April 3, 2010 - A fun panel for Toy Story 3 today at WonderCon had director Lee Unkrich on hand, joined by returning voice actor John Ratzenberger (“Hamm”) and new cast members Kristen Schaal (“Trixie the Triceratops”) and Jeff Garlin (“Buttercup”).
[spoil]Unkrich brought an audience member on stage (along with Schaal and Garlin) to perform a scene from the film, with the audience member filling in for Timothy Dalton, who plays another new character, Mr. Pricklepants. We were then shown the scene in its final form, in which a little girl has gotten a hold of Woody and brings him over to her toys. When she leaves the room, the toys introduce themselves, except for Mr. Pricklepants, who keeps shushing Woody, trying to stop him from talking. The scene in general was great, but Schaal especially was funny as Trixie, who tells Woody that in the scenario the little girl is playing, “We’re either in a Cafe in Paris or a coffee shop in New Jersey,” but that either way, “I’m pretty sure I just came back from the doctor with life-changing news.” In an amusing line for Garlin, who of course is on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Buttercup tells Woody that they do a lot of improv in this house.
Another scene was shown at the end of the panel, in which Woody, Buzz and all the familiar characters are brought in a box into their new home at a daycare center. Everyone is excited except for Woody, who is clearly upset to not be with Andy any longer.
When the kids leave the room for recess, Rex pushes the box the toys are in forward until it falls onto the ground, freeing them – where they see a huge collection of other toys waiting to greet them. Everyone is incredibly friendly and we see Mrs. Potato Head ask a muscular, alien-headed toys, “May I?” before grabbing his arm and letting out an impressive “oooh,” as Mr. Potato head tries to flex, only for his white plastic arm to droop down.
A huge laugh was had at the introduction of Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton), who takes the elevator down the side of a large doll house and comes out looking incredibly flamboyant, wearing small shorts, a shirt opened up to show off his chest and an ascot. Ken stops in his tracks when he sees Barbie, and the song “Dreamweaver” plays, as they stare at each other and slowly walk toward each other, with Barbie saying she oddly feels like they’ve met before. Says Ken, “Nice legwarmers!”, to which Barbie replies, “Nice ascot!”
Everyone then makes way for the clear leader of the Daycare group, Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear (Ned Beatty), who looks just as colorful (he’s a pinkish color) and huggable as you’d expect. When Buzz attempts a typically formal greeting (“I’m Buzz Lightyear and we come in peace!”) he is cut off by Lots-O’ grabbing him and putting him in a literal bear hug.
Lots-O’ talks about what a great place the Daycare center is for toys, saying they have kids to play with them five days a week. When Jessie asks what happens when the kids get older, Lots-O’ says that’s the beauty of the place – there are always new kids who will be there for the toys.
The toys all follow Lots’-O, but in the back is Woody, looking unhappy.[/spoil]
that’s so awesome!!