Toy Story 5 tackles children's screen addiction, says Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks says the latest Toy Story film explores the growing challenge of children's dependence on screens and digital devices.
Tom Hanks has said the latest instalment of the Toy Story franchise explores the growing issue of children's screen addiction, describing it as something that "strikes terror in the heart".
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The fifth film sees familiar favourites Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie facing a new rival: a tablet device called Lilypad, which captures the attention of the children and leaves traditional toys struggling to compete.
Speaking ahead of the film's release, Hanks said the storyline reflects a challenge many parents recognise, with young people increasingly absorbed by phones and digital devices.
Co-star Tim Allen, who voices Buzz Lightyear, said today's children are becoming accustomed to short-form social media content and often struggle to engage with longer films.
He recalled taking his teenage daughter to the cinema, only for her to predict the plot within minutes.
The film arrives amid ongoing debate over the impact of screen time on children's development and wellbeing.
Actress Joan Cusack, who returns as Jessie, said the story is likely to resonate with families grappling with technology use at home.
Despite its modern theme, Allen noted that concerns about new technology are nothing new, comparing current worries about smartphones to earlier generations' anxieties over television and popular music.
Toy Story 5 is due to be released later this month and will also feature a new song by Taylor Swift on its soundtrack.