Tom Hanks has voiced the beloved cowboy Woody for over three decades. Now, he is confronting an unsettling possibility: Disney might not need him to continue the role.

The two-time Oscar winner recently addressed the future of the Toy Story franchise. He spoke following the record-breaking $312 million worldwide opening of Toy Story 5. While fans are already anticipating a sixth installment, Hanks is questioning whether he will return.

He revealed that Disney possesses a vast archive of his recorded dialogue. Every word he has ever spoken as Woody exists on digital media. This has led to what he describes as a "scary thought." The studio could potentially use artificial intelligence to create new performances from this existing audio data.

Hanks stated that he would only return for a sixth film if the project has a genuinely worthwhile purpose. He stressed that any sequel must explore a great, fresh, and new theme. He acknowledged that the franchise is a massive corporate business. However, he argued that there is no reason to continue without exceptional material.

The actor remains acutely aware that the decision to continue may bypass his creative consent. He raised a direct question about the capabilities of modern technology. He wondered if a digital version of himself could simply be constructed from Disney's archives.

This concern about AI and deepfake technology is not new for Hanks. He previously reflected on its implications during a podcast interview in 2023. He noted that actors' careers can now theoretically continue long after their passing. He traced his first encounter with this concept back to the 2004 film The Polar Express.

He recalled that the team behind that film foresaw the ability to transform computer code into realistic characters. He noted that this technology has expanded dramatically since then. He warned that anyone can now replicate themselves at any age. He suggested that even if he were hit by a bus tomorrow, his performances could go on indefinitely.

He concluded that there will eventually be nothing to tell audiences that it is not him on screen. He views this as an undeniable lifelike achievement. Yet, he maintains that it poses both a legal and artistic challenge to the entertainment industry. The conversation continues as Toy Story 5 enjoys its record-breaking run in theaters nationwide.