Tom Hanks fears AI could keep Woody alive in ‘Toy Story’ long after he stops voicing him

Tom Hanks has opened up about the future of Woody and admitted that advances in artificial intelligence could allow Disney to continue using the beloved character even if he eventually steps away from the franchise.

The two time Academy Award winner is currently back as Woody in Toy Story 5, which has enjoyed a strong start at the global box office. With the series now more than three decades old, speculation has already begun about whether Pixar and Disney will eventually move ahead with Toy Story 6.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Hanks said another instalment would only be worthwhile if it offered something meaningful and fresh.

"If you're gonna do another Toy Story, it better be worthwhile. It better be great. You better be examining some theme that is not just dragging it out because people like the title," he said.

While discussing the future of the franchise, Hanks acknowledged that Disney possesses decades of recordings from his work as Woody. Because those performances exist in digital form, he believes AI technology could theoretically be used to assemble new dialogue without requiring him to record fresh material.

"Time is undefeated," Hanks said. "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."

His long time co star Tim Allen reportedly agreed with Hanks that such a possibility is unsettling. Hanks described the prospect as "a scary thought".

The actor has spoken previously about the implications of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. During an appearance on The Adam Buxton Podcast in 2023, Hanks recalled that The Polar Express introduced him to the idea that digital technology could preserve and recreate performers.

He explained that the technology has evolved dramatically since then and warned that audiences may eventually struggle to distinguish between genuine performances and AI generated recreations.

Hanks noted that actors can now potentially appear at any age through digital tools. He said performances could continue indefinitely, even after an actor's death, creating both artistic and legal questions for the entertainment industry.

The comments arrive as Hollywood continues to debate the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Concerns about consent, ownership and digital likeness rights have become major issues for actors and studios alike.

For now, Hanks is once again bringing Woody to life in Toy Story 5, which is currently playing in cinemas.