Much-loved actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks has revealed he and the cast of “Toy Story” can’t believe they’re still part of the franchise.
Two-time Academy Award winner Hanks, 69, has voiced the cowboy character Woody in all four movies in the the hugely popular Disney Pixar series — and he will reprise his role in the highly anticipated fifth installment, which will hit theaters worldwide next month.
The IMDb synopsis for the new movie is as follows: “Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to electronics, a new threat to playtime.”
“Toy Story 5” features an ensemble cast that includes a number of actors who’ve been around since the beginning of the franchise in 1995. As well as Hanks, they include Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Wallace Shawn (Rex), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), and Annie Potts (Bo Peep). Meanwhile, the likes of Joan Cusack (Jessie) first appeared in 1999’s “Toy Story 2.”
Hanks says they feel shocked to still have their iconic roles after so long.
Tom Hanks Says ‘None of Us Can Believe We’re Still a Part of It’
GettyWoody himself, Tom Hanks, spoke exclusively to People on Monday, May 18, at the opening night of Broadway’s “Celebrity Autobiography,” which his wife, Rita Wilson, co-produces and stars in.
Hanks gave his thoughts on the upcoming “Toy Story 5” and what the franchise’s long-term cast think about still having their roles after all this time (31 years since the first movie, for context).
The star said, “Oh my Lord, all I can say is the saga continues.”
He added, “I have seen it. I don’t know how they do it, but it is a vibrant and proper chapter in the Toy Story canon.”
The 69-year-old then revealed, “None of us can believe that we’re still a part of it.”
Hanks was just 39 when the first movie came out in November 1995. His only other release that year was the Academy Award-winning docudrama “Apollo 13” (per IMDb).
‘Toy Story 5’ Is the First Movie in the Franchise for 7 Years
Getty“Toy Story 5” will be the first movie in the franchise for seven years, following the 2019 release of “Toy Story 4.”
Other returning actors include Blake Clark (Slinky Dog), Bonnie Hunt (Dolly), and Kristen Schaal (Trixie), who all first voiced their characters in 2010’s “Toy Story 3,” and Keanu Reeves (Duke Caboom), whose first installment was the aforementioned “Toy Story 4.”
Per IMDb, new stars playing new characters in “Toy Story 5” include Greta Lee (Lilypad), Conan O’Brien (Smarty Pants), Craig Robinson (Atlas), Shelby Rabara (Snappy), Matty Matheson (Dr. Nutcase), Mykal-Michelle Harris (Blaze), and Scarlett Spears (Bonnie Anderson).
New actors voicing returning characters include Jeff Bergman as Mr. Potato Head (replacing the late Don Rickles), Anna Vocino as Mrs. Potato Head (replacing the late Estelle Harris), Ernie Hudson as Combat Carl (replacing the late Carl Weathers), and John Hopkins as Mr. Pricklepants (replacing Timothy Dalton).
It remains to be seen whether or not “Toy Story 5” will be as critically and commercially as successful as its four predecessors. We can’t wait to see it, regardless.
“Toy Story” 5 is coming to a movie theater near you on Friday, June 19.
