Los Angeles: Disney and Pixar have announced that Conan O’Brien will join the voice cast of the upcoming animated film Toy Story 5 as a new character named Smarty Pants.
The announcement was made Monday during Disney’s Licensing Expo presentation, with O’Brien confirming the news on Instagram, humorously claiming his role is “the best character of them all.” Directed by Andrew Stanton alongside co-director McKenna Harris and produced by Jessica Choi, Toy Story 5 is scheduled for release on June 19, 2026.
While plot details remain under wraps, the film will explore how the iconic toys adapt to today’s children’s fascination with electronics. The returning voice cast includes Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, with Ernie Hudson stepping in as Combat Carl following the passing of Carl Weathers.
The Toy Story franchise began in 1995 and has become a beloved cultural phenomenon, with Toy Story 4 earning over $1 billion globally and winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2019.
Disney CEO Bob Iger first announced Toy Story 5 in early 2023 after the lukewarm reception of the franchise spinoff Lightyear. Tim Allen has hinted the new film features a “very, very, very clever story,” emphasizing the high quality of the script.
Pixar continues its strong run after the blockbuster success of Inside Out 2 in 2024, with another space-themed film, Elio, set for release on June 20, 2026. Fans eagerly await the next chapter in this beloved series, now boosted by Conan O’Brien’s fresh comedic presence.
