This week, Tim Allen began recording his much-loved part as Buzz Lightyear for Toy Story 5. The 71-year-old actor recently finished a five-hour speech session for the much-anticipated Pixar film. Allen, who has voiced the iconic Space Ranger since the franchise began in 1995, talked about how excited he was about the creative idea for the project.
Collider talked to Allen, who said, “It’s a very, very clever story.” He made it clear that the project’s growth was based on creativity rather than money: “I don’t think it’s really about the money.” These people would not have done it or called Tom Hanks and me if they hadn’t written such a great story.
The fifth episode of the popular cartoon show looks like it will explore new ideas. The official plot summary hints at a story where “Toy meets Tech,” giving Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and their friends a new challenge as they face a new threat to their fun.
Following the 2022 spin-off “Lightyear,” in which Chris Evans voiced Buzz, this sequel tries to return to the franchise’s roots. Fans didn’t like that film, and Allen said it “had nothing to do with” his original series character.
Andrew Stanton, a seasoned veteran of the franchise, will direct “Toy Story 5” along with co-director McKenna Harris and producer Jessica Choi. Allen said that the third act is currently being filmed and that the movie will be finished in about a year.
Allen talked about how hard it was to play Buzz again, even though he was familiar with the character. “It’s weird to get back in it,” he said. After about two hours of recording, though, he found his groove.
Allen said he loved the first “Toy Story” the most out of all the franchise films. There is nothing like Toy Story 1, he said, adding that it was such an amazing event. He also praised the third film. It’s not clear if Toy Story 3 will get it.
“Toy Story 5” is set to come out on June 19, 2026, thanks to Disney and Pixar. For now, Allen is marketing his return to TV with the ABC sitcom “Shifting Gears.” He plays a shop owner who fixes up old cars and gets back in touch with his daughter (Kat Dennings) and his grandkids on the show.
