Tom Hanks admits AI could recreate Woody's voice for 'Toy Story 6': 'That's a scary thought'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Tom Hanks has acknowledged that artificial intelligence could one day recreate Woody’s iconic voice without his direct involvement, raising questions about the future of the 'Toy Story' franchise.
As 'Toy Story 5' enjoys a franchise-record $312 million worldwide opening and fuels speculation about a potential sixth installment, Hanks noted that decades of his recorded dialogue remain preserved in digital archives, making it possible for AI technology to use it in future projects.
Tom Hanks warns about AI-generated performances
Hanks and longtime co-star Tim Allen, who voices Buzz Lightyear, agreed that the prospect of AI-generated performances is a concerning one.
Hanks previously discussed the broader implications of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology during an appearance on 'The Adam Buxton Podcast' in 2023, describing it as “a scary thought.”
Reflecting on technological developments in filmmaking, he recalled working on filmmaker Robert Zemeckis’ 2004 film 'The Polar Express,' which utilized extensive digital modeling of actors. He said the production demonstrated early signs of how technology could eventually recreate performers on screen.
“The first time we did a movie that had a huge amount of our own data locked in a computer, literally what we looked like, was a movie called ‘The Polar Express,’” he said.
According to Hanks, advancements in AI and deepfake technology have progressed to the point where actors can be digitally recreated at virtually any age, allowing him to theoretically appear as a 32-year-old version of himself in future projects.
“I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that’s it, but performances can go on and on and on and on,” Hanks said, adding, “Outside the understanding of AI and deepfake, there’ll be nothing to tell you that it’s not me and me alone. And it’s going to have some degree of lifelike quality. That’s certainly an artistic challenge but it’s also a legal one.”
Tom Hanks sets conditions for 'Toy Story 6'
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Tom Hanks continued sharing his thoughts on the possibility of returning for a potential 'Toy Story 6.' While acknowledging the franchise’s commercial success, he stressed that another film should only move forward if it offers a "compelling story" and "explores fresh ideas."
“If you're gonna do another ‘Toy Story,’ it better be worthwhile,” he said, adding, “It better be great. You better be examining some theme that is not just dragging it out because people like the title.”
He also recognized the enormous business value of the franchise but maintained that commercial considerations alone should not justify another sequel.
According to Hanks, a new installment would need to feel original and meaningful rather than relying solely on the strength of the 'Toy Story' brand.
“I mean, it is a huge corporate business without a doubt, I'm not gonna discount that,” he said, adding, “But unless it's good, new, fresh, there's no reason to do it at all.”
Despite his long association with the character, he suggested that Disney may not necessarily need his active involvement if it decides to continue the series.
He said, “Time is undefeated, the question would be whether or not we could cobble together some version of me. Every word we have ever recorded in time in ‘Toy Story’ is on digital media somewhere, so they could put together anything they would want.”
