How One Pixar Employee Rescued Toy Story 2 From Disaster
A single mistake nearly erased Toy Story 2 from existence, but a quick-thinking Pixar staffer saved the day. Discover the untold story behind the film’s near-loss, the unsung hero who stepped in, and the surprising fate that awaited her years later.
In 1998, Pixar Animation Studios was putting the finishing touches on the sequel to their groundbreaking hit, Toy Story. Spirits were high as the team neared the end of a long production journey. But everything changed in an instant when a single command, entered by mistake, began wiping out the film ’s files. Scene after scene disappeared before the team’s eyes, leaving them stunned and helpless.
Disaster Strikes at Pixar
Roughly 90% of Toy Story 2 was suddenly gone. Normally, a backup system would have saved the day, but the studio soon realized their backups hadn’t worked for months. Two years of hard work and millions of dollars seemed lost in a matter of moments. The situation looked hopeless, with the project’s future hanging by a thread.
Galyn Susman: The Unlikely Savior
Amid the chaos, Galyn Susman, Pixar’s Supervising Technical Director, emerged as the studio’s unexpected hero. On maternity leave at the time, Susman happened to have a recent copy of the film stored on her home computer. Thanks to her foresight, the team was able to recover the lost material and get the project back on track. Her quick thinking saved not just the movie, but potentially the entire franchise.
Box Office Triumph and Corporate Layoffs
Toy Story 2 went on to earn $511 million at the box office, helping the franchise reach over $3 billion in total revenue. The series became a cornerstone of Pixar’s success, with each installment drawing huge audiences and critical acclaim. Despite her pivotal role, Susman’s job security was far from guaranteed.
In 2023, Disney announced a wave of layoffs affecting 7,000 employees, including 75 positions at Pixar. Susman was among those let go, along with director Angus MacLane, who had contributed to several major projects. These cuts came during a year when Disney reported nearly $89 billion in revenue, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
Galyn Susman’s Legacy and New Chapter
Susman’s career at Pixar spanned more than three decades. She played key roles in beloved films like Monsters, Inc., Up, Ratatouille, and Brave, and served as lighting supervisor on the original Toy Story. Her final project with the studio was Lightyear. Before joining Pixar, she earned a computer science degree from Brown University and worked at Apple as a research staff member.
After leaving Pixar, Susman began working as a freelance animation producer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her story remains a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Stream Toy Story 2 on Disney+.