Bo Peep is back! New 'Toy Story 4' poster and video reveal dramatic new look of fan-favorite toy

Nearly a decade after its release, Toy Story 3 remains one of — if not the very best — trilogy-cappers of all time, bringing Pixar’s premiere franchise to a beautiful, bawl-inducing conclusion. So you’d forgive us for feeling more than a little trepidatious about Toy Story 4, which is headed for theaters on June 21. Sure, we’re happy to see our old pals Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) again, as well as meet new friends like Forky and whatever toy Keanu Reeves is going to be playing. And we absolutely believe Hanks when he promises that this new movie will have a tear-count that equals the earlier films. Still, are there truly any lingering questions left over from the previous three films that a fourth one needs to explore?

As it turns out, yes — yes, there are. In fact, Disney has confirmed that Toy Story 4 will answer the franchise’s most important question: What happened to Bo Peep, anyway? Missing in action since the end of Toy Story 2, Bo’s long-awaited return is heralded in an all-new character poster and video, which reveal that she’s back with a new look and a new attitude to match. Not everything about her is changing, though; Annie Potts still voices the fan favorite character. “She is modern, independent, capable and confident,” the actress said of her animated alter ego in a statement. “Bo is written and conceived to be inspiring, as she has weathered life’s ups and downs with grace. I aspire to that.”

Bo Peep’s absence from Toy Story 3 was definitely noticed by her legions of fans, to say nothing of Woody. After all, in the original Toy Story, he and Bo Peep were widely viewed as the premiere plastic couple of Andy’s bedroom — even though they didn’t necessarily put a label on their relationship. But somewhere in between Andy’s adolescence and adulthood, Bo disappeared, with theories as to her fate ranging from her liquidation in a garage sale to her being given away. Naturally, the real explanation is being kept under wraps for now, with Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley remarking only : “While Woody was watching Andy grow up, Bo gathered dust until she took it upon herself to head out into the world. And when Woody shows up, they can’t believe they’ve found each other again.”

Bo’s personal growth is reflected in the way she carries herself and her trademark staff. In her character poster, she strikes a heroic pose that’s distinctly more Jedi than shepherdess. Call it Toy Story 4: The Toy Awakens.

Toy Story 4 opens in theaters on June 21. The Toy Story trilogy can be rented or purchased on Amazon and Vudu.

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