Buzz Lightyear star Tim Allen has offered audiences fresh insight into the progress of Pixar’s Toy Story 5. First announced by Disney CEO Bob Iger in February 2023, the fifth installment in the popular 3D animated movie series is slated to arrive on June 19, 2026. While the exact plot details for Toy Story 5 remain firmly under wraps, director Andrew Stanton has confirmed that the movie will see the toys struggling to remain relevant in the face of electronic entertainment.
Speaking with Collider, Allen confirmed that he recently completed his first five-hour recording session as Buzz for Toy Story 5. Admitting that while it was initially “really weird” returning as the character, he eventually found his stride as Buzz again after two hours in the recording booth. Praising the story, Allen also shot down suggestions that the sequel is simply “about the money,” and that had they not devised a clever script, Pixar would never have been able to reach out to Hanks and himself to return. Check out his comments below:
Well, I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. Yes, I just did the first five-hour session for Buzz, probably a week ago. It’s really, really weird to get back in it. I can’t tell you anything. It’s a very, very clever story. Do you wanna do five of these? I don’t really believe it’s about the money. I’m sure they want it to be a success, but that’s not why they did it. Had they not come up with a brilliant script, they wouldn’t have done it, and they wouldn’t have called me and Tom [Hanks]. It’s really clever. It was really a struggle to get, and then maybe two hours in, I was doing Buzz. I’m so blessed to be Buzz Lightyear, to be honest. It’s gonna be fun. I think we’re a year out. I’ve gotten up to the third act. We’ll do the third act. And then, we’ll go back and clean it. And then, I’ll do it about five more times. It’s a really good story, guys. It’s really good.
Initial Reactions To The Movie’s Announcement Were Mixed
Despite the overwhelming popularity of the franchise, the initial reactions to Toy Story 5’s original announcement were mixed. With the long-running animated series already having provided not just one, but two conclusive endings in both Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4, many fans felt another sequel was unnecessary. With several online commentators accusing the move of being little more than a cynical cash grab, early expectations were low.
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However, Allen’s most recent comments indicate that he is more than aware of this initial backlash. With the actor’s assertion that Toy Story 5’s script is up-to-par, his palpable enthusiasm for the project may hopefully serve to allay fears the new sequel is undermining the franchise’s legacy solely for profit. With Toy Story 5’s underlying Toys vs Tech story angle already harking back to many of the themes explored in the original movie, Allen’s words are beginning to paint a far more optimistic take on the project than many had first anticipated.
Our Take On Buzz And Woody’s Toy Story 5 Return
Pixar Has Already Continued The Franchise After Finishing It Once
Exactly how Hanks’ Woody will find himself reunited with Buzz and his other friends after Toy Story 4’s emotional conclusion remains to be seen. However, with Pixar already showing that it was possible to craft another engaging tale after seemingly finishing the series with Toy Story 3, there is every reason to expect they could do it again.
Moreover, while many online commentators who expressed their doubts may have originally grown up with the first movies, the inevitable passage of time has also meant they are no longer the franchise’s key demographic. For many younger viewers, many of whom are also the children of those who watched the original as kids, they are likely far less concerned with Toy Story 5’s underlying corporate motives, and simply more excited to experience new adventures with the franchise’s much-beloved characters.
Source: Collider
Toy Story 5 is the fifth entry in the Toy Story movie franchise by Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. The film was announced on February 8 2023, along with several other major Disney animation sequels. For the film, Tim Allen reprises his role as the space-faring toy, Buzz Lightyear, once again.
- Release Date
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June 19, 2026
- Director
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Andrew Stanton
, McKenna Harris - Writers
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Andrew Stanton
