[UPDATED] First Look: Toy Story of Terror

In October of last year, Animation World Network announced that Pixar were working on a Toy Story Halloween TV special, Toy Story of Terror, that was due this October. Since then, we haven't heard a peep about the project. Until now.

Pixar tweeted the above still a few hours ago, saying the "new animated short" would indeed be coming to ABC this Halloween. It's hardly a particularly exciting still, given that the visuals look rather similar to some of the latter scenes in Toy Story 3, but the project as a whole holds lots of potential for future Pixar TV specials.

We also heard last June that another Toy Story TV special would follow in Spring 2014 - expect to hear more about that project towards the end of this year. Until then, enjoy this first glimpse at Toy Story of Terror!

UPDATE - 15/05/2013, 19:45 (GMT): What seemed to escape my attention yesterday was that Pixar also revealed some plot and production details about the special, via TV Guide. Toy Story of Terror will be directed by Angus MacLane, who recently directed the Toy Story Toon, Small Fry, and produced by Galyn Susman (Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation).

The half hour Halloween special will apparently focus on Jessie, and Susman said "we've gotten to see a lot of development in Woody and in Buzz and we felt it was Jesse's turn to really show some growth," adding "Bonnie is on a road trip to go see grandma with her mom and the toys are in the trunk. Mom gets a flat tire and they have to spend the night at a motel and all kinds of chaos ensues."

Comat Carl as he appears in Toy Story.

Toy Story of Terror will also see the re-appearance of Combat Carl, a toy that was blown up by Sid in the original Toy Story; he'll be voiced by Carl Weathers (Rocky, Predator), who Arrested Development fans will recognise as Tobias's lax acting mentor.

The Toy Story gang's first small screen outing is apparently influenced by spooky classics; MacLane spoke about striking the right balance between scary and fun:

"There was some support to make a scary, but not necessarily Halloween-themed half-hour Toy Story special for television. There was some concern early on about not making it too scary for kids. I think we've done a good job of balancing staying true to Toy Story and staying true to the genre. As far as adults are concerned, I've always thought that we make these movies for ourselves. I think it's funny and like the other Toy Story films, I think there is plenty of stuff in there that only adults will get."

Thoughts on the plot so far? Is more Toy Story something you're interested in seeing?

Also set to debut on ABC this year: Watch: First Promo for Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.