Summary
WithPixarfinally revealing the first notable details aboutToy Story 5at D23, the iconic animation studio seems to be rectifying a huge error regarding the character originated by Tim Allen in 1995.Buzz Lightyear is one of the most recognizable animated characters of all time, and the fact he’s set to return in the upcoming fourth sequel is hardly surprising. However, theToy Story 5reveals at D23did far more than simply confirm Buzz would be coming back. The announcement strongly suggests Pixar is fixing a key regret with the character.
Allen has voiced Buzz in all fourToy Storymovies to date, makingToy Story 5his fourth in a row. However, Buzz has popped up in otherToy Storyprojects other than the film series. Pixar has produced many shorts and even a TV show that also features the Space Ranger. Allen has remained as the main Buzz Lightyear voice actor since his debut almost 30 years ago, but a recent spinoff movie dropped him from the cast - a move that Pixar seems to be apologizing for with his role among theToy Story 5cast.
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Tim Allen Will Presumably Be Voicing All 51 Buzz Lightyears In Toy Story 5
Toy Story 5’s director has announced 50 more Buzz Lightyears are on the way
Long-serving Pixar figure Andrew Stanton was confirmed to beToy Story 5’s writer and director at D23. During the reveal, he delivered the news that the movie will feature 50 commemorative Buzz Lightyear action figures - all stuck in “Toy Mode.” Seeing as Allen voices the franchise’s “main” Buzz Lightyear toy, it would make sense for him to also portray his 50 counterparts. With the actor being dropped as the voice of Buzz in 2022’sLightyearspinoff movie,it’s easy to interpret this scenario as Pixar apologizing to Allenby giving him such a vital role inToy Story 5.
Pixar has explored the idea of Buzz action figures being stuck in toy mode before.
Pixar has explored the idea of Buzz action figures being stuck in toy mode before. InToy Story 2, a second Buzz enters the fray - convinced he’s the “real” Buzz Lightyear. Similarly,Toy Story 4reverted Buzz to his original state from the first movie, before he realized he was made of plastic and circuitry. Neither instance presented a Buzz Lightyear as a true antagonist, but Stanton’s plan for the franchise’s next installment makesthe rogue Buzz toys sound like they will create huge problemsfor the other toys.
Toy Story 5is scheduled for a cinematic release on July 30, 2025.
Why Tim Allen Didn’t Voice Buzz In Lightyear
Chris Evans voiced the “original” Buzz in the spinoff
Lightyearis an incredibly meta prequel to theToy Storyfranchise. The opening text reveals it was the movie that Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear in the first place. While it’s confusingly set within the same canon as the other movies, Tim Allen was replaced by MCU star Chris Evans as the spinoff’s title character. The logic was thatAllen was just the voice of the Buzz toys, whereas Evans voiced the original character on which the action figures were based.
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Pixar’s Buzz Lightyear spinoff movie in 2022 was an interesting addition to the Toy Story universe, but Toy Story 4 offered a better alternative.
The casting move did help separateLightyearfrom the mainToy Storymovies, but it also made a premise that was already very confusing even more nonsensical.Lightyearmakes less sense when the mainToy Storymovies are examined, but it was a decision that Pixar ultimately thought would serve the project best. Thankfully, the recasting was only temporary, andPixarhas reinstalled Tim Allen in a big way forToy Story 5.
Toy Story 5
Cast
Toy Story 5 follows Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang as they confront a new challenge to playtime posed by advanced technology. Set to release in 2026, this installment continues the beloved Toy Story series with its familiar cast facing modern dilemmas.
