'Toy Story 5' has classic toys battle with modern high-tech gadgets for kid's attention

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Thursday, June 11, 2026 6:02PM
'Toy Story 5' enters the tech world

HOLLYWOOD -- "Toy Story 5" enters the tech world of toys...and what that may mean for kids and their older, once beloved play pals. Along the way, the film has funny, sad, poignant and meaningful moments.

Joan Cusack is out to protect her human, Bonnie, from Lilypad, the tech toy voice by Greta Lee. Both actresses say watching the final product filled them with emotion.

"We watched it together for the first time and I cried six times!" said Lee. "I cried six times and I was so moved by it."

When it comes to kids today, Lee says she's worried they might lose the ability to form real connections.

"Human connections, without the assistance of these screens," said Lee.

Cusack may be a Hollywood star, but she still lives in the city she loves most: Chicago.

"I tried living in California and I just--I'm not a sun person so I was like, 'This is going to be hard.' And then I just felt like it was always about work and Chicago isn't like that," said Cusack.

Joan loves the "Toy Story" franchise...and the character she's voiced now for more than 25 years.

"I strive to be more like Jessie. She's fearless and hopeful and relentless and loving and all the good things," said Cusack. "She's like the ideal parent, I think, which is so sweet that they captured that in a toy."

"Toy Story 5" is the first film in the franchise to be rated PG. It's in theaters June 19.

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