The other day I was in the cinema for my 4th viewing of Toy Story 5. Yes, no need to ask, I am a huge fan of the Toy Story films. I was the right age, after all, being 5 when the first one was released. They are indeed very special films.
With the story that the franchise has taken with its storytelling themes, growing up and letting go, I’ve been at the perfect point in my life when each film was released.
Now, when seated in the cinema, I picked up on a subtle reference to Star Wars once again in Toy Story 5 and it did make it grin. When you stop and think about it, the series is littered with Star Wars references from the start. George Lucas was, after all, a founder in the technology that would eventually become Pixar before selling to Steve Jobs.
Let’s dive in…
Toy Story (1995)
Darth Vader’s Breathing
When Buzz Lightyear is first introduced in the film, we see Andy’s bedroom from his perspective inside his helmet. As we do, his breathing is essentially a carbon copy of Darth Vader’s.
The Ultimate Weapon
When the toys first meet Buzz, he’s in complete fantasyland about being a real space ranger. Whilst Woody and the gang talk to their new friend, Buzz is having none of it that he’s in a child’s bedroom. During of his moments of delusion, Buzz informs Woody that the ‘evil Emperor Zurg’ has created a weapon that can destroy entire planets. Sound familiar?
Sid and Tarkin
During the film’s final act, Sid, the kid next door who really doesn’t know how to play with toys, is doing his whole torture thing in his back garden. At one point, he asks Woody – “Where are your rebel friends now?” and mimics that of Grand Moff Tarkin when he’s interrogating Leia on the Death Star.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
This film is littered with Star Wars references. There are so, so many. Honestly, it’s insane. I urge you to go back and have a look. We’ll keep it to the main ones here.
Parenthood
The most famous one of call comes when Zurg, who is clearly based off of Vader in design, is in the midst of the climatic battle with ‘Utility Belt Buzz’ on top of the elevator. Buzz has accused Zurg of murdering his father before Zurg promptly replies that HE IS Buzz’s father. They even include a ‘noooooooooo’ from Buzz that mimics Luke’s from Episode V.
The Weapon of Jedi
The opening sequence of the film takes place inside a video game that it turns out Rex is playing. We’re on a mission with Buzz Lightyear and Star Wars is everywhere. At one point, whilst on a mysterious new planet, Buzz waves his hand through a hologram. Listen closely and the sound effect is none other than that of a lightsaber.
Jabba’s Palace Droid Cameo
Also, during the opening sequence of the film, the Perimeter Droid that pops out of the huge wall to greet C-3PO before entering Jabba’s Palace makes an appearance. When, in Toy Story 2, Buzz blasts the droid, the sound of Tie-Fighter screeching by can be heard.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
During the climatic setting, but before the heart wrenching scene where our toys might get incinerated to death, Lotso has long been revealed to be the villain of the film. One of his henchmen, Big Baby, has a change of heart, however, and picks up Lotso before throwing him down a garbage waste shoot. The way Big Baby does this is played in exactly the same staging that Darth Vader did to The Emperor in Episode VI.
Toy Story 4 (2019)
In the antique store where Woody is trying to rescue Forky, Bo Peep takes our cowboy to a hang out of sorts where all the toys party away from prying eyes. There’s a whole array of toys in there, lots of references and in-jokes, and – look closely – and you’ll see a vintage Ben Kenobi and Walrus Man recreating the moment when Ben slices off his arm in the cantina.
Toy Story 5 (2026)
Mild spoilers to follow if you haven’t seen the new film but towards the end, our Buzz Lightyear is on steadfast mission to help Jessie. The 50 High-Tech Buzz toys, who are the film’s comedic highpoint, are unsure as to what’s going on. As Buzz tells them that they are toys, their mission on this planet is to make a child happy, and now Jessie needs their help, he tells them all to ‘search your feelings Buzz’s, you know it to be true.’
