How ‘Toy Story 2’ Was Almost Deleted for Good

In the world of animated films, Pixar’s Toy Story 2 is hailed as a timeless classic.

It captured the hearts of audiences worldwide upon release. However, behind the scenes, a near-disastrous event almost erased this beloved sequel from existence.

This is the incredible story of how Toy Story 2 was almost deleted. And it would have been if for the dedication and quick thinking of one former Pixar employee. Her name is Galyn Susman.

How ‘Toy Story 2’ Was Almost Deleted for Good

During the production of Toy Story 2, the Pixar team faced a major setback.

A series of unfortunate events led to the accidental initiation of a command that would delete the film’s files. This command was intended for routine maintenance only. But it ended up targeting the very heart of the project.

The team soon realized the gravity of the situation. The team felt the weight of years of hard work, creativity, and innovation teetering on the brink of irreversible loss. Panic gripped them as they realized the entire movie, in its current state, faced the imminent threat of permanent deletion.

Galyn Susman to the Rescue

Galyn Susman, the film’s producer, played a crucial role in preventing this catastrophe.

Susman had been working at Pixar since the early days, contributing to the success of films like the original Toy Story and A Bug’s Life. Her experience and dedication made her an unsung hero behind the scenes.

On that fateful day, Susman was working from home while on paternity leave when she received an alarming message from technical director Oren Jacob. The message conveyed the severity of the situation. She understood that the movie was at risk of being deleted. She acted quickly and began to brainstorm on how to save it.

Susman Remembers Her Backup File

Susman quickly grasped the gravity of the situation and, with a calm demeanor, took charge. She discovered that the film’s backup system had failed, leaving the team with very few options.

However, Susman had a more recent copy of the film on her computer at home.

This realization sparked a glimmer of hope. The team worked tirelessly to establish a connection with the animator’s home computer. Miraculously, they succeeded in accessing the recent backup just in the nick of time, preventing the complete erasure of Toy Story 2.

Remembering the ‘Toy Story 2’ Miracle 25 Years Later

Galyn Susman’s quick thinking and leadership in the face of crisis saved Toy Story 2 from a fate that could have been disastrous. Her actions highlighted the importance of backup systems. But there was also the human element — experience, dedication, and the ability to keep a cool head in a crisis.

The incident served as a wake-up call for Pixar. It led to improvements in their data management and backup processes.

While the story of how Toy Story 2 was almost deleted for good remains a fascinating tale of near-disaster. It also stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the people behind the scenes who bring these beloved stories to life.

Without Galyn Susman’s quick and decisive actions, the world may never have experienced the joy and magic of Toy Story 2.