Inside Pixar archives ahead of 'Toy Story 5'

EMERYVILLE, Calif. -- The anticipation for the release of "Toy Story 5" has been palpable, and the history behind one of animation's most beloved franchises is being preserved and revisited at Pixar Animation Studios.

At the company's Emeryville campus, archivist Christine Freeman offered a rare look inside Pixar's archives, where early concepts, artwork and prototypes trace the evolution of the iconic films.

"This is so special - how often do people get a chance to come in here, and walk around and learn and absorb? Rarely.... so this is exclusive to us? You are very special," Freeman said.

The archive houses a wide range of materials documenting the development of "Toy Story," including early sketches that reveal how different the characters once looked. One of the most striking examples is an early version of Woody, long before he became the warm and familiar cowboy audiences recognize today.

"This is an early drawing of Woody - I must admit, behind the scenes I refer to him as Scary Woody. Because I - I could not imagine watching a whole movie with a character who resembles that...." Freeman said.

In its earliest form, Woody resembled a ventriloquist dummy. Over time, incremental changes - including softer features like brown eyes - helped transform him into a more approachable and relatable character.

Chris Connelly of ABC News, who recently examined the franchise's legacy in "Toy Story: 30 years and beyond," said those refinements were key to the series' success.

"It was the ability to dive into those characters and fix those characters - so that Woody became a lovable guy that we know," Connelly said.

The archive is more than a historical collection. It continues to serve as a creative resource for artists working on the franchise's next chapter. Materials preserved there help guide new storytelling while maintaining continuity with the films that came before.

"It's one of the things that is so fun about working with these collections, because they delight.....," Freeman said.

"Toy Story 5" is set to hit theaters Friday, June 19, introducing a new storyline centered on the clash between toys and technology. Despite evolving themes, the franchise's core appeal remains its characters and emotional storytelling.

"Anyone who was a child when these movies came out, or if you paid for a ticket like everyone else did, this franchise has never disappointed you," Connelly said.

From its earliest sketches to its latest installment, "Toy Story" continues to illustrate how small creative decisions can shape characters - and stories - that resonate across generations.

"I will never get over this... you're so welcome, please come back," Freeman said.