Pop superstar Taylor Swift has opened up about her initial hesitation to write an original song for Pixar’s blockbuster animated feature Toy Story 5.
During a special film Q&A session with director Andrew Stanton on November 1, Swift revealed the surprising reason behind her initial reservation.
Initial Hesitation and Scheduling Conflicts
Director Andrew Stanton envisioned Swift for the film’s closing soundtrack from the very beginning of production. However, her demanding global Eras Tour schedule initially created a major conflict.
Consequently, Stanton chose to wait for Swift rather than approach any other artist. He insisted that if Swift could not participate, the movie simply would not feature a new track over the end credits.
When her schedule finally freed up, Swift hesitated for a completely different reason. She worried that Pixar had already hired another artist during her delay.
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Protecting Fellow Artists in the Industry
Specifically, Swift repeatedly questioned the creative team before signing on to write I Knew It, I Knew You.
“Be honest: Did you guys replace me?” Swift recalled asking the filmmakers. She explained that she refused to take a job away from another musician who might have been brought in during the wait.
Furthermore, Swift made her personal policy clear to the directors. She stated firmly that she was not in the business of kicking other creators off film projects.
A Rapid Collaboration with Jack Antonoff
Once Stanton reassured her that no other musicians were involved, Swift moved forward quickly.
First, she attended an early private screening of the animated feature. Immediately after watching the cut, she joined forces with frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff.
Together, the duo wrote and recorded the entire track in just a few hours.
Ultimately, Swift’s ethical stance and rapid creative output produced a standout musical moment, giving Pixar fans an unforgettable end-credits theme.