Animated film pioneer and original "Toy Story" creator John Lasseter is returning to make "Toy Story 4," Disney announced Thursday.
Lasseter, who made "Toy Story" with Pixar Animation Studios in 1995 and also directed "Toy Story 2" in 1999, will present a new chapter in the story of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the "Toy Story" gang.
"We love these characters so much, they are like family to us," said Lasseter.
"We don't want to do anything with them unless it lives up to or surpasses what's gone before."
The screenplay is written by Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter and Lee Unkrich, the storytellers who have been the driving force behind the previous "Toy Story" films.
"Toy Story 3," which won the best animated film Oscar in 2011, was directed by Unkrich, who also served as a co-director on "Toy Story 2."
Disney bought Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion.