Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have spent nearly three decades bringing Woody and Buzz Lightyear to life in Pixar’s Toy Story franchise, but the pair say their on-screen partnership has also grown into a real-life friendship. Speaking during a recent SiriusXM Front Row event hosted by Julia Cunningham while promoting Toy Story 5, the actors reflected on how the bond between their characters helped build a lasting connection offscreen. Hanks said the importance of Woody and Buzz’s friendship in the story encouraged them to talk more often about life, work, and their careers.
Hanks said the two still get together for lunch about every three or four months, and fans often react when they see Woody and Buzz sharing a meal in public. He joked that people are so surprised to see them together that they sometimes approach them in disbelief. Allen responded with a lighthearted jab, joking that Hanks is much older in person, adding to the easy, playful chemistry that has helped define their decades-long collaboration.
Hanks also explained that the actors do not automatically agree to every new Toy Story movie simply because Pixar wants another installment. Instead, they said the studio has to present a strong enough reason to continue the franchise. Hanks said he and Allen talk by phone and meet to discuss what they are hearing before deciding whether a new film is worth making. According to Hanks, Pixar must prove that another Toy Story story has a real purpose and can stand alongside the earlier films.
That approach, he said, is part of why the series has remained meaningful for so long. The emotional core of Toy Story has always been the relationship between Woody and Buzz, and both actors believe that dynamic remains central to the franchise’s appeal. Allen agreed, noting that the friendship at the heart of the movies is what has always made them special and has given the series its lasting power with audiences across generations.
Toy Story 5 is scheduled to hit theaters on June 16, 2026. The new film continues one of Pixar’s most successful and recognizable franchises, which began with the original Toy Story in 1995. Over the years, Hanks and Allen have become closely associated with the characters they voice, and their continued involvement has helped keep the series connected to its roots.
The actors’ remarks highlight how a fictional friendship can evolve into a genuine relationship over time, while also showing the careful approach behind Pixar’s decision to keep the Toy Story franchise going. With Toy Story 5 approaching release, Hanks and Allen’s enduring partnership remains one of the most recognizable in animated film.
