Mumbai

Hollywood veteran Tom Hanks enthusiastically embraced a fresh creative direction for Woody in Toy Story 5, even improvising several humorous moments that highlighted the beloved cowboy doll’s advancing age, according to writer and co-director Kenna Harris.

The latest chapter in the iconic franchise sees Woody portrayed as an older character, a concept that Harris said Hanks immediately connected with during recording sessions.

Recalling her first experience working with the Oscar-winning actor, Harris described the transformation from Tom Hanks the person to Woody the character as remarkable.

“He would be chatting casually with us one moment, and the instant recording began, he became Woody. It was incredible to witness,” she said in an interview.

According to Harris, Hanks particularly enjoyed the idea of reflecting Woody’s age through small but meaningful details. The actor reportedly improvised several lines, including moments where Woody complains about physical aches after jumping or struggling with certain movements.

Harris said Hanks also appreciated visual touches added to the character, including a small bald spot, and fully embraced the comedic possibilities of an ageing toy.

The fifth instalment of the long-running franchise arrives more than three decades after the release of Toy Story, which introduced audiences to Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Subsequent films followed in 1999, 2010 and 2019, with Hanks voicing Woody throughout the series.

Directed by Andrew Stanton, who previously worked on all four earlier films and directed Finding Dory, the new movie explores a modern dilemma: children’s growing dependence on digital devices.

Harris said the creative team wanted to examine technology’s role in children's lives without portraying it as inherently harmful.

She explained that early discussions often leaned towards presenting technology as the villain and traditional toys as heroes. However, the filmmakers consciously worked towards a more balanced perspective that reflected real-life complexities.

The story introduces new technology-based characters — Smarty Pants, Atlas and Snappy — who help challenge the assumptions of Jessie, whose experiences initially make her distrustful of modern gadgets.

Another new character, Lily Pad, was designed as a nurturing and supportive figure rather than an antagonist, Harris added.

The co-director, who previously worked as a story artist on films such as Raya and the Last Dragon and Luca, admitted that joining such a beloved franchise initially felt intimidating.

However, she said the challenge soon gave way to excitement as the team focused on creating emotionally engaging and entertaining characters.

Alongside Hanks, the voice cast includes Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, Greta Lee, Conan O'Brien, Craig Robinson and others.

Harris noted that creating stories for children remains increasingly challenging in a world crowded with content and distractions.

“The biggest challenge is finding ways to truly capture children’s attention,” she said, adding that storytelling must continue evolving alongside the changing habits of young audiences.

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Produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Disney, Toy Story 5 is scheduled for release in the United States and India on June 19 in English and Hindi versions.