and "fixes" Toy Story 3's false ending to Woody's story. Of course, that wouldn't have been the case had Toy Story 4 concluded with Bo deciding that life with just one kid was the right path for her after all, and Woody leaving her behind to return to being Bonnie's toy. Cooley and his team clearly recognized that at some point during the film's development, thankfully, and went with the more appropriate ending featured in Toy Story 4 proper. All the same, theses sorts of behind the scenes glimpses into the making of a movie (especially an animated Pixar feature) are always fascinating in their own right.
Toy Story 4 becomes available On Digital starting Tuesday, October 1, followed by its Blu-ray release a week later on October 8.
Source: EW
