Tom Hanks is a Gem | Toy Story 4 Press Conference Best Moments

At the Toy Story 4 Press Conference in Walt Disney World, we had the opportunity to interview Annie Potts, Tom Hanks, and Tony Hale, voices of Bo Peep, Woody, and Forky in Toy Story 4. Director Josh Cooley, Producers Jonas Rivera and Mark Nielsen were also in attendance and the magic and Toy Story 4 secrets shared were gold. Here are some of my favorite moments from the Toy Story 4 Press Conference.

Annie Potts, Tom Hanks, Tony Hale Interview for Toy Story 4

Photo Credit: John Parra/Disney

Best Moments of the Toy Story 4 Press Conference

When you have so much talent on one stage, it’s hard to choose your favorite moments. The chemistry, jokes, and stories were nonstop. I did learn when Tom Hanks speaks, you listen, because Tom Hanks is a gem, people. He’s just as emotional as the rest of us about Sheriff Woody and the Toy Story franchise.

If I had to pick top moments, it would be when Tom Hanks goes off script and Annie Potts throws him some shade (the best!), seeing Tom and Annie on stage together, and listening to Tom Hanks talk about his friendship with Tim Allen (my question) plus his memory about Fantasmic!

Are Tom Hanks and Tim Allen Best Friends?

In an earlier interview Tim Allen had mentioned he may be a little salty that Woody is the giant icon that welcomes everyone to Toy Story Land. You know the one.

So I brought that up and then asked Tom Hanks if they were still best friends?

TOM HANKS: “We actually have become very close simply because of the union of Woody and Buzz. After we made the second one, we began to have regular lunches about every three months or so in which he and I sit down. And alcohol is not involved. It’s just we sit down and we talk for about three and a half hours straight every time we get together. We do seek each other out in order to touch on all the aspects of our lives. But it would not have come out were it not for him being Buzz and me being Woody.”

When he spoke about Tim Allen, he had such a fondness and respect in his voice, that you knew everything he was saying was true. Even though they don’t record together, they have that bond that Buzz and Woody have, and I’m pretty sure we all let out a collective sigh. So of course, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are besties!

He had mentioned talking to Tim Allen on the phone previously, and you don’t pick up the phone for just anyone.

That Sweet Fantasmic Story That Made Me Teary

As a continuation of my question, Tom Hanks then shared a sweet story about a conversation with his daughter about the meaning of being Woody.

TOM HANKS: “Brief story. You’ve been at Disneyland, they have that [Fantasmic]. In Disneyland, the closing of the show is the Mark Twain steamboat comes by. And all of the Disney characters are dancing on that steamboat. Belle and Sleeping Beauty and Mickey, and everyone. They’re all there. Captain Hook. Peter Pan.

I was there with my family. My daughter who is in her 30s burst into tears. I said, “What’s wrong?” And she said, “Look dad. Look. Look at the end of the boat.” And it was Woody and Buzz.

She said, “Dad, you’ll always be on that boat dancing for the rest of time as long as Disneyland is there.” And that’s more than just a cool thing.”

Tom Hanks gets emotional telling about Woody on Fantasmic!

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Tom Hanks looked right at me as he was telling the story since I asked the question. I could feel my eyes brimming with tears, and I tried to choke them back. I had just been able to share some sweet moments with my family the night before when watching a screening of Toy Story 4.

My daughters were able to see mom in action a little bit, see a part of my job, and I know it meant a lot to them. Plus, they were able to share these experiences with their friends. Toy Story is part of our lives, part of our children’s lives, part of our parents’ lives who watched them with us. These stories connect us, and that’s more than just a cool thing.

When Tom Hanks Spills The Tea

Tom Hanks is Tom Hanks. He can do what we wants. But that look and shade that Annie Potts gave him was priceless. I. Was. Dying.

Tom is describing how he felt when recording the last moments of the current Toy Story and the routine he’s had for so long. Then he continues…

TOM HANKS: “We have these talking points that we’ve been given in regards to talking about whatever future may come to pass. If you’ll just give me a second, I’ll give you the official rendition of what I’m supposed to say in regards to possible other Toy Stories.”

ANNIE POTTS: “I think you just said a lot of stuff you weren’t supposed to.”

TOM HANKS: “I think I just did.”

ANNIE POTTS: “Pretty sure about that.”

Yup, my thoughts (and look) exactly, Annie.

You can watch the entire interaction in this video. I couldn’t stop laughing.

Too Many Great Moments at the Toy Story 4 Press Junket

There were just so many noteworthy moments during this interview with Tom Hanks, Annie Potts, and Tony Hale. Forky is delightful and most certainly has Buster Bluth in him. Tom Hanks even called Tony out about Disney+’s new Forky show going to his head. He was joking of course.

Mark Nielsen did announce that in November Disney+ will have 10 episodes of Forky Asks a Question, starring Tony Hale as Forky! And I am here for it.

Maybe the biggest “awwwws” came when Tom Hanks said, “Woody has known since 1994 that Bo was the figurine for him. He just always knew it. And let me check these talking points.”

Talking points. Schmalking points. Tom Hanks is a gem, and he and Annie Potts are lovely on stage together.