Pixar has done the impossible — and done it with heart. Toy Story 5, slated to hit cinemas in June 2026, faced an emotional challenge following the passing of Carl Weathers, the beloved actor who gave voice and gravitas to Combat Carl. Weathers died on February 2, 2024, leaving behind not only a storied legacy but a pair of combat boots not easily filled.
The dilemma for the filmmakers was clear: how do you honour a legend without compromising a character that fans have grown to love? The answer, it turns out, was to bring in another legend.
As reported by Deadline, Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson will take on the role of Combat Carl in the upcoming sequel. It’s a choice that feels less like a replacement and more like a respectful passing of the torch.
Combat Carl first appeared — unvoiced and unnamed — in the original Toy Story (1995), as one of Sid’s unfortunate victims. But it wasn’t until the 2013 Halloween special, Toy Story of Terror, that Carl Weathers gave the character his now-iconic voice and commanding presence, reimagining him in the spirit of the 1980s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line. The role returned in Toy Story 4, further solidifying Carl's place in Pixar’s toy box of unforgettable voices.
Hudson, whose commanding tone and on-screen charisma have made him a favourite for generations, seems like a natural fit. While no one can replace Carl Weathers, Hudson’s involvement ensures that Combat Carl will continue to inspire — and entertain — a new generation of fans.
