Korean-American actor Greta Lee, who joined the cast of the film 'Toy Story 5', shared that she faced real-life dilemmas regarding the movie's subject matter.
Attending the virtual press conference for 'Toy Story 5' on the morning of June 8, Greta Lee expressed her excitement about joining Pixar's iconic franchise, calling it "a dream come true."
In the upcoming film, Greta Lee voices Lilypad, a smart tablet that becomes 8-year-old Bonnie's new friend. Lilypad's arrival sparks a major crisis for Woody, Buzz, and Jessie, leading to a tense battle of nerves between them.
As a real-life mother raising two sons, Greta Lee shared how the role resonated with her personal life. "Since I'm raising two boys, I've had my own concerns about how to nurture my children's childhood as technology advances, and how I should approach parenting in this digital age," she said.
McKenna Harris, who co-directed 'Toy Story 5', expressed great satisfaction with Greta Lee's casting. "It was truly amazing to watch the incredibly talented Greta Lee bring the character of Lilypad to life. She beautifully balanced a playful yet antagonistic tone with humor and sincerity," Harris praised.
Greta Lee explained that she did not want to portray Lilypad as a simple villain, but rather as a character symbolizing a new paradigm. "The directors asked me to focus on Lilypad's human side. Playing a machine isn't easy, so I was very grateful for that direction," she said. "I was also incredibly thankful to work alongside such legendary senior actors."
Korean-American actor Greta Lee became widely known in South Korea through the critically acclaimed film 'Past Lives', which earned nominations at the 96th Academy Awards and the 81st Golden Globe Awards. She has been making waves at the center of Hollywood, also starring in the blockbuster 'Tron: Ares', which was released last year. 'Toy Story 5' marks her very first voice-acting role.
'Toy Story 5' tells the story of beloved toys like Jessie, Woody, and Buzz, who face an unprecedented crisis with the arrival of Bonnie's new smart tablet friend, Lilypad. The gang must reunite and embark on an unpredictable journey together. The film is set to hit theaters on June 17.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)