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New voices join a beloved franchise
Disney and Pixar have quietly rolled out a major change to the Toy Story cast with the release of the Toy Story 5 trailer: Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head will be voiced by new actors. The announcement arrives amid other casting additions that promise fresh energy while the franchise leans on the warmth and familiarity that made the originals timeless.
Who’s stepping in — and why it matters
Jeff Bergman, a veteran voice actor known for his work on several Looney Tunes characters, will take on Mr. Potato Head. Ana Vesino (credited for roles such as in Batman: The Killing Joke) is the new voice of Mrs. Potato Head. These recasts follow the deaths of long-time contributors: Don Rickles, who originally voiced Mr. Potato Head, passed in 2017, and Stella Harris, who voiced Mrs. Potato Head from Toy Story 2 onward, died in 2022. Pixar previously honored Rickles by using archived recordings for Toy Story 4, so the shift to new voice actors marks a more permanent transition for the series.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, anchoring the sequel in familiar territory. New additions to the ensemble include Greta Lee (LilyPad), Conan O’Brien (Smart Pants), Craig Robinson (Atlas), Shelby Rabara (Snappy), Michael Michele Harris (Blaze), and Matti Mattson (Dr. Nutcase). Bonnie — earlier voiced by Emily Hahn and Madeline Grace McGraw — will now be heard via Scarlett Spears.
Plot notes, themes, and industry context
Toy Story 5 continues the story thread left by Toy Story 4: Woody chose a new life with Bo Peep as a “lost toy” guiding other toys to new owners, leaving Jessie as the sheriff of Bonnie’s room. The new film centers on a menacing tablet called LilyPad — a neat commentary on technology’s place in kids’ playrooms and a timely reflection of how digital devices compete with physical toys.
Recasting legacy characters is a sensitive but growing trend in animation as studios balance respect for original performers with the practical need to move stories forward. Fans reacted to the trailer with both nostalgia and curiosity: many expressed gratitude for the original actors while welcoming fresh interpretations.
Trivia: Pixar’s use of archived voice recordings for Toy Story 4 is often cited as a compassionate way to preserve a beloved actor’s presence. Toy Story 5, set for release on June 19, 2026 (29 Khordad 1405 in the Persian calendar), instead ushers in a new vocal era for some of Woody’s most comedic sidekicks.
The mix of returning stars and fresh talent suggests Toy Story 5 aims to honor its past while exploring new storytelling terrain — and the new Potato Heads may well become fan favorites in their own right.
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