Conan O’Brien is officially entering the toy box. The veteran comedian and late-night icon is lending his voice to Toy Story 5, joining the beloved Pixar franchise ahead of its summer 2026 release. While details about his character remain under wraps, O’Brien made the announcement in his usual fashion — with a blend of mischief, self-deprecation, and sharp comic timing.
Posting a video to Instagram, O’Brien joked that he initially lobbied for the role of Woody, only to be reminded that Tom Hanks wasn’t going anywhere. Not one to back down, he then pitched himself for Buzz Lightyear — with similar results. "And I went, 'Guys, you gotta think outside the box,'" he quipped.
Eventually, he was introduced to a new character that he claims to love more than the classics: "I far prefer this character. I don’t even wanna play Woody or Buzz anymore, even if they beg me."
Directed by Andrew Stanton (WALL·E, Finding Nemo) and co-directed by McKenna Harris, Toy Story 5 will see the gang face a thoroughly modern dilemma — the rise of electronics. As children drift toward screen-based entertainment, Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest must find their place in a tech-obsessed world. Returning cast members include Joan Cusack as Jessie, while newcomers Anna Faris and Ernie Hudson also join the lineup.
O’Brien’s addition comes amid a busy year for the comedian. Fresh off hosting the Oscars to wide acclaim, he continues his travel series Conan O’Brien Must Go for HBO Max and is set to appear in the indie comedy If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, a Sundance standout. Whether in live-action or animation, it seems O’Brien has no intention of staying on the shelf.
