- Title: USA: Tom Hanks hits red carpet for "Toy Story 3" world premiere
- Date: 14th June 2010
- Summary: DON RICKLES AND ESTELLE HARRIS ON TALKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) DON RICKLES ON WHY HE LIKES PLAYING A VOICE CHARACTER, SAYING: "Well, it's an easy job. I mean, you don't have to put on make-up. You don't have to go on location. You sit in the booth with the director, and you have some fun. And Mr. Potato Head is the kind of character it seems everybody talks about. So, that makes me very happy." WIDE SHOT OF JOHN MORRIS AND JOAN CUSACK TALKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) DON RICKLES ON HIS METHOD OF ACTING, SAYING: "It's me. I mean, like they say, be mad, I act mad. Be happy, I act happy. I am not Robert DeNiro. I don't sit in the corner and go 'I wonder what Potato Head would say?' I just do what I do." ESTELLE HARRIS ON RED CARPET DON CHEADLE WAVING TO CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ESTELLE HARRIS ON WHY SHE ENJOYS BEING PART OF THE "TOY STORY" FILM FRANCHISE, SAYING: "Well, I love the people. I love the story. I love the other actors and actresses. And I love the excitement. And I love the fact that they keep getting better, and better, and better. They don't run out of brilliant ideas." WIDE SHOT OF RED CARPET VARIOUS
- Embargoed: 29th June 2010 13:00
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- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAEMDOQP7T02S37V8NZFBWOCLW8
- Story Text: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Michael Keaton hit the red carpet ahead of the world premiere of "Toy Story 3" this weekend.
The event unfolded at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on a hot Sunday (June 13) afternoon.
In the film Hanks reprises his iconic role as Woody, and Allen again voices the character of Buzz Lightyear. Keaton is a new addition to the ensemble and joins the cast as a Ken doll.
The movie tells the story of how this popular band of talking toys copes with being donated to a childcare center when Andy, the young man who owns them, departs for college.
Hanks talked about why he loves being part of the "Toy Story" franchise.
"The very first time that we did this, a hundred million years ago, it was a noble experiment. It was to see if the imagination was going to be able to be translated by this technology. You know, John Lasseter and the whole team up there were just so gung ho and positive that this thing that started off as 'Oh, you know, interesting artistic enterprise, ended up being just more wildly rewarding than beyond our wildest dreams."
The 53-year-old actor also described the process of working in a sound booth to voice his character.
"Sometime we'll do something and try to find a beat, try to tell some sort of emotional truth. And after the 17th take or the 57th take I'll look up at exhaustion at the guys, like at Lee or Darla, and say 'Is that anywhere close to what you guys want?'"
Allen says getting to know Hanks has been a highlight of being part of the "Toy Story" phenomena.
"I think the best thing is what's coming down the pike here. I got to be friends with Tom. We've got a close friendship over this. It wouldn't have happened. For the real Woody and Buzz, much like the real guys behind it."
Allen, who was celebrating his 57th birthday at the screening, said he sees part of himself in his character.
"I'm not a good enough actor really to not have it affect me. So the voice is actually the dumber, quieter 11-year-old in me is really Buzz. Who everything is new to Buzz, and the only time he gets emotional is when he gets reminded that he is, as he is, a toy."
Keaton noted that he also relates in some ways to Ken, as well as most of the characters he has played in the past.
"I am Ken," smiled the 58-year-old actor. "You know, I cop to everything. You say, are you Beatlejuice? Yes I am. Batman? Yes I am. Anything you want me to be. No, I-- how much of yourself? I don't know. You know, I like to think of myself as a tasteful guy. I'm not sure Ken is always tasteful. But he works at it. And he strives to look good. I like his shallowness. That I tapped into."
Comedian Don Rickles explained why he enjoys the role he plays in the "Toy Story" films.
"Well, it's an easy job. I mean, you don't have to put on make-up. You don't have to go on location. You sit in the booth with the director, and you have some fun. And Mr. Potato Head is the kind of character it seems everybody talks about. So, that makes me very happy."
Rickles, 84, also talked about his straightforward style of acting.
"It's me. I mean, like they say, be mad, I act mad. Be happy, I act happy. I am not Robert DeNiro. I don't sit in the corner and go 'I wonder what Potato Head would say?' I just do what I do."
Estelle Harris, who plays Mrs. Potato Head in the films, expressed her enthusiasm for "Toy Story 3" and the previous two films.
"Well, I love the people," said Harris, 82. "I love the story. I love the other actors and actresses. And I love the excitement. And I love the fact that they keep getting better, and better, and better. They don't run out of brilliant ideas."
Harris is best-known for her long-running role on the American television series "Seinfeld."
The latest installment of the "Toy Story" film franchise was created in 3D and will also be shown at IMAX theatres in the U.S.
"Toy Story 3" opens across North America on June 18, 2010. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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