Tom Hanks explains Woody's bald spot in Toy Story 5 trailer reveal
Synopsis
Tom Hanks breaks down the bald spot seen in Toy Story 5's viral trailer moment — not a plot hole, but a deliberate reflection of Woody's wear-and-tear after decades of play. The reveal is vintage Toy Story: grounding emotional depth in physical comedy, and reminding audiences that even beloved toys age.
Key Takeaways
Tom Hanks explained Woody's bald spot in Toy Story 5 as the result of years of play and repeated hat-wearing causing fabric chafing.
The character's body has physically changed since the franchise's 1995 debut because he is made of stuffing and cloth that settles over time.
In the trailer, Woody removes his cowboy hat to reveal the bald patch, which comically reflects sunlight into his toys' eyes.
Trixie the Triceratops jokes that someone needs a brown marker to color in the bald spot.
Toy Story 5 releases on 19 June .
Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody in Pixar's beloved animated franchise, has offered insight into a standout moment from the Toy Story 5 trailer: the cowboy toy's newly visible bald spot. The 69-year-old two-time Academy Award winner addressed the viral glimpse in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, explaining the wear-and-tear behind the character's altered appearance.
Why Woody has a bald patch
"He has been played with to excess," Hanks said, describing the physical toll on the toy. "You put a rubber hat on top of a rubber head again and again and again and again, something's gonna chafe. So, yeah, he does have… let's say a worn area on the back of his head." The explanation ties Woody's condition to decades of play and handling, grounding the comedic visual in the film's logic.
How Woody's body has changed over time
Beyond the bald spot, Hanks discussed broader physical changes to the character since the franchise's 1995 debut. "He is not shaped plastic," the actor explained. "He is made of stuffing and cloth, and that stuff settles over time." This detail underscores how Toy Story 5 treats its aging characters with both humour and authenticity, reflecting the passage of years within the narrative.
The scene in the trailer
In the Toy Story 5 trailer, a poncho-wearing Woody removes his cowboy hat to reveal his hairless patch. The moment escalates into comedy when sunlight reflects off the exposed plastic and blinds his fellow toys. "Ooh! Ouch!" they cry out collectively. Trixie, the blue plastic Triceratops, delivers a quip: "Someone needs a brown marker," suggesting the bald spot be coloured in to match Woody's hair.
The franchise's enduring themes
Since its 1995 launch, Toy Story has examined the unique bond between children and their cherished toys, nostalgia, and the emotional complexities of growing up. The fifth instalment continues this tradition while acknowledging that toys, like their owners, age and change. The film is scheduled to release on 19 June.
Hanks' recent work
Hanks was recently seen in The Phoenician Scheme, a Wes Anderson-directed espionage black comedy thriller featuring an ensemble cast including Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, F. Murray Abraham, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe, and Bill Murray.
Point of View
Chip, and wear. By giving Woody a bald patch, Pixar signals that this fifth chapter is about characters who have lived, been loved, and borne the marks of time. It's the opposite of nostalgia-washing; it's nostalgia with wrinkles.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Woody have a bald spot in Toy Story 5?
According to Tom Hanks, Woody's bald spot is the result of decades of play and the repeated friction of putting a rubber hat on a rubber head. Since Woody is made of stuffing and cloth, these materials settle and wear over time, creating the visible patch.
When does Toy Story 5 release?
Toy Story 5 is scheduled to release in theatres on 19 June.
What happens with Woody's bald spot in the trailer?
In the Toy Story 5 trailer, Woody removes his cowboy hat to reveal the bald patch. Sunlight reflects off the exposed plastic and blinds his fellow toys, who cry out in pain. Trixie then jokes that someone should use a brown marker to color in the spot.
How has Woody's character changed since the first Toy Story film?
Beyond the bald spot, Woody's overall body has changed since 1995 because he is made of stuffing and cloth rather than rigid plastic. These materials naturally settle and shift over time, altering his physical shape and appearance.
