The Countdown to Toy Story 5 Hits a Speed Bump
We are just weeks away from the massive June 19, 2026, theatrical release of Toy Story 5. While fans have been eagerly anticipating the return of Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang, the conversation has taken a sharp turn toward controversy. Following the release of the final trailer, a newly revealed character has put Pixar in the hot seat over accusations of blatant plagiarism.
The character at the center of the storm is a toy named Pizza with Sunglasses, who Disney confirmed will be voiced by global music icon Bad Bunny. While the casting of such a high-profile star was meant to boost excitement, it instead triggered immediate comparisons to a familiar face from the Cartoon Network era.
Is Pizza with Sunglasses a Copy of Pizza Steve?
Almost as soon as the promotional material went live, fans pointed out the striking similarities between Bad Bunny’s character and Pizza Steve from the 2013 series Uncle Grandpa. Pete Browngardt, the creator of the Cartoon Network show, didn’t hold back. He publicly addressed the situation online, suggesting that the design was a direct rip-off of his iconic pepperoni-clad character.
When you look at them side-by-side, it is easy to see why the internet is talking. Both characters are individual slices of pepperoni pizza defined by their dark, cool-guy sunglasses. However, Pixar’s version is designed specifically to look like a plastic toy, whereas Pizza Steve had sentient arms and legs. Despite these structural differences, the “cool pizza” archetype is so specific that many animation fans feel Pixar crossed a line.
Disney and Pixar’s History with Plagiarism Claims
This is certainly not the first time the House of Mouse has faced these kinds of allegations. For decades, Disney has navigated claims that some of its biggest hits were inspired by—or copied from—existing works. Some famous examples include:
- The Lion King (1994): Frequently compared to the Japanese series Kimba the White Lion.
- Frozen (2013): Faced a lawsuit from an artist claiming similarities to an earlier short film.
- Zootopia (2016): Involved a high-profile legal battle regarding character designs and story concepts.
- Inside Out (2015): Multiple creators have claimed they pitched similar “emotions as characters” concepts to Disney years before the film was made.
The Mickey on Main Street Take
While the visual similarities are undeniable, it’s unlikely that this will lead to any major legal trouble for Pixar. In the world of entertainment law, it is notoriously difficult to copyright a concept as broad as “a food item with shades.” Most courts require proof of copied dialogue or deep narrative structure rather than just a similar character design.
From an expert perspective, this looks more like an awkward PR moment than a project-ending crisis. Toy Story 5 is carrying a lot of weight as Pixar tries to prove the franchise still has more stories to tell. While the internet will likely continue to meme the Pizza Steve connection, we expect families to still flock to theaters on June 19. Pixar’s strength is usually in the emotional execution, and if this new character delivers a great performance alongside Bad Bunny’s star power, the controversy will likely fade into the background.
Disclaimer: This information is gathered from various online sources and news outlets. While we strive for accuracy, Disney plans and policies can change rapidly. We recommend double-checking official Disney sources for the most up-to-date information before making final travel plans.