Hollywood legends Tim Allen and Tom Hanks are back as the vocal talents behind Buzz Lightyear and Woody in “Toy Story 5.”ABC News
To infinity and beyond!
As cinema-goers anticipate the theatrical debut of "Toy Story 5" on June 19, the creative minds behind the cherished Pixar saga reflected on its enduring legacy and the near-catastrophic first screening of the initial installment.
A special edition of "20/20," titled "'Toy Story': 30 Years and Beyond" will broadcast Friday, June 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will be available for streaming the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.
The preceding four "Toy Story" films can be streamed on Disney+.
"Toy Story 5" promises to transport enthusiasts into the franchise’s future with novel characters, fresh narrative arcs, and an original song by Taylor Swift.
Tom Hanks, the voice of the cowboy doll Woody since the series began, shared with "20/20" his enthusiasm for discovering the plot of each new movie.
"It feels like Christmas morning. What will it be? And then when you actually get there and read it, you think, 'Oh. Oh, this is a little further and higher than I anticipated it would be,'" he remarked.
Hollywood legends Tim Allen and Tom Hanks are back as the vocal talents behind Buzz Lightyear and Woody in “Toy Story 5.”ABC News
Tim Allen, who has lent his voice to Buzz Lightyear since the inaugural film, pointed out the deep connection between the characters and their own personas.
"There’s so much of Woody, the character, within Tom Hanks, and I believe there’s a considerable amount of Buzz [within me] when we are together," he stated.
In the film, the toys will encounter a new adversary voiced by Greta Lee, named Lilypad. Lilypad is an intelligent tablet toy that challenges conventional ideas of playtime in an increasingly digital environment.
"Initially, she was envisioned as a more antagonistic figure," Lee conveyed to "20/20." "However, it became quite evident that she is, in fact, far more human-like—essentially a complex individual."
Tony Hale, who has portrayed Forky since 2019’s "Toy Story 4," informed "20/20" that the narrative directly confronts the contemporary landscape of play.
"They aren’t dismissing technology. We are embracing it," Hale commented. "But the core idea is that it will never substitute genuine connection. That aspect will remain paramount."
The original "Toy Story" premiered in 1995, a collaborative effort between Pixar and Disney, drawing inspiration from the Academy Award-winning 1988 short film "Tin Toy."
During the early stages of story development, the space ranger action figure Buzz Lightyear was initially designated Lunar Larry, and Woody was referred to as Dummy, due to possessing the articulated jaw of a ventriloquist dummy.
When Pixar first presented a rough edit of the movie to Disney executives in 1993, it was met with disappointment. ABC News contributor Chris Connelly observed that Woody, in this iteration, was "rather unlikeable."
Andrew Stanton, who contributed to the film’s narrative and is directing the fifth installment, told "20/20" that the team aimed to imbue the story with more grit, but inadvertently made it "simply irritating and unappealing" in the process.
Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, who was a writer and animator on the original picture, recalled that "Toy Story" was a pivotal project for the studio, determining its future.
"We showed them a preview. And they responded, 'This simply isn’t working. Cease all operations, dismiss all your animators,'" he recounted.
"Fortunately, someone wisely suggested, 'Grant us one more chance. Just give us a couple of months, and we will rectify this,'" he added.
For the subsequent screening, Woody’s character was revised to be more amiable and less confrontational. The revised version was a success, marking the genesis of the Toy Story universe, which eventually led to three highly successful sequels, numerous theme park attractions, and merchandise generating substantial revenue.
Joan Cusack reprises her role as the voice of Jessie, the spirited cowgirl in “Toy Story 5.”ABC News
Joan Cusack, who has voiced the character of cowgirl Jessie since the 1999 release of "Toy Story 2," informed "20/20" that the fanbase spans across multiple generations.
"This has been the most significant endeavor of my entire career," she expressed.
Disney is the parent corporation of ABC News and Pixar.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com