When it comes to complex and challenging roles that require submitting oneself fully to the process, few actors can claim to have achieved what Tom Hanks has. The two-time Oscar winner is synonymous with some of the most iconic characters in films like Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Cast Away, and many more that have showcased his prowess as a performer.
Hanks is also famously known for voicing the iconic cowboy toy, Woody, in Pixar’s animated masterpiece Toy Story, a franchise that pioneered a whole new revolution in Hollywood. Having played the cult character over 4 films, The Terminal star wholeheartedly welcomed the opportunity to reprise his role in a possible 5th installment, but under certain mandates.
Tom Hanks Will Gladly Play Woody Again Under This Condition
If Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story franchise are cult icons today, then the credit goes to Pixar’s pioneering vision, as well as Tom Hanks and Tim Allen who voiced the two popular characters on screen. Over 4 films that spanned almost 25 years, the two celebrities entered houses across the globe and endeared themselves to young kids and adults alike with their camaraderie.
Hanks and Allen created a lot of nostalgia for hardcore fans of the franchise when they reprised their roles in 2019’s Toy Story 4. With talks of a 5th film being in the pipeline, viewers have been eager to find out if the Oscar winner will play Woody once more.
The Sleepless in Seattle star addressed these speculations in The Rest is History podcast and revealed that he would be extremely thrilled and happy to be given the opportunity to reprise his role again. Having said that, Hanks was also clear that the narrative must do justice to the legacy of Woody and live upto to the franchise’s reputation.
“Tim Allen and I still get together once a month because we knew we were a part of something quite profound that started over 25 years ago. I will say the gatekeepers of all things Woody and Buzz do not take their tasks lightly…If it does happen, it’s going to have to go through a hothouse of all sorts of rigorous tests.”
Depsite having played extremely difficult roles throughout his career, Hanks revealed that voicing Woody was one of the toughest journeys he had embarked on. The actor explained further by stating that changing one’s voice was a far more challenging proposition than even going through physical transformations for characters.
Tom Hanks Was Floored By Toy Story From The Get-Go
Tom Hanks’ association with the cult animated series, Toy Story, began in 1995 and is one of the most legendary collaborations in Hollywood. The Cast Away star who perfectly embodied Woody, one of the most loved characters of the Pixar venture, said that he was on board with the script right from the beginning.
In an interview with BBC Radio 1, the Oscar winner revealed that he was completely sold on Pixar’s vision for the film as he hadn’t heard or seen anything of this nature until then. Elaborating further on the awe-inspiring technical aspects, the actor stated,
“The computer-generated animation itself had a look that was hyperreal, you know? But then also the marriage of the outraged voice of mine inside this outraged body of a toy was — I mean, it was just undeniably great”
Hanks also praised the franchise for its seamless blending of the narrative over 4 films and the emotional bond that every character shared in the story. He lauded Pixar’s bravery and commitment to creating stories that surpassed their previous scripts despite high pressure to deliver.
All 4 Toy Story films can be streamed on Disney+.
