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“There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow,” but does it include Tom Hanks taking over one of Walt Disney’s most iconic attractions?
Disney Rumor Mill
The Disney rumor mill tends to be a hot topic for discussion among Disney fans. One story of the proverbial rumor mill says that Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is finally getting an update, and it will have a new narrator: Tom Hanks.
Tom Hanks
Already a household name among Disney fans, Hanks lent his voice to Pixar’s Toy Story franchise and personified Walt himself in the live-action feature Saving Mr. Banks. His latest role showed him as Gepetto in Disney’s “live-action” remake of Pinocchio.
Tom Hanks as Geppetto in Pinocchio. Here he is shown speaking to Pinocchio, the wooden puppet who becomes a real boy. (Credit: Disney+)
While Toy Story‘s Woody has become a permanent addition to Disney Parks, is there a chance another character can use his voice?
Tom Hanks in the News
Comments about Tom Hanks’ career have been a hot topic with his involvement in the World War II drama series, “Masters of the Air” which is preparing for release on January 26, 2024, on Apple TV+.
Callum Turner and Austin Butler talk to @savannahguthrie about their upcoming World War II drama series “Masters of the Air.”
They open up about working together with Tom Hanks, meeting WWII veterans, playing U.S. Air Force pilots and more. pic.twitter.com/CR2g4ycc22
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 24, 2024
Unfortunately, Tom Hanks is also trending on social media in a negative light among many users of X (formerly known as Twitter).
Social media is allegedly tying Tom Hanks to the Epstein case even though it is reported that Hanks’ name does not appear in the documents as of January 8, 2024.
https://twitter.com/Apex644864791/status/1750157117820936444
Carousel of Progress Rumor
In all this, Tom’s involvement with Disney seems firmly rooted. Tim Allen (voice of Disney’s Buzz Lightyear) released information about Disney connecting with him and Tom Hanks (voice of Sheriff Woody) regarding Toy Story 5.
But will Disney consider this Carousel of Progress rumor?
The rumor’s source is an oldie from 2021 and states that Disney Parks decided to truly bring Carousel of Progress into the 21st Century, and that includes recasting the main character, John, with Tom Hanks. Pioneered by Rex Allen, the role is currently held by Jean Shepherd, who passed away in 1999.
Credit: Disney
Related: Carousel of Progress Too Progressive? Viral Report of a New “Woke” Scene Enrages Disney Fans
Originally created for The World’s Fair in 1964, side by side with “it’s a small world,” at the request of General Electric, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a rotating theater that showcases how the American family has changed over the century thanks to the evolution of technology.
It has received a few updates over the years, with the last one opening in the 1990s. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress was first added to Disneyland Park’s Tomorrowland but moved to Walt Disney World Resort in 1973.
Credit: Disney
It should be stressed that this is just a rumor at this point, and no official word has come from Disney to confirm or deny these claims.
If you are unsure about the thought of seeing Tom Hanks take over the lead of Carousel of Progress, here is a video of him singing “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.”
We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news and stories as more details come to light.
Would you like to see Hanks narrate Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress? Let us know in the comments!
