Tom Hanks (62), was the voice of the cowboy, Woody in all Toy Story movies, from the beginning in 1995.
Toy Story heroes like Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), and Woody are heroes for all 90s kids and other kids around the world. They are childhood figures.
Oh, and just to calm you down – there are no Toy Story 4 spoilers on this post, so it’s safe to read if you haven’t seen it.
The Final Lines Were ‘Too Much’ For Tom Hanks
When recording the last scenes for Toy Story 4, Woody’s voice, Tom Hanks, used an unpopular method in voice-acting.
He turned his back.
In a press conference in Florida, the actor revealed he had to look at the wall while reading his final lines because he didn’t want to face anyone at the emotional moment.
What Caused Hanks To Turn His Back?
As Hanks himself says, the final scenes were truly emotional for him and he just had to be in a place without any distractions, that could’ve ruined the moment.
The New York Times asked the actor about, how he deals with the emotional scenes when recording in the booth with the script.
So, Hanks explained why he turned his back and how he deals with it.
Tom Hanks said it is all about imagination.
Because it isn’t possible to use anything more than your voice, and you can’t go off the mic, so you have to imagine the physicality to such extent, that it can be heard in your voice.
“Acting at its finest.”
In the case of Toy Story 4, looking at the wall and turning his back to the people and the stage, helped Tom Hanks use his imagination to deliver the last lines.
Also, the actor says, closing his eyes helped as well.
Tom Hanks is sure if he hadn’t turned his back and looked at the wall – his voice-acting for the final lines wouldn’t sound satisfying and emotional enough.
This Made It Even More Emotional…
The job was made even more difficult and emotional at the same time for Tom Hanks by one major factor.
Basically, the voice-acting of the final scene for Toy Story 4 was recorded in the same booth where Hanks had recorded the first Toy Story, back in the 90s.
Imagine all those memories, combined with the emotion from the current Toy Story.
Tom Hanks said the moment when he realized that he has recorded the last moment of Toy Story 4, it just can’t be expressed with words.
Can you imagine, going through the same doors, getting in your car like you’re used to, and then on your way back – you just realize that you’ve recorded the final scenes of Toy Story 4?
We can’t. So you should better go see the new movie and take some tissues with you because tears will be inevitable.
