| Bo Peep | |
|---|---|
| Toy Story character | |
 Bo Peep in her appearance from the first twoToy Story films | |
| First appearance | Toy Story (1995) |
| Created by | |
| Based on | Little Bo-Peep nursery rhyme |
| Voiced by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Toy (Porcelain figurine) |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Toy |
| Significantother | Woody |
Bo Peep is a fictional character appearing in theDisney–PixarToy Story franchise. The character is primarily voiced byAnnie Potts. She appeared inToy Story andToy Story 2 as asupporting character, portrayed as a love interest to theprotagonist,Woody. After being given away prior to the events ofToy Story 3, Bo Peep returns inToy Story 4 as amajor character. She will return inToy Story 5.
Bo Peep was created byJohn Lasseter,Andrew Stanton,Joe Ranft, andPete Docter forthe original 1995 feature film, being based on the nursery rhyme "Little Bo-Peep". She was later re-conceived by the development team behindToy Story 4.
The character received a generally positive reception in the first two films of the franchise, particularly towards the side plots involving her and Woody. Bo's reception in the fourth film received praise regarding her leading role, but criticism drawn towards her new redesign, concept, and feminist personality. Her leading role inToy Story 4 contributed to the character making live meet-and-greet appearances inDisney theme Parks after the film's release.[1]
Joe Ranft really wanted Woody to have much of alove interest. Originally, Woody's love interest was supposed to be aBarbiedoll, however,Mattel licensed the rights and the filmmakers took Barbie out of the film, resulting in Bo Peep. Bo Peep was a secondary character in the first two films of the franchise, missing the main action in both of them.John Lasseter's wife Nancy consideredJessie as a great addition to the cast inToy Story 2, because she was perceived as a stronger character, and she had more substance than Bo.[2]
However, Bo was given a major role inToy Story 4. Regarding the portrayal of Bo in this film, story artist Carrie Hobson explained toGameSpot that the production staff decided to redefine the character for the fourth installment, working to nail down specific personality traits and ultimately positioning her as "a character who decided she didn't just want to sit on a shelf waiting for life to happen. She learned to adapt."[3]Stylist interviewed some members of the staff, who explained that they "were trying to create a very strong character." To reinforce that idea, we never wanted to see her hair move." However, Kimh commented on Bo's material: "If you look closely, you'll see cracking in her hair – this is a subtle but constant reminder to the audience that she's made of porcelain." Regarding her look, Kihm added: "she’s athletic, and perhaps her new outfit gives her this sense of freedom to express that athleticism."[4]
Journalist Danielle Tcholakian ofGEN noted that according to one producer, Jason Rivera, Bo was re-designed for the film by "Team Bo", a group of around five women artists and character designers who would flag any potential problems with her storyline, and that another producer, Mark Nielsen, claimed that the movie was "kind of code-named Peep" during development due to the character's importance.[5]
Bo Peep is portrayed as a very flirtatious, romantic, sensible and levelheaded toy. She is depicted as gentle, ladylike, and kindhearted. She has strong feelings for Woody and cares for him, which cause her (along with Slinky) to give him the benefit of the doubt when he allegedly murdersBuzz Lightyear, whom she clearly considers attractive as well, and consistently whispers to the wall her worries about where Woody could be. Despite this, she still behaves like a free spirit. She only believes what she has witnessed for herself, such as when she looks into Lenny's visor and sees Buzz riding behind Woody aboard RC, while the rest of the toys immediately take her word for it. By the time she is moved to Molly's room, she becomes more of a leader amongst her toys as she is described by Woody to be the most capable of easing Molly's cries at night which often caused great dismay to everyone.
Since she parted ways with Andy and Molly, Bo has taken on a different point of view in life. As a lost toy, she never worries about being loved by a child and is open to seeing the world.
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Voice actressAnnie Potts voiced the character inToy Story,Toy Story 2 andToy Story 4. Regarding the new portrayal of Bo in the fourth film, Potts toldGlamour that Bo "is modern, independent, capable and confident. Bo is written and conceived to be inspiring as she has weathered life’s ups and downs with grace."[6] Story supervisor Valerie LaPointe said that Potts gave this new version of Bo a deeper voice, more grit and natural charm.
In the video gameToy Story Racer, Bo is voiced by Rebecca Wink.[7]
The character is introduced inToy Story as aporcelain figurine that is a detachable component of a bedside lamp along with a three-headed sheep belonging to Andy's younger sister Molly. Nonetheless, Andy is seen playing with her and the rest of his toys; in Andy's games of imaginative play, Bo is used as thedamsel-in-distress of the stories. Bo is the protagonist Woody's romantic interest, and acts as a voice of reason for him.[4] She is depicted as gentle, ladylike, and kindhearted. Woody is excluded from the group of toys whenBuzz Lightyear starts to attract more attention, but Bo remains loyal to him rather than taunting him because of Buzz's rise in popularity. After Woody accidentally knocked Buzz out the window, she is one of the only toys who is skeptical to believe that Woody would have purposely harmed Buzz, even with their tumultuous start. At the end of the film, when Woody and Buzz return, she gives Woody a kiss.
Bo makes a few brief speaking cameo appearances in the beginning and the end ofToy Story 2. She continues to show her attraction to Woody, flirting with him, and also assures him that Andy will always care about him.
Bo appears briefly in the beginning ofToy Story 3 but doesn't speak. Her cameo is in the home movies Andy's mom makes. By the time of the actual events of the film, it is revealed that Bo is one of the toys that have been given away.
In August 2015, it was revealed that Bo Peep would have a major role inToy Story 4,[8] with initial reports stating that the film would center on a quest by Woody and Buzz to find Bo.[9]
Toy Story 4 reintroduces Bo Peep with a dramatically expanded and reimagined character arc, returning as a confident, resourceful, and independent leader. After being given away years before, she experiences neglect, life in an antique shop, and eventually chooses to live as a “lost toy”. While her sheep—Billy, Goat, and Gruff—remain her companions, Bo embraces autonomy, self-determination, and the belief that toys can create meaning beyond ownership. Her changed outlook contrasts sharply with Woody’s devotion to traditional toy loyalty, but Bo’s evolution ultimately helps Woody reconsider his own identity through the course of the film.
A short film titledLamp Life, which reveals Bo's whereabouts between leaving and reuniting with Woody, was released onDisney+ on January 31, 2020.[10]
In 2019 following the release ofToy Story 4, Bo Peep began meeting and greeting guests at theDisney Parks and Resorts. She is located inFantasyland and inToy Story Land.[1]
Bo Peep's role in the first two films was called bySlate a "trophy for male cinematic heroism: a blond, blue-eyed, delicate, and conventionally beautiful woman who existed to be rescued and to reward Woody for his heroic acts with chaste kisses."[11] Her participation in action scenes in these films was described byThe Washington Post as limited, "suggesting she was perhaps as fragile as porcelain itself."[12]
"It was Bo's revival that inspired director Josh Cooley and producers Jonas Rivera and Mark Nielsen to take a big risk in making a fourth film when the previous three had been huge successes critically."
Following her return and protagonism inToy Story 4, Bo gained significant coverage. Describing her new look,The Telegraph says that "Wearing trousers instead of her old, pink floor-length shepherdess dress and bonnet, the new version of the Bo Peep is simply the right way to tell the story."[14]Michael Cavna fromThe Washington Post wrote that "no character emerges from Pixar'sToy Story 4 exuding a stronger sense of self than Bo", and stated that Bo's new presence in the film rises as a symbol that reflects the contributions of leading women.[12] Inkoo Kang fromSlate considers that Bo had become "the rare female character expanded in a sequel whose journey doesn't feel secondary."[11] Claire Corkery fromThe National wrote that Bo transformed "into a superhero who spearheads the many rescue missions the film series has become famous for."[13] Josh Newis-Smith stated inGlamour that Bo "is just the empowered female Disney character we need in 2019."[6]
However, there was negative criticism regarding Bo's new portrayal. Writer and film criticStella Duffy said that the new portrayal of Bo is not feminist because "She's still going to fall in love, she's still going to have the happily ever after, that's not feminism! It's a woman who kicks off her skirt to reveal bloomers."[15] Nell Frizzell fromVogue wrote that Bo changed from a "shepherdess in distress" into "badass", but considered that while movie studios (particularly Disney) have set a new distinction between damsels in distress and action heroines, all of them are slim, blond, and beautiful.[16] Ernesto Huerta asked in Mexican newspaperMilenio if Bo's new personality responds to a need of the audience or to thepolitical correctness that currently reigns inHollywood.[17] Beth Webb asked in British magazineLittle White Lies: "The return of the sheep-herding heroine inToy Story 4 signals a new chapter for the studio – but has anything changed behind the scenes?", referring to the reported neglect of the female staff by animation studios, as well as "lengthy" sexual misconduct allegations against John Lasseter.[18]
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