Fans of Pixar’s beloved franchise eagerly anticipate the release of Toy Story 5, set to hit theaters in June 2026. Longtime voice actor Tim Allen, who famously portrays Buzz Lightyear, shared recent insights on the film's production during his interview with Collider.
Allen, who has brought Buzz to life since the first Toy Story film premiered back in 1995, revealed he just completed his first recording session for the upcoming sequel. "It’s really, really weird to get back in it," Allen stated when asked about stepping back behind the microphone. The 71-year-old actor noted the challenge of settling back in, saying, "It was really a struggle to get, and then maybe two hours in, I was doing Buzz."
The excitement surrounding the upcoming installment is palpable. Allen described the story as "very, very clever," indicating the creative team behind Toy Story 5 is not merely motivated by box office success. "I don’t really believe it’s about the money," he insisted. "I’m sure they want it to be a success, but 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]."
Hanks voices Sheriff Woody, Buzz's companion throughout the four previous films. Allen feels fortunate to reprise his iconic role. "I’m so blessed to be Buzz Lightyear, to be honest," he expressed. His enthusiasm for the project is matched by the fans hoping for another memorable chapter in the franchise.
Reflecting on the emotional connections established through the films, Allen shared his feelings about previous installments. While discussing his favorite moments from the Toy Story series, he pinpointed emotional scenes he shared with Hanks. 'When I said, “To infinity,” and Tom said, “And beyond,” was so emotional for the two of us,' he recalled. “We’re real close friends, and I loved [that moment].”
Despite the series wrapping up what many thought was the end of their stories with Toy Story 4, Allen is thrilled to explore new narratives for the beloved characters. "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," he explained, hinting at his enthusiasm for the development process.
While he appreciates the continuing adventures of Buzz and Woody, Allen previously expressed mixed feelings about the 2022 spinoff film, Lightyear, where Chris Evans voiced Buzz. "The brass who did the first four movies is not this. It's a whole new team," he remarked, pointing out the disconnect from the original films. "I’m a plot guy. It would seem to be a big adventure story, and as I see, it's not," he mentioned, expressing his concerns over the lack of connections to Buzz’s established legacy.
Allen’s dedication to the franchise is evident, and as anticipation builds for Toy Story 5, fans remain eager to see how the story continues to evolve. For fans who grew up watching the original films, the themes of friendship and nostalgic goodbyes have only deepened as the series has progressed. Allen couldn’t help but highlight the universal experiences reflected through the characters, particularly with Toy Story 3 hitting home for many viewers during major life transitions.
All four Toy Story films remain accessible for streaming on Disney+, allowing new generations to experience the cherished franchise. With the buzz surrounding the upcoming film, many are left wondering how Buzz Lightyear’s new escapades will resonate with audiences and continue the legacy established over 25 years ago. The creativity and passion infused by Allen and the production teams certainly spark hope for its forthcoming release, as fans await announcements on trailers and more sneak peeks.
