When Toy Story 3 hit theaters in 2010, the excitement was immense. However, amidst the joy of seeing Woody and the gang again, a personal disappointment lingered. It wasn’t the emotional farewell as Andy parted with his beloved toys, nor the story’s echoes of Toy Story 2, but the shattering of a carefully constructed villain theory.
Leading up to the film’s release, trailers showcased Lotso as the seemingly cuddly yet sinister antagonist. A theory took root in my mind, so convincing that I walked into the cinema absolutely certain I had deciphered a major plot twist. Despite being proven wrong, revisiting Toy Story 3 recently sparked the question again: What if Stinky Pete, the Prospector, had been masquerading as Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear all along?
It sounds a bit far-fetched, perhaps even eerie, but within the Toy Story universe, the pieces seemed to fit. Let’s delve into how this theory could have played out.
We know Stinky Pete, voiced by the talented Who Played Stinky Pete, Ned Beatty, spent a lifetime confined to his box. He was presented as a vintage collectible, a member of Woody’s Roundup Gang alongside Jessie and Bullseye. The marketing strategy was clear: boys wanted Woody, girls gravitated towards Jessie, and lucky kids might get Bullseye. But where did that leave Stinky Pete? Few children yearned for a grumpy old prospector doll. Consequently, Stinky Pete remained on the shelf, witnessing other toys find homes while he waited for a child’s adoring gaze.
Stinky Pete, the Prospector, in his original packaging, yearning for a child’s love in this fan theory.
That moment never arrived. He was shuffled around, boxed up, narrowly escaping the toy bin on numerous occasions. Then came Al, the toy collector, recognizing Stinky Pete’s value as a mint-in-box rarity. He was placed back in storage, now with the purpose of being a display piece, a unique collectible to be admired, not played with.
Woody and his friends inadvertently crushed Stinky Pete’s last hope for purpose, and he ended up in the hands of Amy, an artistic child. Upon discovering the “stinky old man doll,” Amy transformed him. She adorned him in a pretty dress, painted stars on his face, and placed him on a shelf amongst her other repurposed dolls. One more alteration before his shelf exile: she removed his plastic gray pickaxe from its wooden handle, replacing it with a piece of brown plastic – a walking stick. This served to stabilize the wobbly toy and a weapon clashed with his new, gentler aesthetic.
Repurposed Stinky Pete by Amy, now in a dress and with a walking stick, a key element in the theory linking him to Lotso.
Again, Stinky Pete’s existence became one of observation, watching other dolls experience play and affection. None more so than the purple bear that occupied the place of honor on Amy’s bed. Each night, Amy would inhale the bear’s scent and drift to sleep, clutching the plush toy. Stinky Pete loathed that bear. Lotso never extended an invitation for Stinky Pete to join their shelf community. The “girly” dolls – Barbies, ponies, fairies – all shunned the prospector.
When Amy’s mother entered the room with a black trash bag, Stinky Pete was the first casualty of the yard sale purge. Once more, he observed as other toys were selected, finding new homes with children who displayed genuine excitement. A boy picked up Stinky Pete, scrutinized the painted stars and dress, then chuckled at the unusual doll. His mother called out, and the boy dropped Stinky Pete to the ground. He remained there until Amy’s mother packed up, leaving Stinky Pete by the trash cans.
Stinky Pete departed, aimless and bitter. He wandered the streets, consumed by anger and loneliness. Then, he encountered others, toys on their own journeys. As Stinky Pete approached, he recognized one of them – that bear. That odious, purple bear. People called him Stinky Pete, but he never actually smelled as cloying as that bear. Stinky Pete decided to observe, lurking in the shadows, awaiting his opportunity.
Stinky Pete observing Lotso and his companions in this imagined scenario, plotting his disguise.
This bear appeared different, more forlorn. Not the smug plush toy Amy embraced nightly. Oh, how Stinky Pete longed for a child to embrace him. If only he were soft and fragrant, instead of a rigid old man with a repulsive name. His resentment for that bear intensified. He waited for his moment, when the smelly bear was alone. He initially greeted the bear, discovering his name was Lotso and that he and his two companions were en route to their owner, Daisy’s, house. An owner? These toys were cherished and loved by a child?
Rage surged through Stinky Pete. He coveted everything Lotso possessed! He tore open the scented bear, extracted handfuls of stuffing, and while unobserved, he climbed inside…
Now concealed within the hollowed-out Lotso, and still relying on his walking stick for mobility, Stinky Pete informed Big Baby and Chuckles that their journey had exhausted him. They continued towards Daisy’s house. Reaching her window, they peered inside and witnessed another Lotso in Daisy’s arms! Not again! Stinky Pete was incandescent with fury. This was his opportunity for affection, stolen once more. Big Baby and Chuckles intended to wait outside for Daisy to discover them, but Stinky Pete insisted they leave immediately.
Stinky Pete, now inside the Lotso suit, arriving at Sunnyside Daycare, ready to enact his plan.
Together, they stumbled upon Sunnyside Daycare and were welcomed in. Stinky Pete, within his Lotso disguise, experienced the elation of being played with for the first time as young children hugged and cuddled the bear. This was his desire, his due, and he resolved to keep it for himself.
Stinky Pete began his machinations to seize control of Sunnyside. He cultivated a facade of caring and benevolence, which the toys readily embraced. It wasn’t long before Stinky Pete had achieved everything he craved. He had finally fashioned the life he desired. Until that cowboy doll reappeared…
That’s how I envisioned it.
The casting of who played stinky pete, Kelsey Grammer as Lotso, initially puzzled me. However, the stout build, the aged demeanor, and the WALKING STICK felt like substantial clues! I was unaware of Lotso’s backstory, but I surmised that at some juncture, Stinky Pete had acquired an old, worn-out teddy bear skin, utilizing it to transform into a beloved toy.
A visual representation of the theory: Stinky Pete removing Lotso’s stuffing to wear the bear suit.
Has this notion ever occurred to anyone else? I assumed it might be a prevalent theory, but I struggled to find similar ideas online. Perhaps my imagination simply wanders into peculiar territories. Regardless, I thought it would have been a compelling plot twist.
