Pixar's decision to replace Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear is questioned by Tom Hanks

Tim Allen was not chosen to voice Buzz in Lightyear, according to Tom Hanks. Several people assumed Allen would voice the character when the film was announced. Chris Evans, however, will take on the role. Evans defended his choice of actor, explaining that the film did not portray the toy itself, but rather the real-life astronaut who inspired the toy within Pixar's universe. In the meantime, director Angus MacLane described the decision as "intentional". The Woody voice actor Hanks, who appears in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, was asked if it was strange to play opposite Buzz Lightyear, he replied: "How about that?". It was actually my desire to compete head-to-head with Tim Allen, but he was not permitted to do so.

There is something I do not understand about that." It was pointed out that Evans was playing the role. He responded, "I know, I know." As he continued, "Here is the thing: I would like to return to the theater with a bunch of strangers who share some common interest. That is what I would like to do, and I look forward to seeing a movie with Allen." Both Hanks and Allen have maintained a friendship since they voiced the characters in the initial Toy Story film in 1995. The series was followed by three sequels in 1999, 2010, and 2019.