The Lots-o'-Huggin Bear Hits Store Shelves Soon (UPDATED)

On Lee Unkrich's Twitpic page, he has just posted the above photo, a Lotso Bear. Up until now, we have not known if they were going to be selling a Lotso Bear as a new part of the Toy Story merchandise collection, but now we know that indeed they are.

Not only that, but we also know that this bear will have "over 45 different sayings," and will "respond to hugs, tickles, and your voice." A very, very odd feature of this toy is that it is "strawberry scented." I am wondering if this feature will play a part in the film...

The label in the upper right also shows that this is a creation of Pixar's favorite toy manufacturer, Thinkway Toys.

I cannot wait to get one. He looks very soft and very much like his virtual counterpart. I'm guessing it cost be around $40.00, and should be available in the coming months in preparation for the film's release on June 18.


Update: Above is another picture from Lee's Twitpic page. It is Ned Beatty, the voice of Lotso the Bear, holding the aforementioned toy version of the character. This gives us a feeling of the toy's scale, and it also shows us the uncanny resemblance between the character and who's doing his voice...


Update 2: Apparently, this Lotso toy was announced along with hundreds of other new toys at the American International Toy Fair in New York City earlier today. It was announced by John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich, Darla Anderson and John Ratzenberger. The new line of Toy Story 3 merchandise stole the show at this year's event, along with Lasseter being inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. Read the full press release, along with plenty of product descriptions, here.