They appear to have changed the story from their original plan. Early reports said this movie was going to be a “road trip” movie where the toys went to the factory in Taiwan where Buzz was manufactured.
I think I remember a part where Buzz was reset and he forgot he was a toy.
That was when Disney decided to make the sequel on their own bat. That storyline was scrapped when Pixar and Disney joined forces.
The Claw chooses who will go and who will stay.