The $10,000 Buzz Lightyear and the Real Story Behind Toy Story's Merch Empire (Ep. 55)

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey continue their Toy Story series with a deep dive into the franchise's merchandising legacy—and how a scrappy unknown toy company landed the rights that Mattel and Hasbro turned down. From the earliest Thinkway figures to today's collector's items worth thousands, they explore how Toy Story became one of the most profitable and collectible Disney properties of all time.

Plus, Jim shares a personal behind-the-scenes story about the original vision for Toy Story 4, including his lost interview with John and Nancy Lasseter—and how a Valentine turned into something very different.

• Why Thinkway got the Toy Story license when everyone else passed

• What Barbie’s deleted scene tells us about Pixar’s early struggles

• The rise of collector culture—and what a boxed Buzz goes for now

• Jim’s first-day-of-release trip to MGM Studios and the Toy Story parade

• The real story behind the development and derailment of Toy Story 4

• How John Lasseter’s personal life reshaped the film and Pixar’s future

From Sid’s backyard to $10,000 auctions, this episode is packed with nostalgia, controversy, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

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