'Toy Story 4' alternate ending would have completely changed Bo Peep's story

Toy Story 4 managed a task that many thought impossible, providing audiences with a satisfying follow-up to one of the most beloved trilogies in history.

But its final scenes almost turned out very differently.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

In an alternate ending, which will appear on the upcoming home entertainment release of the Pixar film, the conclusion of Woody and Bo Peep’s central story goes in the opposite direction to the finished movie.

The version of the story that was shown in cinemas concludes with Woody choosing to stay with Bo Peep and live without belonging to a child, saying an emotional goodbye to his friends and passing his Sheriff badge to Jessie.

However, in the alternate ending released via EW, Bo Peep chooses to dedicate her life to “the girl from the toy store”.

“I feel a connection again, Woody — like I’m supposed to be her toy,” she says, before the two characters embrace.

It’s an ending that would have completely changed the complexion of Bo Peep’s character, who is defined in the finished film by her independence and embrace of a life without unconditional devotion to a single child.

Read more: Pixar easter eggs in Toy Story 4

Director Josh Cooley, introducing the scene, says: “Finding the ending of a movie is extremely hard — especially with a Toy Story film where you want it to be really impactful and emotional.”

He adds: “In this ending, Bo saw this child that she connected with and she realised: 'oh, I actually would like to be with a kid again'.

“Woody realised in that moment that 'I'm going to have to let Bo go', so it's much more bittersweet in terms of their relationship.”

Toy Story 4 was a runaway success at the box office, earning a mammoth global title of $1.05bn (£840m) — becoming Disney’s fifth billion-dollar movie of 2019 so far.

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As well as achieving financial success with audiences, the movie was a hit with critics and has a 97% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The site’s ‘critical consensus’ reads: “Heartwarming, funny, and beautifully animated, Toy Story 4 manages the unlikely feat of extending — and perhaps concluding — a practically perfect animated saga.“

Toy Story 4 will be available on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK from 21 October.