Tim Allen Says Fifth ‘Toy Story’ Movie Isn’t ‘About the Money’
Tim Allen, the comedian who has pocketed more than $20 million for voicing Buzz Lightyear over the years, wants everyone to know he isn’t doing Toy Story 5 for the cash. And for that matter, neither is Pixar.
“I don’t really believe it’s about the money,” Allen told Collider. “I’m sure they want it to be a success, but that’s not why they did it.”
Maybe someone should tell Disney chief Bob Iger, who assured shareholders earlier this year that his company was leaning into projects like Toy Story 5 because, well, the money. “I’d say we’re leaning a little bit more into sequels and franchises,” Iger said on an earnings call last February. “I think given the environment and given what it takes to get people out of their homes to see a film … leaning on franchises that are familiar is actually a smart thing.”
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But forget Iger’s business strategy, explained Allen — it’s all about the story, not the stock price. “Had they not come up with a brilliant script, they wouldn’t have done it and they wouldn’t have called me and Tom (Hanks),” he insisted. “It’s really clever.”
“It’s really, really weird to get back in it. I can’t tell you anything,” Allen continued after a five-hour recording session for which he was paid millions. He’s only got a few more hours to go, considering he’s got about two-thirds of the script in the can. “I’m so blessed to be Buzz Lightyear, to be honest. It’s gonna be fun. I think we’re a year out. I’ve gotten up to the third act. We’ll do the third act. And then, we’ll go back and clean it. And then, I’ll do it about five more times. It’s a really good story, guys. It’s really good.”
Take Allen’s word for it, but Pixar keeps painting itself into a corner by coming up with amazing Toy Story scripts that appear to be the perfect ending for the franchise (Toy Story 2 and 3), only to pull Woody’s string once again when Iger needs an infusion of dough.
That’s the rationale for greenlighting movies like the upcoming Incredibles 3 — although I’m sure that script also has “a really good story, guys.” Between now and 2027, here are more movies that Disney/Pixar isn’t making for the money: Snow White (live-action, 2025), Tron: Ares (2025), Zootopia 2 (2025), Freakier Friday (2025), Lilo & Stitch (live-action, 2025), Moana (live-action, 2025) and Frozen 3 (2027). That’s not counting films in theaters now (Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King) and other remakes in development like live-action versions of Bambi and Hercules.
It’s great that Allen likes the script for Toy Story 5. But when it comes to cash-grab sequels, the Disney/Pixar philosophy is clear: “To infinity and beyond.”
