'There's really no Toy Story buzz without Woody': Tim Allen reacts to Chris Evans' Lightyear

Stepping into a role once defined by another is a daunting task, especially when it's a beloved character like Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear. Still, Chris Evans has proven himself ready for the challenge in the new spin-off, "Lightyear," drawing a reaction from the original voice behind Buzz, Tim Allen.

Allen candidly expressed his thoughts on the spin-off, stating to Extra, "The short answer is I've stayed out of this 'cause it has nothing to do [with my character]." He added, "This is a whole new team that really had nothing to do with the first movies."

Despite the separation from his iteration of Buzz, Allen shared his initial expectation of a "live action" Lightyear with "real humans." However, the film emerged as an animated prequel. Reflecting on the character dynamics in the original franchise, Allen revealed, "There's really no Toy Story Buzz without Woody." This nod to the memorable friendship between Buzz and Sheriff Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks, tugs at the heartstrings of any Toy Story fan.

Allen acknowledged the potential of the new film, "It has a wonderful story," but wished for a better connection to the toy universe he once inhabited.

Evans, best known as Captain America, couldn't contain his excitement about joining the Toy Story universe, comparing himself to a "kid in a candy store" in a behind-the-scenes featurette shared exclusively with PEOPLE. The actor praised the iconic status and variety of characters in Toy Story, saying, "They just offer something that's so relatable."

Sharing the concept behind "Lightyear," Evans noted, "This film is the origin story of Buzz Lightyear. It's the story that made Andy and his friends want to go buy a Buzz Lightyear toy." The Captain America alum's perspective adds a fresh layer to the familiar character, making "Lightyear" an intriguing prospect for Toy Story fans.

The film, directed by Angus MacLane, features a star-studded cast, including Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Keke Palmer, Efren Ramírez, Peter Sohn, Dale Soules, Taika Waititi, and Isiah Whitlock Jr., truly taking the Buzz Lightyear legacy to infinity and beyond.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)