Tom Hanks has explained Woody’s bald spot in Toy Story 5, saying years of play and wear have naturally changed the character’s appearance. Hanks, who voices Woody, discussed the detail in an Entertainment Weekly interview published on Tuesday, April 28.
The 69-year-old actor said Woody’s rubber cowboy hat has rubbed repeatedly against his rubber head over the years, gradually creating a worn patch. He framed the detail as a realistic sign of age and long-term use, reflecting how a well-loved toy would naturally show wear over time.
Hanks also said Woody’s body has changed because Pixar designed the character with stuffing and cloth rather than hard, shaped plastic. According to Hanks, those softer materials settle with age, giving Woody a slightly altered appearance that matches the character’s long journey through the franchise.
A bald spot appeared in footage from the fifth Toy Story film when Woody removed his hat, allowing light from the worn patch on his head to reflect into the other toys’ eyes. The moment added a comic visual detail while also highlighting the character’s age and long history in the franchise. Andrew Stanton directs Toy Story 5, with Kenna Harris serving as co-director.
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The story follows the toys as they confront a new challenge: children’s growing attachment to electronic devices, which threatens to reshape the bond between toys and playtime. Toy Story 5” is scheduled to hit theatres on June 19, 2026.
