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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Entertainment
David Smith in Washington

‘I prepared for the role by playing in my room’: the making of Toy Story as it turns 30

Pixar Andy Woody Tom Hanks John Morris Buzz Lightyear John Lasseter Steve Jobs Tim Allen XMen Disney
A still showing Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story
‘If Toy Story hadn’t been a success, Pixar, I’m quite certain, wouldn’t have been able to continue for long as a company’ … a still from Toy Story. Photograph: Walt Disney/Pixar/Allstar

When the Pixar studio was casting for Toy Story, children were invited to bring one toy to the audition. Seven-year-old John Morris showed up with 20: a case of his beloved X-Men action figures. He got the part.

Playing Andy, a young boy whose toys include cowboy Woody and spaceman Buzz Lightyear, his was the first voice ever heard in a feature-length Pixar animation. Toy Story was released 30 years ago on Saturday, but to Morris the memory of its premiere is as fresh as ever.

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