How did Jessie fan Kenna Harris reshape ‘Toy Story 5’ for Bonnie?

Variety reports that Kenna Harris, co-director and co-writer of Toy Story 5, grew up sketching Jessie from Toy Story 2 and daydreaming about the character’s adventures.

Andrew Stanton invited Harris to co-direct the sequel in late 2022 after her work on Luca, Ciao Alberto, and Inside Out 2. She and Stanton share screenplay credit.

Early in production the filmmakers paused for two weeks to rewrite the opening act. The new direction centers on Bonnie’s loneliness and her need for a real friend instead of a competition for playtime.

Harris argued for keeping Jessie at the emotional core, linking the cowgirl’s arc to her past with Emily, even as some colleagues questioned whether audiences would favor Woody or Buzz.