If the goal is to keep the emotional maturity of Toy Story 4 while avoiding the criticisms many fans had (especially regarding Woody, Buzz, and the treatment of earlier character arcs), I'd restructure the story around belonging, purpose, and second chances rather than having Woody seemingly abandon his friends with relatively little conflict.
Woody's loyalty to his friends feels weakened.
Buzz is portrayed as less intelligent than in previous films.
Gabby Gabby becomes sympathetic, but her redemption comes too quickly.
The gang (Jessie, Rex, Hamm, etc.) has very little to do.
Bo Peep and Woody's romance lacks a satisfying payoff.
Act One: Bonnie's Road Trip
The opening remains largely the same.
Bonnie creates Forky, who believes he is trash.
Woody remains devoted to Bonnie, but he's struggling with no longer being her favorite toy. Instead of becoming obsessive, he is quietly wrestling with the idea that his purpose may be changing.
During the road trip, Forky escapes and Woody follows. They reunite with Bo Peep at the antique store. Bo is still independent and adventurous, but she isn't written as though she thinks Woody's traditional values are foolish. Instead, she respects them.
Their reunion is warm, awkward, and emotional.
Gabby Gabby: A Better Villain
Rather than immediately presenting Gabby as misunderstood, establish her as genuinely threatening.
Toy Story 4 should have Gabby Gabby occupy a middle ground between Lotso and Jessie.
Gabby was manufactured defective. She spent decades watching children choose other toys while she remained unwanted. Over time she convinced herself:
"If I had the right voice, someone would finally love me."
This obsession has consumed her. The Bensons aren't comic relief. They're eerie, loyal followers who genuinely frighten the heroes. Gabby's tragedy is real. But her methods are wrong. She intends to take Woody's voice box whether he agrees or not.
Instead of simply handing over his voice box, Woody refuses. He understands Gabby's pain. He also understands that sacrificing himself won't actually solve her problem. He tells her:
"You don't need my voice.
You need to believe you're worth loving without it."
Gabby refuses to listen. This creates a genuine antagonist with understandable motives.
Give the Supporting Cast Something to Do
Back at the antique store:
Jessie leads a rescue mission.
Buzz uses actual detective skills and leadership.
Rex and Hamm create distractions.
Duke Caboom gets a heroic subplot.
Forky learns that being "made" doesn't make him less valuable.
The gang works together instead of Woody carrying the entire plot.
Near the climax, Gabby finally captures Woody. She removes his voice box. But when she finally reaches Harmony, the little girl she's dreamed of for years...Harmony still doesn't want her. Not because of the voice box. Because Gabby is simply not the toy Harmony wants.
This devastates her. The realization finally hits: The voice box was never the problem. Her self-worth was. This is where the audience truly sympathizes with her. Not because she's forgiven instantly. Because she's shattered.
Instead of immediately finding a lost child, Gabby helps save Bonnie from a dangerous situation during the carnival.
She chooses to help despite believing nobody will ever love her. For the first time, she acts selflessly. Only afterward does she encounter a frightened lost girl. The girl chooses Gabby. Not because she changed her voice or forced anything, but because Gabby was there when she was needed.
The lesson lands much more naturally.
The climax centers on Woody's future. Bo offers him a place among the Lost Toys. But Woody doesn't immediately accept. He returns to Bonnie and the gang first. This creates the emotional goodbye that many viewers felt was missing. Woody speaks privately with:
"You've spent your whole life taking care of others.
Maybe it's time you figure out what makes you happy."
Now the choice feels earned.
Woody passes his sheriff badge to Jessie. This remains. But the scene is longer and more emotional.
"We'll take care of Bonnie."
The toys exchange heartfelt farewells. Buzz and Woody share one last embrace. A true ending to their friendship arc.
Months later. The carnival is thriving. Bo and Woody work together helping lost toys find homes. Gabby has become one of their strongest allies. Forky has embraced being a toy.
Woody finally realizes he has found a new purpose—not replacing Andy, not replacing Bonnie, but helping toys who have nobody.
As the sun sets over the carnival lights, Bo sits beside him atop a game booth.
Then she tenderly kisses him.
Not interrupted by comedy.
A genuine romantic payoff to a relationship that began back in Toy Story 2. The camera pulls back as the carnival lights glow below them. Woody and Bo look out over the toys they've helped. For the first time since Andy grew up, Woody is completely at peace.
This version preserves Woody's growth, keeps Buzz competent, gives the ensemble meaningful roles, allows Gabby Gabby to be both villainous and sympathetic, and concludes Woody and Bo Peep's relationship with a clear emotional payoff.
