Toy Story 4 Villain Inspired by Twilight Zone Episode

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Toy Story 4: Christina Hendricks' Villain Inspired by Twilight Zone Episode

By Sam Stone

Published Mar 28, 2019

Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley revealed how a classic episode of The Twilight Zone inspired the film's antagonist, as voiced by Christina Hendricks.

While Toy Story 4 features the return of many fan-favorite characters, the filmmakers took specific inspiration in developing the sequel's antagonist. Mad Men actor Christina Hendricks portrays Gabby Gabby, a vintage baby doll designed to resemble a similar sinister doll from a classic 1960s episode of The Twilight Zone.

"I’ve always loved The Twilight Zone and that Talking Tina-type of thing. We’ve never seen creepy, old dolls like that in Toy Story, and this was an opportunity to do that,” Cooley told Entertainment Weekly. "Gabby has been in this antique store for 60-plus years. Gabby is a perfect toy except for the fact that she’s got one thing broken about her that’s been keeping her from being purchased and loved forever.”

Unlike previous Toy Story antagonists, Gabby's villainy is apparent from the start. She commands a group of silent ventriloquist dummies, led by her loyal assistant Benson to her bidding.

"We couldn’t have picked a better person to voice our villain than Christina Hendricks," Cooley shared. "It’s perfect. She can play such sweet innocence and kindness, and then at the flip of a switch, she can go just so cold and terrifying. It’s so much fun."

Directed by Josh Cooley, Toy Story 4 stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Keanu Reeves, Annie Potts, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Jeff Pidgeon, Blake Clark, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele and Tony Hale. The film opens June 21.