Source:Variety

February 8, 2007

Toy Story 3 is coming in 2009, but John Lasseter won't be the director, reports Variety.

Lasseter and Disney Animation president Ed Catmull provided extensive details on their upcoming slate at the Mouse House's investor conference Thursday.

In addition to confirming for the first time that a third "Toy Story" is in the works, most likely for 2009 release, Lasseter said Lee Unkrich will helm it with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen returning as the voices of Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Unkrich co-directed Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo but has never before been sole helmer on a Pixar film.

Lasseter directed the first two "Toy Story" films.

Michael Arndt, Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine, is writing the script.

Lasseter said, "The greatest thing about the merger of the two companies is that the creators of 'Toy Story' 1 and 2 can make 3 with the story that we wanted."

Lasseter also announced that Chris Williams, a veteran story artist at Disney, is now directing 2008 release American Dog. The film was developed and previously under the control of Lilo & Stitch helmer Chris Sanders, who recently left Disney.

Catmull denied speculation that Walt Disney Feature Animation may become a 2-D-only studio, with Pixar handling CGI, though he did confirm the Mouse will bring back hand-drawn pics.