Tom Hanks Is Returning To His Best Franchise
Despite fans believing they had said goodbye to Woody and Buzz for good with 2019’s Toy Story 4, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed earlier this year that Toy Story 5 is officially in active development. However, details about its release date and the return of previous cast members have remained elusive until now. According to ScreenRant, it appears that Tom Hanks’s return as Woody may have been confirmed by his brother.
Jim Hanks, Tom Hanks soundalike as Woody, revealed in an interview that his famous sibling is back for Toy Story 5.
While speaking with internet personality Jace Diehl, Jim Hanks, known for his voice substitution work as Woody, hinted at Tom Hanks reprising his iconic role in Toy Story 5. He shared that he initially thought Tom would pass the torch to him for this cherished character, however, that seems to no longer be the case. “Not so much…he’s back!” he exclaimed, indicating Tom’s unyielding enthusiasm for the role that clearly still holds a special place in his heart.
Since its groundbreaking 1995 debut, Toy Story has stood as a pioneering achievement in animated filmmaking. It marked Pixar’s first foray into feature-length computer-animated cinema. At its core, the film follows the adventures of Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks, and Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Tim Allen, as they embark on an exciting journey alongside other toys.
Toy Story wasn’t merely a technical marvel; it also enjoyed remarkable box office success, grossing over $244 million worldwide. Furthermore, it garnered widespread critical acclaim, maintaining a remarkable 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes to this day. Tom Hanks’ affable and endearing portrayal of Woody, alongside Tim Allen’s remarkable depiction of Buzz Lightyear, was pivotal in the film’s enduring appeal.
While many details about the upcoming film are still under wraps, it seems almost certain that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen will return to voice Woody and Buzz.
As the franchise expanded, Tom Hanks, alongside Allen, continued to be integral to its success. Toy Story 2 debuted in 1999, followed by Toy Story 3 in 2010, both receiving immense critical acclaim and achieving box office success. Toy Story 2, like its predecessor, earned a pristine 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed nearly $500 million globally, while Toy Story 3 soared past the $1 billion mark in box office earnings, solidifying Woody and Buzz as cherished characters for multiple generations.
The success of the trilogy inevitably paved the way for Toy Story 4 in 2019, with Tom Hanks reprising his role as Woody and Tim Allen returning as Buzz Lightyear. This installment was another colossal hit, amassing over $1 billion in global box office revenue while receiving critical acclaim. It reinforced the significance of Hanks and Allen as cornerstones of the franchise’s resounding success.
Tom Hanks will always be Woody, and Tim Allen will always be Buzz, so we can’t wait for the pair to reunite on screen in Toy Story 5.
Bob Iger unveiled the news of Toy Story 5‘s greenlight during a Disney earnings call in February. However, Tim Allen indicated through his X account that the sequel had been in development well before the official announcement. In a tease, Allen hinted at reprising his role in the upcoming film in a separate post, mentioning a rendezvous with his pal Woody, though there was no mention of Tom Hanks.
When Toy Story 5 was announced, some fans questioned the need for another installment, but the news elated a significant number. While many details about the upcoming film are still under wraps, it seems almost certain that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen will return to voice Woody and Buzz. Their iconic roles are inseparable from the success of the Toy Story franchise, making their presence indispensable.
