Tom Hanks And Tim Allen - You’ve Got Us Hooked For Life

It’s no secret that the two people behind the voices of two of the biggest stars of Toy Story 4 just also happen to be two of the biggest stars in real life as well. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, we’re all forever you’re biggest fans!

Two weeks ago while interviewing Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, it was almost nostalgia for me. Here were two iconic people for me who I had grown up watching on TV, and in movies.

I was invited to attend the Toy Story 4 press conference, however all opinions are my own.

Tim Allen – The Beginning

I started watching Tim Allen on Home Improvement, and if you loved the 90’s then you know that it was an amazing show. Based on the stand-up comedy of Tim Allen, Home Improvement made its debut on ABC on September 17, 1991, and was one of the highest-rated sitcoms for almost an entire decade. It went to No. 1 in the ratings during the 1993–1994 season, the same year Allen had the No. 1 book (Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man) and movie (The Santa Clause).

Mr. Allen later accepted to become Lightyeartyear in the Toy Story franchise. Thanks to him, the saying “To Infinity and Beyond” will always be something we will never forget.

Fun Fact about Buzz Lightyear? Buzz’s name was inspired by Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, the second person to walk on the Moon. According to Pixar producers, the character was provisionally named Lunar Larry, but it sounded “too wacky” so while trying to rechristen him “we went through some space terms and the word light-year came up, and the coolest astronaut name was Buzz Aldrin.” (Pixar)

Space Star, Buzz Lightyear

Tim Allen has been playing Buzz Lightyear for 24 years now, and I love how in-tune he is with the character. During one hilarious moment at the press conference when he was asked “Why, after 24 years did Buzz have the haircut he does?” to which Tim replied “He has [male] pattern baldness underneath there and that balaclava he wears is for fireproofing,” Allen said. “No, actually he has a beautiful head of hair underneath there. It’s rather curly and he’s got a man bun.”

I have to say I love that Tim Allen has not lost his sense of humor, and we can see that in Toy Story 4 as he is back in action with his co-star and partner in crime, Tom Hanks. In the Toy Story franchise, Woody and Buzz form an amazing friendship… one that has spanned over 24 years, and it is the same in real life between Mr. Allen and Mr. Hanks.

Tom Hanks – The Beginning

Tom Hanks is someone else that I have loved since the 80’s. (Seriously, I’m that old people!) I fell in love with Tom Hanks when he did “Big”. Can you blame me? That was when I thought I didn’t want to grow up anymore, lol!

Mr. Hanks landed the role to voice Sheriff Woody and nailed it.

Fun fact? Tom’s brother, Jim Hanks, voiced Woody in video games and shorts.

Woody, The Cowboy

“Woody is a passionate guy who throws himself into every action. As soon as he has an instinctive thought like “I have to help them,” or “I have to run away,” he does it with 100-percent commitment. gotta love that about anybody. What’s great is that I get credit for the way the character and the humor come off. I have kids that are now in college come up to me and say, “when you told that neighbor kid to play nice, that really meant a lot to me”.

— Tom Hanks

Final Thoughts about Tim Allen and Tom Hanks

One of the most touching moments during the press conference was when Tom Hanks gave his thoughts on this being the last Toy Story movie. “I didn’t want to have any self-consciousness for what I knew was going to be the… last few hours I was spending with the movie,” he recalled.

“When it came to pass, I felt as though I was on the other side of the river waving to everybody I had left back in the old country. It was pretty profound.” He added: “You drive into the lot, through the same gate, you park in the same spot they had for you, then you go through the same doors, get in your car and you drive back through.

You’ve Got A Friend In Me

Both Tim and Tom were both emotional about the film. So much in fact that they both spoke about it at the press conference. Tim mentioned that he had gotten emotional reading the script, and that he text Tom to let him know, and to prepare.

Tom confirmed saying “I had gotten some texts from Tim Allen… these texts that say, ‘Have you recorded yet? Have you been in? Have you had a session yet?’” “I said, ‘No, not yet,’” Hanks said, revealing that Allen told him, “‘Wait until you see those last pages. Tough one, tough one.’”

This last installment of the franchise was a tear jerker for me as well. I feel like I’ve been on this journey with those over the past 24 years and I’m so sad to see it coming to an end. One thing is for certain, Tim Allen and Tom Hanks – you’ve always got a friend in me.

Toy Story 4 hits theaters June 21st 2019!