Summary
Tom Hanks’ return in Toy Story 5 has seemingly been confirmed by his brother, Jim Hanks. Started in 1995, the Toy Story franchise consists of four main films that famously feature the voices of Tom Hanks as the cowboy doll Woody and Tim Allen as the astronaut action figure Buzz Lightyear. Earlier this year, it was announced that a fifth entry had been greenlit and is in active development at Disney and Pixar, though it remains unclear if Tom Hanks will be returning as the voice of Woody.
Now, in a new interview with Jace Diehl, Tom Hanks’ return in Toy Story 5 was seemingly confirmed by his brother, Jim Hanks, who has done voice substitution work as Woody. Reflecting on a conversation he had with his brother after Toy Story 4, Jim Hanks suggested that Tom Hanks will be back as the voice of Woody. Read his full comments or watch the video below, starting at 13:53:
There’s also word they’re thinking about making more. I don’t know where they’re going to go with it, but those people from Pixar are freaking geniuses, so I’m going to assume it’s going to be something really cool. I remember after four, granted this has changed now, but after four, I was having lunch with Tom, and we were talking about – he thought it was done, he said well, “Woody’s yours now.” “Oh, really? I guess it is, isn’t it? Okay.” Not so much… and he’s back!”
Everything We Know About Toy Story 5
While Tom Hanks’ return in Toy Story 5 has not been officially confirmed, Tim Allen’s return seems much more certain at this point. Shortly after the fifth film was announced by Disney CEO Bob Iger, Allen seemingly confirmed that Woody and Buzz will be back in Toy Story 5 with him voicing the astronaut action figure once again. Pixar’s chief creative officer Pete Docter later corroborated Woody and Buzz’s return. With the two iconic characters returning in Toy Story 5, it’s likely that Hanks and Allen will be back since it would be difficult to imagine anyone else voicing them.
Given Toy Story 4’s perfect ending to the franchise, the announcement of a fifth entry was immediately polarizing as fans questioned its necessity. In response, Docter defended the existence of Toy Story 5 which, since it is still in early development, could head in unexpected directions and up end surprising audiences. While much about Toy Story 5 remains unknown, it’s likely that Hanks and Allen will be back as Woody and Buzz, which is the first crucial step in creating another beloved installment in the animated saga.
Source: Jace Diehl