Despite finishing off the trilogy with an Academy Award nomination for ‘Best Picture’ and a movie universally loved by fans and critics alike, Toy Story 4 is on its way, heralding the arrival of a new classic in the Pixar canon or a milking-ready cash cow.

Those concerned that Disney is looking to cash in on the franchise can at least rest assured in the face that Rashida Jones and Will McCormack are writing the script, while long-time Pixar director Johm Lasseter will be joined on directing duties by Josh Cooley. His recent efforts with Inside Out have been an out and out hit, seen as a big return to form by the animation studio.

And now, the plot details are finally emerging...

via GIPHY

Speaking at the recent D23 animation presentation, where Disney outlined its forthcoming schedule of feature relases, Lasseter laid out the plans for the new sequel: "We have the old characters back and some great new characters we'll tell you about in the future," said Lasseter.

"What we did not realise while we were making the films is that each of the movies is a different genre. And in Toy Story 4, it's a genre we've never done in that world, a love story,” Lasseter added.

"It's a love story between Woody and Bo Peep. Bo returns for Toy Story 4, as Woody and Buzz Lightyear head out into the world to find her. It's very special and a very personal story for me, because it's inspired by my wife, Nancy."

Toy Story 4 will be released on July 14th, 2017.