TheToy Storyfranchise continues to expand itself with the recent release ofLightyear, which is a spinoff film based solely around the character Buzz Lightyear, the space action figure. Now, Tom Hanks has shared his thoughts on the decision to exclude Tim Allen from the film.
InPixar’sLightyear, the space ranger was voiced by none other thanMarvel veteran Chris Evansinstead of Allen, who previously voiced the character in the franchise, and it’s sparking some debate. The conversations swirling about the choice to replace Allen with Evans has brewed controversy among die-hard fans of the franchise, and others who just simply believe that the studio should stick with what works.
RELATED:Lightyear Producer Explains Why Chris Evans Replaced Tim Allen As Buzz
All this talk has prompted Tom Hanks, who voiced Woody intheToy Storyfranchise, to finally weigh in on the matter. In an interview with Cinema Blend to promote his latest filmElvis, Hanks addressed theLightyearcasting change. When asked how it felt to go head-to-head at the box office withLightyear, which hit theaters on June 17th, Hanks responded, telling Cinema Blend, “Actually, I wanted to go head-to-head with Tim Allen, and then they didn’t let Tim Allen do it. I don’t understand that.” After the interviewer made nods to Evans being a big name in the industry, Hanks said, “Yeah, yeah I know.” He then went on to add, “But here’s the thing: Just as long as people come back to the motion picture theater. I want to go back into the theater with a bunch of strangers and leave with something in common. That’s what I want to do.”
Allen also discussedLightyearin an interview with Extra last week, telling Extra that none of the key creatives onLightyearwere attached to any ofthe pastToyStoryfilms. He also told Extra that there’s noToy Story’s Buzz without his best pal Woody by his side, as fans have always seen in the past. He then went on to give his full thoughts on the new spinoff film, saying he wished Evans' Buzz reflected the toy version better, saying, “I wish there was a better connection.”
It’s clear that Hanks and Allen have strong feelings about the creative choices made in Disney’s newest animated featureLightyear, and it makes sense. The devotion both he and Hanks gave to the characters for decades was beloved by fans, and Allen’s passion reflects the emotions that can arise when you attempt to fix something that wasn’t really broken in the first place. WithLightyearonly raking in 50.6 million at the box officeduring its opening weekend, it’s hard to say if there will be a future for Evans' rendition of the character moving forward.
Lightyearis now playing in theaters.
MORE:Lightyear Is Just Building On An Element Of Toy Story 2
