Tim Allen seemingly confirms that Buzz and Woody will return in Toy Story 5 in a tweet following the upcoming movie’s confirmation at Disney.
Tim Allen has seemingly confirmed that both Buzz and Woody will return for Toy Story 5. Development for Toy Story 5 was confirmed to be underway by Bob Iger during the Disney quarterly earnings call with investors. Allen has voiced the iconic Buzz Lightyear character in mainline films since the franchise’s inception in 1995 alongside Tom Hanks’ Woody. Disney released the Lightyear spinoff film in 2022, starring Chris Evans as the spaceman, but the film didn’t receive the typical Toy Story praise and underperformed at the box office.
In a tweet from the longtime franchise voice actor, Allen seemingly confirms that Buzz and Woody will return for Toy Story 5.
His apparent confirmation comes amid concerns that the two leading toys might not be part of future plans, given how Toy Story 4 ended. Toy Story 5 was confirmed alongside new sequels for Frozen and Zootopia. Though no casting news has been announced, Allen writes in his tweet, “See ya soon Woody, you are a sad strange little man and you have my pity. And off we go to a number 5! To infinity and beyond!“
How Toy Story 5 Can Make Up For Lightyear
Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear failed to hit the heights that Toy Story has. In recent years, Disney has attempted to branch out with more original stories and fewer sequel entries, but those efforts have rendered mixed results. Iger’s return as CEO of Disney marked a substantial change in the future of their content, and that’s been put on display through the three sequel film announcements. Lightyear was a mixture of old and new thinking in bringing back a renowned character, but in a spinoff title, and in many ways, that confused vision led to many of Lightyear‘s shortcomings.
Toy Story 5 has the opportunity to win many viewers back, though. With Buzz’s return seemingly on the way, the continuation of the character’s story could see him get a better outcome after being sidelined a bit in favor of Woody’s story in Toy Story 4. As beautifully executed as Woody’s story was, Buzz didn’t get quite the same treatment. At the end of Toy Story 4, Buzz returned to Bonnie with her other toys. The ending set up a sad conclusion for Buzz, who then found himself at the end of his journey with Woody. The heart of Toy Story has always been the two buddies, though, which makes a reunion likely in Toy Story 5.
It’s a minor risk for Disney to run it back again after it was assumed that Toy Story 4 would be the end of the road, but if any character can greatly benefit from another mainline film, it’s Buzz. The allure of bringing back the character, with Allen voicing him, was likely an opportunity that was too good to pass up. Now, with confirmation that Toy Story 5 will one day hit theaters, Buzz’s story can get more love.
Source: Tim Allen/Twitter