An NFL game will be animated like Toy Story in real-time in an upcoming special for ESPN. The first theatrical film ever released by animation studio Pixar, Toy Story has continued to be a major, revered part of animated history. This has resulted in multiple sequels and specials since the first film was released in 1995, with Toy Story 5 confirmed for release in the future.
Now, ESPN Marketing has announced an upcoming sports special that will be animated like a Toy Story movie.
The event, titled Toy Story Funday Football, will feature a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars being animated in real-time within Toy Story‘s setting. The special will air on Disney+ and ESPN+ on October 1 at 9:30 a.m. ET, the same time as the real football game.
What To Expect From Toy Story’s Funday Football
The upcoming special will make for an interesting animated feat, as it’s unclear how the live game will be animated in real-time. It’s possible that motion capture technology will be used to move pre-made models of the players instead of having new animation created on the fly. Even so, the special could surprise by having detailed animated sequences, pulling off an impressive live event.
The special could also see classic Toy Story characters like Woody or Buzz make guest appearances during real-world commercial breaks. Doing so would reflect how the longevity of the franchise has allowed multiple generations to enjoy the pair’s adventures. It would also add some surprising treats to the special as the football game plays out, cementing it as both an NFL and Toy Story event.
With Toy Story 5 arriving in the future, it makes sense for the football special to be inspired by the series. While it’s unclear when the next film will arrive, the use of the setting in the football animation could signal some news about the franchise’s future soon. How this Toy Story-themed game will play out remains to be seen, but will be revealed at the start of October.
