Tom Hanks reveals he got very emotional while recording the ending for Toy Story 4. Pixar's flagship property will be returning to theaters next summer, nine years after Toy Story 3 seemingly capped off the series. Given how the third film concluded, fans were surprised when the studio announced they were working on a fourth installment, which has gone through several ups and downs in development. Pixar apparently tossed out most of the original script, delaying the project as the team looks to get it right.
Pixar is renowned for their ability to pack poignant punches with their films, whether it's the first five minutes of Up or Andy saying goodbye to the toys in Toy Story 3. As such, many are curious to see what director Josh Cooley and writer Stephanie Folsom came up with. The finale of 3 is considered to be the perfect end for the franchise, so there's a substantial risk in going back to this well. But if the latest comments from Hanks are any indication, Pixar's outdone themselves once again.
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While on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Hanks discussed his last day recording Woody's vocal parts and his reaction when the meaning of the story finally sunk in:
The way you record Toy Story, you're in a room with the team that has created it. When I went in for my last day of recording, I wanted to have my back to them, because usually you're facing him so you can look right up and you can talk about it. But I didn't want to see them and I wanted to pretend they couldn't see me. When I realized what they were going for, I realized, 'Oh, this is a moment in history.'
It sounds as if Toy Story 4 will be another Pixar film that will tug at the heartstrings. Earlier this year, Tim Allen had similar thoughts, stating he had a hard time recording certain scenes at the end. While it wouldn't be surprising if audiences needed to bring tissues to a Toy Story movie, there could be something else at play here. Hanks and Allen have been playing their characters since the 1990s, going through an incredible journey with them in the process. Conceivably, this could be the last Toy Story entry and the seasoned actors found it difficult to bid farewell to old friends (again). Of course, there could very well be a Toy Story 5 at some point, but Pixar reportedly is shifting their focus to original programming after delivering numerous sequels the past few years.
When Toy Story 4 was first announced, it was pitched as a love story where Woody and Buzz Lightyear went on a quest to find Bo Peep (who was given away in a yard sale between the second and third films). A lot has changed behind-the-scenes on the project since that time, so it's possible the narrative has been altered somewhat. That being said, Bo Peep actress Annie Potts confirmed over the summer she has a significant part and recorded lines with Hanks, so the porcelain figurine should factor into the narrative. It'll be interesting to see how it all goes down, and hopefully there's at least a teaser by year's end.
More: Every Toy Story 4 Update You Need To Know
Source: The Chris Evans Breakfast Show
