Toy Story 4 announced by Pixar for 2017

Buzz Lightyear and Sheriff Woody are coming back to the big screen.

Disney Pixar announced Thursday it plans to produce Toy Story 4,with a release date in June 2017.

Pixar chief John Lasseter will direct the film.

Lasseter directed the first two Toy Storyfilms and says his team has come up with a new idea for the franchise that he can't stop thinking about. He says the fourth Toy Storyinstallment will "open a new chapter" in the lives of Woody, Buzz and their playful pals.

The first Toy Story movie was released in 1995 and went on to earn over $361 million US worldwide. Toy Story 2 came out in 1999, followed by Toy Story 3 in 2010. Both sequels earnedcritical acclaim and hugebox office success. Toy Story 3 won two Academy Awards for best animated feature and best original song.