‘Toy Story’ Stars Discuss Live-Action Remake, Franchise Could Be Doomed To Face Similar Fate as ‘Snow White’

Toy Story 5 (2026) will be arriving in theaters on June 19. The fifth film in the long-running series, which launched in 1995, sees the return of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Mr. Potato Head, Rex, Slinky, and the rest of the gang, this time as they face the threat of rising technology.

“The toys are back in Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, and this time it’s Toy meets Tech,” Pixar’s official description for the upcoming film states. “Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to what kids are obsessed with today….electronics!”

Watch the latest trailer for the film below:

Related: Disney Confirms Woody and Buzz Replacement as Pixar Reveals ‘Toy Story’ Shift

How Toy Story Has Evolved Beyond the Films

While fans were convinced the series had ended with Toy Story 3 (2010), which offers a wholesome and satisfying conclusion to the characters’ journeys, it returned in 2019 with Toy Story 4, which continued the adventures of Woody and the gang, this time with Bonnie as their owner. Toy Story 5 will expand upon this new era, this time with our favorite toys facing the rising threat of technology.

During its 31-year run, the franchise has evolved into other media, through video games, Pixar shorts, and experiences at Disney Parks. However, most fans tend to forget that Toy Story also attempted to branch out into spinoffs with 2022’s Lightyear, which centered on the idea of a “real-life” human version of Buzz, voiced by Chris Evans.

Unfortunately, despite receiving generally positive reviews from critics, the film was considered a box-office failure, after grossing $226.4 million worldwide against its $200 million budget.

Will Toy Story Get the Live-Action Treatment?

While it’s unlikely Toy Story will ever attempt something similar again, the jury’s still out as to whether the franchise will experiment with live action, which is something Disney has heavily leaned into, especially in recent years with the likes of Beauty and the Beast (2017) and The Lion King (2019), which earned $1.266 billion and $1.662 billion at the global box office, respectively.

Now, during the press tour for Toy Story 5, actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, who of course voice Woody and Buzz in the films, were asked about the idea of Disney adapting the original film into live action. In an interview with Jake’s Takes, the actors stressed that “it cannot be done.”

Allen, who did not return for Lightyear, explained how the 2022 spinoff movie failed to translate Buzz into a more human-looking character, saying, “They did that version [of] Lightyear where it looked like a human form, but it just didn’t translate well,” adding. “He’d have to get out of the suit, and he’s got clothes on and Buzz’s hair. I don’t know how you’d ever do that.”

Hanks questioned whether animatronics could help bring Woody and the gang to life in a live-action film as opposed to CG, before concluding, “It’s a conundrum. It cannot be done.”

It’s reasonable to say that Toy Story might be the one franchise that’s unlikely to work in live action, largely because the characters are toys. So perhaps this is one IP that’s best left alone, especially when you consider the fact that there have been plenty of live-action Disney remakes in recent years that have either underperformed commercially or failed to resonate with audiences, or both, with Snow White (2025), starring Rachel Zegler, being the most recent example.

The film underperformed with $205.7 million globally and was also met with mixed reviews.

Other Failed Disney Live-Action Remakes

There have been other live-action flops, including Mulan (2020), which grossed only $69.9 million worldwide. But there are other exceptions, such as Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), which scored $723 million, and most recently, Lilo & Stitch(2025), which took a $1.038 billion bite out of the global box office.

The next film on Disney’s live-action remake slate is Moana (2026), which is reportedly suffering from low presale ticket sales.

You can watch the full Jake’s Takes interview with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen below:

Toy Story 5 stars Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, Tony Hale as Forky, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, Jeff Bergman as Mr. Potato Head, Anna Vocino as Mrs. Potato Head, Annie Potts as Bo Peep, Ernie Hudson as Combat Carl, Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom, and Greta Lee as Lilypad “Lily”.

The film opens only in theaters on June 19, 2026.

Are you excited about the new film? Do you think a live-action Toy Story movie could work? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!