Disney’s Secret “Decoy Version” of Toy Story 5 to Hide Taylor Swift’s Surprise Role

Disney cleverly concealed Taylor Swift’s involvement in Toy Story 5 by crafting a secret decoy version of the film, keeping even the crew in the dark.

When Taylor Swift Met Toy Story: A Sneaky Surprise

Imagine being part of one of the most beloved animation franchises ever, Toy Story, and suddenly discovering that global pop superstar Taylor Swift secretly contributed a song—only days before the film’s release. That’s exactly what happened with Toy Story 5. Disney went to great lengths to keep Swift’s involvement under wraps, even from the cast and crew themselves. It’s like a plot twist right out of an animated movie!

Just recently, on June 5, Swift unveiled her new song, “I Knew It, I Knew You”, specially written and produced with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff for the film. What's heartwarming is that the track is sung from the point of view of Jessie, the fiery cowgirl toy, and it marks a nostalgic return to Swift’s country roots. The song adds a fresh yet heartfelt layer to the film’s soundtrack, perfectly capturing Jessie’s spirit.

Taylor Swift’s surprise musical gift for Toy Story 5 adds a magical touch.

Under Wraps: The Decoy Version and The Secret Song

Toy Story 5 is officially hitting theaters on June 19, but Swift’s role was kept hush-hush for years despite the movie’s long production cycle. This silence sparked feverish speculation among Swift’s diehard fans, the Swifties, especially after she teased a cryptic countdown on her website in May. Yet, few truly knew what was brewing behind the scenes.

At a SXSW London panel, Thomas Jordan, the film’s VFX supervisor, dropped the big secret: even most of the film’s crew didn’t know about Swift’s contribution until the very last minute. Disney and Pixar went so far as to create a “decoy version” of Toy Story 5 for early screenings that omitted her song entirely. This stealth tactic ensured the surprise remained intact.

“The crew that made Toy Story 5 did not know about this secret until last week,” Jordan revealed. “Turns out, Taylor Swift is a huge Toy Story fan like many of us. She actually saw an early version of the film, requested to see it before it was finished, 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.”

— Thomas Jordan, VFX Supervisor

If that’s not an insider’s dream come true, what is? A mega star writing a song inspired by the film after sneaking a peek at an unfinished cut? The secrecy surrounding the track made the eventual announcement all the more thrilling.

The Song That Came From Childhood Dreams

Taylor Swift herself shared her excitement about writing for Toy Story, saying, “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.” She fell head over heels for the fifth installment as soon as she saw it in its early stages and dashed off the song right after the screening.

Adding a sprinkle of nostalgia, Swift posted a video of herself as a child dressed as Jessie, her favorite character, explaining how writing the song felt both like a musical departure and a warm homecoming. “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 heartfelt connection Swift has with Toy Story shines through every note of “I Knew It, I Knew You,” making it a perfect match for the film’s emotional journey.

Toy Story 5: What’s New in Andy’s Room?

Picking up where Toy Story 4 left off, this time Woody has moved on to stay with Bo Peep, and Jessie has stepped up as the leader of Bonnie’s room. Buzz Lightyear remains her trusty second-in-command, but Bonnie’s affections have shifted to a shiny new favorite toy: Lilypad, a frog-like tablet.

This setup opens new storytelling possibilities, exploring the dynamics between classic toys and new arrivals, with Jessie at the helm. The fresh tension between old and new toys adds a layer of emotional depth, and Swift’s song fits right into this evolving world.

More Celebrity Magic: Bad Bunny Joins the Cast

The star power of Toy Story 5 doesn’t stop with Taylor Swift. Latin music sensation Bad Bunny has been cast as a talking pizza slice named “Pizza With Sunglasses.” This quirky character is described as a forgotten toy living in an abandoned backyard shed, adding a fun and unexpected flavor to the movie.

With Swift’s heartfelt song and Bad Bunny’s distinctive voice, Toy Story 5 is poised to attract an even broader audience, blending nostalgia with contemporary pop culture flair.

Experience the Magic Yourself

Ready to relive the magic of Toy Story with a fresh, star-studded twist? Catch Toy Story 5 when it hits theaters on June 19. And, if you want to keep the spirit alive, imagine how special it would be to have your favorite Toy Story album cover or movie poster on your wall—perfect for any fan, old or new.

FAQ: Toy Story 5 and Taylor Swift

• How did Disney keep Taylor Swift’s involvement secret?
  They created a decoy version of the film without her song for early previews, keeping even most of the crew unaware until close to release.
• What is the name of Taylor Swift’s song for Toy Story 5?
  The track is titled “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
• Who collaborated with Taylor Swift on the song?
  Jack Antonoff co-wrote and produced the song alongside Swift.
• What role does Bad Bunny play in the film?
  He voices “Pizza With Sunglasses,” a talking pizza slice toy living in an abandoned shed.
• Does Taylor Swift have a personal connection to Toy Story?
  Yes, she’s been a fan since childhood and even dressed as Jessie when she was young.

Curious to bring some Toy Story magic into your home? Shop your favorite album cover or movie poster at our store and celebrate this timeless adventure in style. Explore our collection here.