Tom Hanks makes rare AI comment regarding ‘Toy Story’ future: “Scary”
Tom Hanks has opened up about the potential future of the Toy Story amid a film landscape increasingly being taken over by AI.
Despite many believing that the Pixar series would be over after the release of Toy Story 4 in 2019, Woody, Buzz, and all the characters have just returned for the box office smash that is Toy Story 5.
Although the film carries a powerful message about the impact of technology in children’s lives, Hanks nevertheless still seemed unconvinced that the franchise would be able to continue in its authentic form.
Speaking in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hanks was quick to acknowledge the fact that a Toy Story 6 could easily be made using AI, and without any new material from him. “Time is undefeated,” he said. “The question would be whether or not we could cobble together some version of me.”
Noting how the groundbreaking technology used in the films is ultimately advantageous to this, the actor added: “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.”
Despite calling the prospect of AI “a scary thought”, Hanks struck a more optimistic note in that he felt any continuation of the beloved series would only be done under the right circumstances.
“If you’re gonna do another Toy Story, it better be worthwhile,” he told the publication. “It better be great. You better be examining some theme that is not just dragging it out because people like the title.”
With the latest film having scored the biggest opening weekend of the franchise’s history, taking in ticket sales of £227million globally, it could be a possibility. “I mean, it is a huge corporate business without a doubt, I’m not gonna discount that,” Hanks added. “But unless it’s good, new, fresh, there’s no reason to do it at all.”
Hanks’ criticism of AI comes as Disney was under fire last year for launching a billion dollar partnership with OpenAI. However, they shut down their AI model, Sora, suddenly in March, thus abruptly bringing the deal to an end.
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