Pixar writer says that viral 'Toy Story' narrative is 'fake news'

Though everyone loves a clever Pixar theory, one of the production company's most prominent writers and directors is setting the story straight on a viral interview that claims to explain a major Toy Story mystery.

A wildly depressing story about Andy's father circulated the internet on Saturday, stemming from a single interview in which a friend of a late Pixar writer shared what he says is the truth about this mysterious plot point.

Though Andy's father's absence from the films has long been the subject of fan speculation, this interview claims to offer the true story, recounted by the friend of someone who worked on the film.

Later, Pixar writer and animator Andrew Stanton stepped in to call bull:

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"Complete and utter fake news," Stanton tweeted. "Everyone go back to your homes. Nothing to see here, folks. #Iwasthere".

A Pixar vet, Stanton served as a writer on Toy Story and its subsequent sequels. Other writing and directing credits include A Bug's Life, WALL-E, Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.

The viral origin story comes courtesy of a YouTube toy reviewer named Mike Mozart who says he became friends with late Pixar writer Joe Ranft years before his death in 2005. In an interview with YouTube channel Super Carlin Brothers shared on June 22, Mozart relayed a conversation he says the pair had regarding the absence of Andy's father.

The story tells a depressing tale of Andy Sr.'s childhood struggle with polio and the three toys he managed to save -- Woody, Slinky Dog, and Mr. Potato Head -- before the rest of his belongings were incinerated.

Years later, moments before his death, he'd call Andy Jr. to him and present him with a key to a trunk in their attic. Andy Sr. tells him to go upstairs and retrieve the trunk, but by the time Andy Jr. returns, his dad has passed away. A few days later, Andy Jr. finally opens his father's trunk and finds the three toys.

While there are certain details from the film that support Mozart's story, Stanton's rebuttal suggests it might be best to label this story a compelling theory until further notice.

But for whatever it's worth, Mozart stands by his interview:

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