3. Toy Story 3. And 4…

October 2004, and Disney is bullish about the future of the Toy Story world.

"We're doing two Toy Stories at once," announces Eisner.

"They're working on different story ideas with the hopes there will be a Toy Story 3 and another after that," adds a spokesbod.

The company’s target for the new film – unlike their previous sequel plans – would be for a cinema release in 2008.

As if to rub salt into the wounds, Eisner also announced that his studio had set up its own facility to produce the new movie – a shot across Pixar’s bows that said, “if you won’t help us play with your toys, we’ll get our own playroom.”

“The Walt Disney Co. has announced the creation of a new computer animation unit, which will be based in Glendale California and will produce feature film sequels to the Pixar movies Disney has distributed, a highly successful group of films that includes Toy Story movies, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.”

 What, no love for A Bug’s Life? Always the redheaded stepchild…

But it was true: the sequel fate for Pixar’s early output was firmly in the hands of Eisner. The world readied itself for possible announcements about Finding Nemo 2: Nemo Gets Lost Again and Monsters, Inc: Scare Harder…

Next: The Circle And The Plot