Conan O’Brien Joins Toy Story 5 as Smarty Pants, Ernie Hudson Replaces Carl Weathers as Combat Carl
Pixar is ready to pull the string once again—Toy Story 5 is in the works, and it’s bringing some new voices to the playroom.
Comedy legend Conan O’Brien has officially joined the cast as a brand-new character named Smarty Pants. The former late-night host revealed the news in classic Conan fashion—via a tongue-in-cheek announcement video where he joked about asking for the role of Woody.
“I was like, ‘Uh, you kinda been there and done that. You’re in a bit of a rut, don’t you think?’” he quipped. “They said, ‘No, it’s Tom Hanks, it’s his role.’ And I went, ‘Guys, you gotta think outside the box.’”
But Conan’s not settling—he’s proud to wear the Smarty Pants badge.
“Then they showed me this new character, Smarty Pants. It’s the best character of them all. I don’t even wanna play Woody or Buzz anymore, even if they beg me. I’m Smarty Pants, I love this!”
Joining him in the voice booth is Ernie Hudson, stepping into the boots of Combat Carl, following the passing of beloved actor Carl Weathers. It’s a fitting tribute to Weathers’ legacy and a solid continuation for the fan-favorite character introduced in Toy Story 4.
While Pixar is keeping the plot under wraps, a few details have surfaced: The toys will navigate the modern world of electronics and today’s tech-savvy kids. Plus, Tim Allen has teased that Jessie will play a bigger role this time around.
Set to release on June 19, 2026, Toy Story 5 promises to blend nostalgia with fresh faces, heart, humor, and just a touch of mayhem—especially with a character named Smarty Pants on the loose.
So polish your cowboy boots and recharge your batteries—Pixar’s got another toy box tale to tell.
