American actress Greta Lee has championed the upcoming Toy Story 5, describing it as an "important movie" due to its exploration of technology's pervasive influence on children.
Greta Lee on Her Role as Lilypad
Lee, 43, lends her voice to Lilypad, a smart tablet character in the latest instalment of the beloved animated comedy. Her character, while not a traditional antagonist, forces the iconic toys to unite in a bid to rescue their owner from the encroaching threat of electronic devices.
Speaking to the Press Association at a launch event, Lee reflected on her role, stating: "Lilypad is not quite a villain. She often has really good intentions. The issue is complicated because tech isn't going anywhere, and it is beneficial in a myriad of ways, but there is a real concern about the cost of all of this screen time that we get to see in the movie."
The actress, known for her roles in Tron: Ares (2025) and Past Lives (2023), reiterated the film's significance, adding: "Toy Story 5 is an important movie, and I get to say that, which is amazing and an honour."
Joining a Star-Studded Cast
Lee also expressed her delight at joining the much-loved franchise and collaborating with Hollywood stalwarts such as Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack. She told PA: "I've loved these actors for so, so long, and I've loved these characters. I mean, they're iconic, and I grew up with them, so it's just surreal and it continues to be surreal."
Rapper Bad Bunny and actor Alan Cumming are also part of the star-studded cast. The Puerto Rican music sensation will lend his voice to a character named "Pizza With Sunglasses", while Cumming, host of The Traitors US, is slated to portray the evil alter ego of the horse Bullseye.
Legacy of the Toy Story Franchise
The first Toy Story film was released more than three decades ago in 1995 and achieved global success, leading to sequels, shorts, and TV specials. The franchise has won many awards. Among its spin-offs is 2022 film Lightyear, which followed the "real life" adventures that inspired the toy line producing Buzz Lightyear. The third movie also produced the Oscar-winning song We Belong Together by Randy Newman.
Toy Story 5 will be available to watch in cinemas in the UK from June 19.
