Tim Allen calls *Toy Story 5* «brilliant» and insists it’s not a cash grab, stating, «I don’t really believe it’s about the money.»
Tim Allen feels incredibly grateful to reprise his role as Buzz Lightyear for *Toy Story 5* and believes fans will be just as excited
In a recent interview with *Collider* about his new sitcom *Shifting Gears*, the 71-year-old actor reflected on returning to the iconic role for the upcoming film, slated for release in summer 2026.
“I just did the first five-hour session for Buzz, probably a week ago,» Allen shared. «It’s really, really weird to get back in it. I can’t tell you anything.”
The first *Toy Story* film debuted in 1995, introducing the adventures of toys when their owners aren’t around, with Buzz Lightyear quickly becoming a fan favorite alongside Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks.
Allen has voiced Buzz in all the main *Toy Story* films and specials, though Chris Evans took over in the 2022 *Lightyear* spin-off.
Despite the mixed reception of *Lightyear*, Allen is excited for *Toy Story 5*, calling the story «very clever» and emphasizing it’s not just about money. «They didn’t do it just for that reason,» he said, praising the script as the key reason for his return.
Allen revealed that getting back into Buzz Lightyear was tough at first, especially after the emotional ending of *Toy Story 4*, but he quickly found his rhythm.
He also shared how working on *Toy Story 4* deepened his friendship with Tom Hanks, making their iconic line “To infinity… and beyond” even more emotional.
With the third act of *Toy Story 5* nearly finished, Allen is excited about the film and promises fans a “really good story.” He’s looking forward to perfecting the final cut to keep Buzz’s magic alive for all audiences.
At Disney’s D23 Expo in August 2024, director Andrew Stanton revealed that in *Toy Story 5*, the toys face new challenges as they contend with kids’ growing obsession with electronics.
Concept art showed the toys—like Jessie and Rex—looking dejected as their owner became more absorbed in a tablet, suggesting an emotional yet humorous storyline. *Toy Story 5* is set for release on June 19, 2026, with all four previous films available to stream on Disney+.
