“It’s a very good story”

Buzz Lightyear star Tim Allen gave audiences new insight into Pixar's progress Toy Story 5. First announced by Disney CEO Bob Iger in February 2023, the fifth installment of the popular 3D animated film series is scheduled to arrive on June 19, 2026. Although exact plot details for Toy Story 5 remain firmly under wraps, director Andrew Stanton has confirmed that the film will see the toys fighting to remain relevant in the face of electronic entertainment.

Talking to Collider, Allen confirmed that he recently completed his first five-hour recording session like Buzz to Toy Story 5. Admitting that although it was initially “very strange”Returning as the character, he finally found his way as Buzz again after two hours in the recording booth. Praising the story, Allen also dismissed suggestions that the sequel would simply be "about money", and if they hadn't crafted a clever script, Pixar would never have been able to contact Hanks and himself to return. Check out their comments below:

Well, I don't know what I should say. Yeah, I just did the first five-hour session for Buzz, probably a week ago. It's very, very strange to go back to that. I can't tell you anything. It's a very, very clever story. Do you want to do five of these? I really don't believe it's about the money. I'm sure they want it to be a success, but that's not why they did it. If they hadn't come up with a brilliant script, they wouldn't have done it and they wouldn't have called me and Tom. [Hanks]. It's very smart. It was really hard to get it, and then maybe two hours later I was doing Buzz. I'm very blessed to be Buzz Lightyear, to be honest. It'll be fun. I think it's a year away. I reached the third act. We will do the third act. And then, let's go back and clean it up. And then I'll do this five more times. It's a really good story, guys. It is very good.

Initial reactions to the film's announcement were mixed

Despite the franchise's overwhelming popularity, initial reactions to Toy Story 5 original advertisement were mixed up. With the long-running animated series having already provided not just one, but two conclusive endings in both Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4many fans felt another sequel was unnecessary. With several online commentators accusing the move of being little more than a cynical way to make moneyinitial expectations were low.

However, Allen's most recent comments indicate that he is more than aware of this initial reaction. With the actor's statement that Toy Story 5 script is up to par, his palpable enthusiasm for the project could serve to calm fears that the new sequel is undermining the franchise's legacy exclusively for profit. With Toy Story 5 the underlying Toys vs Tech story angle already hearkens back to many of the themes explored in the original film, Allen's words are starting to give a much more optimistic outlook on the project than many initially predicted.

Our thoughts on the return of Buzz and Woody's Toy Story 5

Pixar has already continued the franchise after ending it once

Exactly how Hanks' Woody will reunite with Buzz and his other friends later Toy Story 4 the emotional conclusion remains to be seen. However, with Pixar already showing that it was possible to create another compelling story after seemingly ending the series with Toy Story 3there's every reason to hope they can do it again.

Additionally, while many online commentators who expressed their doubts may have originally grown up with the first films, the inevitable passage of time has also meant that they are no longer the franchise's main demographic. For many younger viewers, many of whom are also children of those who watched the original as children, they are probably much less concerned about Toy Story 5of underlying corporate motives and simply more excited to experience new adventures with the franchise's beloved characters.

Source: Collider