We’ve certainly got a friend in Tom Hanks. It’s been more than two years since it was revealed that the beloved Pixar franchise, Toy Story, would be moving forward with a fifth installment and now, things are finally kicking into gear. Taking to his social media to share the good news with his closest friends (a whopping 9.3 million to be exact), Hanks shared a photo of himself in the voice booth where he’ll once again lend his soothing tones to everyone’s favorite toy cowboy, Woody, when Toy Story 5 rides into cinemas on June 19, 2026.
Teasing what he was up to, Hanks wrote,
“First day of work on a certain Story Number 5! Need a hint? Disney. Studio B.”
While previous installments have been helmed by John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich and Josh Cooley, filmmaker Andrew Stanton takes his turn in the director’s chair for the animated project. No stranger to the long-running franchise, Stanton previously penned the first four titles, and returns to do the same for the fifth. Toy Story’s dedicated fandom is in great hands under Stanton’s leadership, as the critically-acclaimed creative has a solid track record backing other iconic animated flicks from the studio, like Finding Nemo and WALL-E.
What We Know So Far About ‘Toy Story 5’
Just like it has in all other aspects of life, technology will take over the world of our beloved toys in Toy Story 5. It’s the ultimate showdown between good old-fashioned toys and the new-age obsession with electronics-based entertainment. Meanwhile, a squadron of Buzz Lightyear figures jammed in toy mode will add yet another threat to the gang of best pals. Speaking of Buzz, the voice behind the toy who received his own semi-origin story just a few years ago, recently revealed where he was in the filming process. While Hanks might just be getting to the studio now, back in January, the Shifting Gears actor revealed that he was already hard at work on Toy Story 5, telling Good Morning America,
“I’ve already begun, I’m in the third act now. It’s remarkable what they’ve done… with Pixar they didn’t say I couldn’t say anything but… I wish I could… There’s a lot of real intrigue with Buzz. Jessie’s got a big trouble, she needs help, so it’s a really cool thing.”
In addition to Allen and Hanks, audiences can expect plenty of other familiar voices to return to the fold, including Joan Cusack as Jessie, Wallace Shawn as Rex, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Tony Hale as Forky, and more.
Check out Hanks‘ message to Toy Story fans everywhere in his Instagram post above.
via Collider