‘Toy Story’ Video Sequel Discussed

In the wake of the enormous box office success of “Toy Story,” Pixar Animation Studios has announced it is in talks with Disney to develop a direct-to-video sequel to the film.

No details were available on the project, and representatives for Disney and Pixar were unable to say whether a screenplay exists or what title the project would bear. However, Pixar, in a news release about the success of “Toy Story,” confirmed the project is being discussed.

The sequel makes perfect economic sense. Disney has already generated substantial profits from its previous direct-to-video venture “The Return of Jafar” (the sequel to “Aladdin”) that was released in 1994 and sold more than 10 million copies.

A spokeswoman for Buena Vista Home Video said the company is at work on a second sequel to “Aladdin,” again starring Robin Williams, and just finished a new installment in the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” series titled “Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.”

Other projects in development that have already been announced include the first feature-length “Winnie the Pooh” for a direct-to-video release in 1997 and another direct-to-video sequel to “Darkman.”

“Toy Story” has been the biggest hit of the Christmas season, generating $150 million in its first 39 days at the box office. The film’s success also helped turn the creator of its computerized effects, Pixar, into a Wall Street sensation.

The company has already indicated it has a contract to use its technology to create three movies for Disney.