The Grand Deception: How Disney Kept Taylor Swift's 'Toy Story 5' Song a Secret from Everyone
In a move worthy of a blockbuster plot twist, Disney and Pixar successfully orchestrated a massive secret around Taylor Swift's involvement in Toy Story 5, even going as far as creating a 'decoy version' of the film. This article delves...
The world of animation, much like pop music, thrives on grand reveals and unexpected collaborations. Yet, few secrets in Hollywood have been guarded with the meticulousness seen in Disney and Pixar's approach to Taylor Swift's contribution to Toy Story 5.
It wasn't just the public kept in the dark; even many of the film's own cast and crew were unaware of the superstar's involvement until the very last moment. The studio went to extraordinary lengths, crafting a complete "decoy version" of the movie to prevent leaks.
Yesterday (June 5), the veil was finally lifted as Swift unveiled 'I Knew It, I Knew You'. This track, co-written and produced with long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff, is a poignant return to Swift's country roots, penned from the perspective of the beloved cowgirl Jessie.
While Toy Story 5 is set for release on June 19, Swift's role was only officially confirmed days ago, despite the film being years in the making. Speculation among Swifties had been rampant, fueled by Swift herself with a cryptic website countdown in May.
Thomas Jordan, a VFX supervisor on Toy Story 5, shed light on the elaborate deception during a panel at SXSW London. He revealed that only "a very small group" within the production knew about 'I Knew It, I Knew You'.
"The crew that made Toy Story 5 did not know about this secret until last week," Jordan stated, explaining that a "decoy version" was used for early previews and staff screenings. This level of operational security is almost unheard of in modern film production.
Jordan further revealed the organic origins of the collaboration: "Turns out, Taylor Swift is a huge Toy Story fan like many of us. She actually saw an early version of the film, she requested to see it before it was finished and she wrote the song and then asked us if we wanted it. And we said, ‘Uh, yes! Yes we do.’ That was in February, so we’ve had to keep it a secret ever since then."
Upon the song's announcement, Swift shared her personal connection to the franchise: "I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a five year old kid watching the first Toy Story movie. I fell instantly in love with Toy Story 5 when I was lucky enough to see it in its early stages, and I wrote this song as soon as I got home from the screening. Sometimes you just know, right?"
She accompanied her announcement with a nostalgic video of herself as a child dressed as Jessie, emphasizing the full-circle moment. "Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time," she noted. "Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once. And being a @toystory kid from the age of five til now… is an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond."
The upcoming film will see Jessie stepping into a leadership role in Bonnie's room, with Buzz Lightyear as her second-in-command, following Woody's departure with Bo Peep. The plot thickens as Bonnie becomes enchanted with a new toy, a frog-like tablet named Lilypad.
Swift isn't the only music superstar lending their talents to Toy Story 5. Global sensation Bad Bunny is also set to voice a character: a talking pizza slice named 'Pizza With Sunglasses', described as a forgotten toy residing in an abandoned backyard shed.
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