Tom Hanks on AI Recreating Woody's Voice: A 'Scary Thought' for Toy Story's Future

Tom Hanks, the iconic voice behind Woody in Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story" franchise, has shared a "scary thought" about the future of his beloved character. With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, Hanks believes studios could potentially recreate his voice for future films, even without his active involvement.

Hanks, who reprises his role as Woody in the recently released "Toy Story 5," expressed his concerns to Entertainment Weekly. He noted that "every word we have ever recorded in time in Toy Story is on digital media somewhere, so they could put together anything they would want." His co-star, Tim Allen, who voices Buzz Lightyear, echoed these sentiments, also finding the prospect unsettling.

This discussion comes as "Toy Story 5" makes a massive splash at the box office. The film, which opened on June 19, shattered franchise records with an estimated $160 million in domestic ticket sales and a formidable $312 million worldwide total over its opening weekend. This success far surpasses the previous record set by "Toy Story 4" in 2019.

"Toy Story 5" introduces a new narrative where the toys confront a "Toy meets Tech" dilemma, as Bonnie becomes increasingly attached to a tablet-like device called Lilypad. The film's commercial triumph has already sparked speculation about a potential "Toy Story 6." However, Hanks emphasized that any future installment would need to be creatively justified, ensuring the 31-year-old franchise maintains its artistic integrity. The question of AI's role in extending the life of iconic characters like Woody looms large, presenting both exciting possibilities and ethical quandaries for the entertainment industry.

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