Voice Of Woody In Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2 is one of the most beloved animated movies of all time. It's hard to imagine anyone other than Tom Hanks playing the voice of Woody, the cowboy doll who is the main character of the film. But did you know that Hanks almost didn't reprise his role as Woody for the sequel?
The Story Behind Tom Hanks' Return
When Toy Story 2 was first being developed, it wasn't intended to be a theatrical release. It was originally planned as a direct-to-video movie, and the voice actors were paid significantly less than they were for the first movie. In fact, Tom Hanks was only offered a fraction of what he was paid for the original film.
Hanks was understandably upset by the low offer, and almost turned down the role of Woody. However, when he learned more about the story and the quality of the film, he decided to come back. In the end, he was paid more than he was originally offered, but still significantly less than he was paid for the first movie.
Who Else Auditioned For The Role?
While it's hard to imagine anyone other than Tom Hanks playing the role of Woody, there were actually several other actors who auditioned for the part. Some of the most notable include:
- Jim Carrey
- Billy Crystal
- John Cusack
- Paul Giamatti
Ultimately, it was Hanks' performance that won over the filmmakers and audiences alike.
The Process Of Recording Woody's Voice
Recording the voice for an animated character isn't as simple as just reading lines into a microphone. In fact, the process can be quite complex.
First, the actors record their lines in a studio while watching the animated footage on a screen. This helps them to synchronize their performance with the character's movements and facial expressions.
However, the actors don't just read their lines once and call it a day. They often record multiple takes of each line, with different inflections and emotions, to give the filmmakers more options to choose from in the editing process.
After the actors have recorded their lines, the filmmakers use a process called "looping" to perfect the final product. This involves going back and re-recording specific words or phrases that didn't quite match up with the animation, or adding additional dialogue to enhance the story.
The Legacy Of Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2 was a critical and commercial success, and is still beloved by fans today. It was also groundbreaking in many ways, including being the first computer-animated movie to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song ("When She Loved Me" by Randy Newman).
The film's success paved the way for the third and fourth installments in the Toy Story franchise, as well as countless other computer-animated movies. And of course, it cemented Tom Hanks' place as the voice of Woody.
Conclusion
Tom Hanks' performance as Woody in Toy Story 2 is one of the most iconic voice acting roles in movie history. While he almost didn't return for the sequel, we're all grateful that he did. And while other actors may have auditioned for the role, it's hard to imagine anyone else bringing the same warmth and heart to the character that Hanks did.