All articles tagged with #toy story
Tom Hanks says Disney could use AI/deepfake tech to recreate Woody’s voice for Toy Story 6 using existing recordings, potentially letting him appear without returning. He describes it as a “scary thought” and notes it would bring artistic and legal challenges, even as studios could rely on archived dialogue to digitize the character at any age.
Spoiler Space runs a spoiler-heavy round-up of recent releases, revealing The Death Of Robin Hood ends with the legend dying on his own terms and shaping his legacy while those around him pay the price; it also highlights Toy Story 5’s shift to Bonnie and Jessie, focusing on girlhood, friendship, and tech anxiety, and it includes a retro take on Disney’s The Hunchback Of Notre Dame as a bold 1996 risk that foreshadowed today’s IP-driven landscape, along with other features on dad movies and cinema nostalgia.
Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 5 is tracking for a roughly $160 million domestic debut, the biggest opening of 2026 so far, after a $71 million opening day that ranks second for an animated feature behind The Incredibles 2, and with an A CinemaScore; the film is ahead of Toy Story 4’s $120.9 million bow, while other weekend entries include Leviticus and The Death of Robin Hood and Disclosure Day dips in its second weekend.
Toy Story 5 drew mixed reviews, with many critics praising its timely cautionary take on children’s screen use and online life while others deem the franchise tired; the film centers on a new tablet threat, Lilypad, as Woody, Buzz and Jessie try to shield Bonnie, delivering a warm, emotionally resonant but debate‑stoking message about tech’s pull on kids.
Slate’s Dana Stevens argues Toy Story 5 is a rare, purpose-driven sequel that uses humor and spectacle to ask what gives toys—and people—meaning in a digital age, introducing new characters while honoring legacy ones and showing that change can deepen a beloved universe.
Toy Story 5 is tracking a domestic debut of about $145–150 million from 4,400 theaters (with forecasts up to $175 million), potentially the biggest opening in the franchise and one of the year’s top starts, while overseas sales could push the global bow above $275 million on a $250 million budget; the film stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack, is directed by Andrew Stanton, and features a Taylor Swift song on the soundtrack.
Joan Cusack explains a years‑long hiatus from acting to live a normal life in Chicago, raise her kids, and run a gift shop, before resurfacing at Toy Story 5’s premiere as Jessie—the same role she’s voiced for more than 25 years—marking her first major red carpet in 11 years and a six‑year gap in on‑screen work.
Porsche’s Sonderwunsch division built three one-off 911s inspired by Toy Story characters Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear for a charity sale ahead of Toy Story 5: Woody’s Carrera T with denim-textured blue paint and Woody-inspired interior; Jessie’s Targa 4 GTS in white metallic with denim-style interior and “Yee Haw!” door sills; Buzz Lightyear’s 911 GT3 RS with Weissach, space-suit-inspired green/purple accents, and “To Infinity and Beyond” door sills. All feature hundreds of hours of hand-painting and bespoke details, and proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the American Red Cross, and Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Taylor Swift co-wrote and produced the Toy Story 5 song “I Knew It, I Knew You” with Jack Antonoff, a Jessie-inspired track that nods to her country roots. She recorded three versions, with acoustic and piano editions sold on CD through her website, and thanked Andrew Stanton and Randy Newman for helping shape the Toy Story musical world. Toy Story 5 hits theaters June 19, the same day as Swift’s 12th album The Life of a Showgirl (2025); the release also marks the 20th anniversary of her debut single “Tim McGraw.”
Disney, Atari, and Digital Eclipse announce Toy Story: Retro Roundup, a remastered collection of 11 classic Toy Story and A Bug’s Life games, plus Toy Story 3: Complete Edition. The package arrives October 15 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, Switch 2, and PC, featuring improved rendering, rewind, cheats, and behind‑the‑scenes content. A $40 bundle is available on most platforms (Switch physical at $50) with no physical Xbox release, and Toy Story 3: Complete Edition adds co‑op and sandbox modes, cosmetics, Zurg in Toy Box Mode, and 4K/60FPS on supported systems.
Two Toy Story titles are coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch on October 15, 2026: Toy Story: Retro Roundup, a definitive collection of classic games with modern features (rewind, save/load, Practice Mode, Rex’s Cheat Codes, archival content, and optional PS1-era visuals), and Toy Story 3 Complete Edition, a remaster of the 2010 game with up to 4K/60fps, expanded Toy Box Mode, and local co-op; physical edition includes both games for $40, digital $25, and the Switch 2 version packs all content on the cartridge.
Colin Hanks recalls a family dinner with the Candys during the release of Splash, highlighting Tom Hanks' early hero traits akin to Woody from Toy Story, and reflects on John Candy's legacy and personal struggles, as explored in the documentary 'John Candy: I Like Me'.
Toy Story, released in 1995, revolutionized animation and launched Pixar into a major studio, becoming a beloved franchise with a lasting cultural impact, celebrated with a special 30th anniversary re-release.
Disney announces release dates for upcoming major films including "The Mandalorian & Grogu," "Toy Story 5," and "Tron: Ares," with "The Mandalorian & Grogu" set for May 22, 2026, "Toy Story 5" for June 19, 2026, and "Tron: Ares" for October 10, 2025. The release of "Moana" and "The Amateur" have been delayed, and new "Star Wars" films directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and James Mangold are in the works for 2026 and 2027. Additionally, little is known about "Toy Story 5," while "Tron: Ares" is directed by Joachim Rønning and stars Jared Leto. More updates are expected at CinemaCon next week.
San Francisco's oldest toy store, Jeffrey's Toys, which inspired the Toy Story franchise, is closing at the end of February due to the city's crime and violence, inflation, and the decline in consumer spending. The store, open for 86 years, has struggled in the downtown environment, leading to its closure despite efforts to keep it going. The family behind the store is saddened by the decision, and the closure adds to a list of retailers shutting down in San Francisco in recent years.