‘Toy Story 2’ Will Open On Big Screen

The toys are back. Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios have decided to give a big-screen release to “Toy Story 2,” the sequel to their 1995 computer-animated blockbuster.

The plan calls for “Toy Story 2,” which originally was slated as a made-for-video picture, to open in theaters in December 1999.

The sequel, which reunites all the voice talents from the original film, including Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, has been under way since September 1996.

Putting out a sequel to one of its animated hits represents a major change in philosophy for Disney.

When animation was under the aegis of former studio chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, the thinking was that animation sequels took away from the value of the original work.

Now, “we look at sequels in animation like sequels in live action,” said Steve Jobs, chief executive officer of Pixar. “If you’ve created an audience that wants to see more of these wonderful characters and you meet the quality requirements of putting on a great film, why not?