‘Toy Story 5’ Actor Replaced by 80-Year-Old ‘Ghostbusters’ Star Ernie Hudson
January 30, 2026
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A veteran actor has unexpectedly joined the cast of “Toy Story 5.”
80-year-old Ernie Hudson, who plays Winston Zeddemore in the “Ghostbusters” franchise, is now voicing the character of Combat Carl in the upcoming Pixar movie.
The news came as a shock to Hudson. “Not until I actually started working,” he replied when TMZ asked yesterday at what date he was told about the role. “And the studio didn’t tell me but the fans did. The fans are amazing. They know more than I do.”
As first reported by Deadline last year, Hudson replaces Carl Weathers, who passed away from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in 2024 at 76.
Weathers, who played Combat Carl in the 2013 TV special “Toy Story of Terror!” and 2019’s “Toy Story 4,” is well-known for his role as Apollo Creed in “Rocky,” as well as “Predator” and “The Mandalorian.”
“I was very happy to be included but I didn’t know I was stepping in for Carl, who was a good friend,” Hudson continued.
According to Hudson, Pixar wasn’t entirely forthcoming with details about his involvement with the film, seemingly preferring to keep it all low-key.
That turned out to be a good thing for him, however: it helped reduce performance jitters.
“I think the fact that I didn’t know in the beginning was probably for the better,” Hudson says.
Combat Carl is a G.I. Joe-inspired action figure known for his catchphrase, “Combat Carl never gives up. Combat Carl finds a way.”
‘Toy Story 5’ Cast
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen reprise their roles as Woody and Buzz respectively. Conan O’brien and Greta Lee, meanwhile join the cast alongside fellow newbie Ernie Hudson.
Here’s the confirmed “Toy Story 5” cast:
Tom Hanks — Woody (voice)
Greta Lee — LilyPad (voice)
Tim Allen — Buzz Lightyear (voice)
Joan Cusack — Jessie (voice)
Ernie Hudson — Combat Carl (voice)
Tony Hale — Forky (voice)
Conan O’Brien — Smarty Pants (voice)
Blake Clark — Slinky Dog (voice)
‘Toy Story 5’ Release Date
“Toy Story 5” is set to hit theaters June 19th, 2026, as confirmed by Pixar.
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