5 things you may not know about 'Toy Story'

This post was originally published August 20, 2015.

With three Toy Story films already part of Disney-Pixar's film repertoire and a fourth in the works, it's hard to believe that there was a time when the idea of talking toys seemed totally improbable. But in the 20 years since the first Toy Story film premiered, Woody, Buzz and all of Andy's toys have become a beloved part of American pop culture. Check out some of the surprising secrets about Toy Story that have been revealed by Pixar employees, including Disney-Pixar Animation Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter himself.

1. Woody was mean in original concepts for the first Toy Story, acting more cynical towards Buzz and the other toys instead of the caring and righteous leader that audiences came to love. If Woody hadn't evolved into the flawed but lovable character we all know, Pixar may have never become the company it is today.

2. At the end of Toy Story when the toys rally together to scare Sid, there was going to be a reference to The Shining (the favorite film of one of the editors), with Dolly saying "Red rum."

3. Randy Newman's song "You've got a friend in me" has dual meaning. At the start of film, the song is about Andy and Woody's relationship. By the end of the film, the song (sung as a duet with Lyle Lovett) is about Woody and Buzz.

4. Buzz Lightyear's space suit is accented in lime green and purple because those are the favorite colors of Disney-Pixar Animation Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter and his wife Nancy.

5. Woody was originally conceptualized as an old ventriloquist dummy but evolved into a pull sting toy inspired by a Casper the Friendly Ghost doll that belonged to Lasseter.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Disney-Pixar and this station.