AceShowbiz - Toy Story 5 is set to continue the beloved Pixar franchise with exciting new footage showcasing the return of fan-favorite characters, including the stuntman toy Duke Caboom, voiced by Keanu Reeves. Despite earlier beliefs that the story concluded with the third and fourth films, which together have grossed over $3.3 billion globally, Disney is pushing forward with this fifth installment, promising to bring back many familiar faces such as Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear.

At CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas, where the press had exclusive access, Disney premiered new scenes from Toy Story 5. The footage centers on Bonnie, the young owner of the toys, who receives a new tablet device called a Lilypad. This advanced technology quickly becomes a source of tension between Bonnie’s traditional toys and the digital world. The toys observe anxiously as Bonnie becomes captivated by the device, highlighting an important theme of the film: the challenge toys face in a world increasingly dominated by screens.

The preview begins with Bonnie opening a box containing the Lilypad. Upon powering it on, an AI named Lily introduces herself and quickly begins interacting with Bonnie. The girl becomes engrossed in the tablet, playing with it late into the night and the following morning, much to the dismay of her toys. Jessie, the cowgirl doll, takes it upon herself to confront Lily. The AI, speaking in English, Spanish, and even a rap, claims she is always listening and wants what is best for Bonnie. The interaction becomes tense as Lily calls Jessie "old" and playfully insults her, while Jessie tries to assert control.

As Bonnie uses the tablet to connect with other kids, accepting invitations like a sleepover, the toys realize that their place in Bonnie’s life is under threat. Rex dramatically states, "Extinction, not again!" signaling the existential danger the toys face. Woody, shown wearing a poncho with a shiny bald spot, arrives after receiving a call for help from Jessie. A playful and humorous dispute arises between Woody and Buzz over who is the real deputy, underscoring the camaraderie and humor that fans love.

The footage also spotlights Duke Caboom, the Canadian stuntman toy first introduced in Toy Story 4 (2019). Known for his white suit, horseshoe mustache, and motorcycle, Duke is a charismatic character with a confident exterior that masks his insecurities. He struggles with feelings of failure, believing he let down his former owner, Rejean, by not living up to his daring stuntman persona. Duke’s character is widely understood as a playful parody of the legendary stunt performer Evel Knievel, a connection that famously resulted in a dismissed lawsuit from Knievel’s estate.

Though the CinemaCon footage is not publicly available, Pixar had already released the first official trailer for Toy Story 5 in February 2026. That trailer introduced the Lilypad conflict and showed Woody, Buzz, and Jessie embarking on a frantic rescue mission, setting the tone for the movie’s exploration of the tension between traditional toys and modern technology.

Director Andrew Stanton explained that Toy Story 5 tackles a "realization of an existential problem: that nobody’s really playing with toys anymore." The film aims to address the shifting landscape of childhood play, where touchscreen devices increasingly replace the imaginative use of physical toys. This theme is at the heart of the story, as the toys must come to terms with their evolving role in children’s lives.

Alongside the returning cast, the film features Joan Cusack reprising her role as Jessie, Tony Hale as Forky, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, Annie Potts as Bo Peep, Bonnie Hunt as Dolly, Melissa Villaseñor as Karen Beverly, and Kristen Schaal as Trixie. New characters include Greta Lee as the voice of Lilypad, Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, Craig Robinson as Atlas—the upbeat GPS hippo toy, Shelby Rabara as Snappy, a camera toy, Mykal-Michelle Harris as Blaze, an independent 8-year-old animal lover, and Matty Matheson as Dr. Nutcase, a peanut toy who ironically fears technology.

There are also notable casting updates, with Jeff Bergman replacing the late Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, Anna Vocino stepping in for Estelle Harris as Mrs. Potato Head, Scarlett Spears voicing Bonnie, John Hopkins replacing Timothy Dalton and Robin Atkin Downes as Mr. Pricklepants, and Ernie Hudson taking over the role of Combat Carl from Carl Weathers.

Toy Story 5 is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 19, 2026. The film promises to blend humor, heart, and a poignant commentary on growing up in a digital age, while reuniting audiences with the beloved characters that have defined Pixar’s iconic franchise.