Toy Story 4 will still feature Don Rickles thanks to years-old audio recordings
Don Rickles' iconic voice won't be missing from Toy Story 4 after all — and as it turns out, some of his dialogue may be decades old.
When the legendary comedian died in April 2017, it remained unclear how the upcoming Toy Story sequel would handle his absence. Rickles voiced Mr. Potato Head in all three previous Toy Story films, and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed in 2017 that he hadn't yet recorded any of his dialogue for the fourth installment prior to his death.
But director Josh Cooley confirmed to Entertainment Weekly on Thursday that Rickles is actually still in the new movie, as Pixar was able to make use of old recordings of him. "But we went through, jeez, 25 years of everything we didn’t use for Toy Story 1, 2, 3, the theme parks, the ice capades, the video games — everything that he's recorded for Mr. Potato Head," Cooley said. "And we were able to do that."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Weirdly, this will make Toy Story 4 the first of two Disney sequels this year in which an actor will appear posthumously thanks to the use of old recordings. There's also Star Wars: Episode IX, which will feature the late Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa even though she died in December 2016. Like with Toy Story, this is thanks to Lucasfilm repurposing old footage of Fisher originally shot for 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Both instances should provide a nice way for fans to say goodbye to the beloved actors, and in each case, the family signed off on the decision. Cooley told Entertainment Weekly that Rickles' family, in fact, were the ones to reach out and see if there was any way he could somehow still remain in the film after his death. He explained, "I'm so very honored that they asked us to do that, and I'm very honored that he's in the film."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 11, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - bathroom blues, family feud, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 blustery cartoons about the Stormy Daniels testimony
Cartoons Artists take on gag orders, lurid details, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Idea of You review: 'impossible escapism' starring Anne Hathaway
The Week Recommends Steamy romcom about a 40-year-old who falls for a boy band singer
By The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published