Tom Hanks and Tim Allen openly discuss the possibility of a live-action version of Toy Story.
Since its debut in 1995, the original animated Toy Story movie has become a cornerstone of Pixar’s success stories, sparking a series that includes four major films to date, with Toy Story 5 set to premiere in just a few weeks. Given the franchise’s iconic status, there’s been speculation about the creation of a live-action adaptation, a trend that has been quite profitable for Disney in recent years.
In an engaging session with Jake’s Takes, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, the voices behind Woody and Buzz Lightyear, shared their thoughts on transforming Toy Story into a live-action film. “How would you even achieve that?” questioned Allen, a sentiment echoed by Hanks. Allen deliberated on the concept, referring to the 2022 movie Lightyear as an example of the challenges in adapting Toy Story‘s animated characters into a more realistic human form:
“Lightyear attempted to present Buzz in a human-like appearance, but it didn’t quite resonate. Imagine him stepping out of his suit, wearing regular clothes and having actual hair. I can’t see how it would work.”
Hanks also expressed doubts about the feasibility of a live-action Toy Story, questioning, “Would it involve animatronics? It’s hard to see how.” He concluded more definitively, “It’s a puzzle. It just can’t be done.“
Disney, the parent company of Pixar, has been consistently rolling out live-action remakes of its animated classics. Recent releases include adaptations of Snow White and Lilo & Stitch, following other major films like Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), The Little Mermaid (2023), and Peter Pan & Wendy (2023). Hanks himself starred as Geppetto in the 2022 live-action version of Pinocchio, which was not well received.
Despite mixed critical reviews, Disney’s live-action remakes generally perform well at the box office, with the remake of Aladdin bringing in over $1 billion worldwide, and The Lion King remake leading with $1.66 billion. Lilo & Stitch also proved successful last year, grossing $1.038 billion.
It’s important to note that while Disney continues to explore its vast library of animated films for live-action remakes, no Pixar films have been remade in this style so far. Allen pointed out that Lightyear, which serves as an origin story for the character who inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy, is the closest attempt, and it did not meet box office expectations.
As Disney eventually exhausts its current lineup of animated classics, the enormously profitable Toy Story series, which has amassed over $3.3 billion in revenue, remains a tempting option for new projects. The upcoming Toy Story 5 is also anticipated to be a significant hit when it releases on June 19.
Should a live-action Toy Story film materialize, Hanks and Allen have already highlighted several concerns regarding its potential execution and design. While there are no concrete plans yet, it seems unlikely that the original voice actors would participate in such a project.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
