Conan O’Brien crashes the toy box; 'Toy Story 5' unlocks new character

Disney and Pixar have officially welcomed late-night legend and comedian Conan O’Brien to the voice cast of Toy Story 5, slated to hit theaters on June 19, 2026. Brace yourself as he’s voicing a brand-new character to the toy box collection: Smarty Pants.

 

The news broke at Disney’s Licensing Expo presentation on Monday. Additionally, O’Brien also took to Instagram, sharing his excitement. Despite his initial interest in Woody and Buzz, O’Brien is content with his choice. He remarked, “They showed me this new character, Smarty Pants. It's the best character of them all. I far prefer this character,”. He added, “I don't even wanna play Woody or Buzz anymore, even if they beg me. I'm Smarty Pants; I love this!”.

 

Toy Story 5 marks the next exciting chapter in the widely cherished franchise. Andrew Stanton, the two-time Oscar winner for WALL-E and Finding Nemo, is helming it, with McKenna Harris co-directing and Jessica Choi producing. 

 

Other newcomers in the voice cast, as previously announced, include Ernie Hudson, who takes over the late Carl Weathers’s role of action figure Combat Carl, and Anna Faris in an undisclosed part. Joan Cusack is expected to be among the other returning cast members, reprising her role as Jessie.

 

Although the details regarding Smarty Pants are kept a mystery for now, Toy Story 5 is expected to explore contemporary themes that mirror the current societal trends. The plot centers on the clash between classic toys and the digital age, as Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang find themselves challenged by a new wave of tech-savvy toys, reflecting the shift in children's interests toward electronics in the digital age.

 

So, get ready and mark your calendars as Toy Story is back with yet another ride packed with wit and sarcasm that will leave you on the floors laughing. With Conan on board, one thing’s for sure—this toy’s got jokes.

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