Toy Story fans aren’t the only ones weighing in on the casting of the new Disney/Pixar film, Lightyear. In fact, Tom Hanks, Woody himself, is also confused as to why Tim Allen, who voiced Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise, wasn’t in the film.
In an interview with CinemaBlend for its ReelBlend podcast, Hanks was asked about his thoughts on his new movie, Elvis, and having a new film in theaters at the same time as Lightyear, which starred Chris Evans as the titular role.
The Forrest Gump star responded that he didn’t understand why Allen wasn’t cast in the new film.
“How about that?” Hanks said. “I wanted to go head-to-head with Tim Allen, and they [Disney/Pixar] didn’t let Tim Allen do it. I don’t understand that.”
Hanks then continued that he was actually looking forward to seeing a movie that starred Allen.
“Here’s the thing: I want to go back to the theater with a bunch of strangers and leave with something in common,” he said. “That’s what I want to do, and [I’m] going to see a movie with [Allen]. I’m looking forward to that.”
Allen had originally voiced Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise, alongside Hanks who played Woody. But in this new film, Evans lent his voice as the titular character.
Hanks isn’t the only one who spoke his mind about the casting of the film. In June, American actress Patricia Heaton tweeted that not casting Allen as Buzz Lightyear was “a huge mistake.”
Recently, Allen also spoke with Extra about him not being in Lightyear, saying: “It just doesn’t seem to have any connection to the toy.”
As per The Illuminerdi, Galyn Susman, Lightyear producer, explained that the reason they didn’t cast Allen in the new film was because they “weren’t making a Toy Story movie.”
“We’re making Buzz Lightyear’s movie, the Lightyear movie,” she said. “And so first and foremost, we just needed to have a different person playing that Lightyear, separate from the toy.”
Evans also explained in 2020 that the film isn’t about Buzz Lightyear the toy.
The Captain America star tweeted: “And just to be clear, this isn’t Buzz Lightyear the toy. This is the origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear that the toy is based on.”
And just to be clear, this isn’t Buzz Lightyear the toy. This is the origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear that the toy is based on
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) December 11, 2020
Lightyear tells the journey of space ranger Buzz, who embarks on an intergalactic adventure as he tries to find his way back home to Earth. This spin-off film serves as the origin story of the toy Buzz Lightyear that’s seen in the Toy Story franchise.
Lightyear is now showing in theaters.
Other POP! stories you might like:
‘Lightyear’ to restore cut controversial kiss after recent Disney issue
‘Lightyear’ official trailer released, film set to ‘take off’ this June
