The new, computer-animated feature "Toy Story 3" appears to bring the decadeslong adventures of the beloved characters to an end.
But if Jodi Benson has her say, this would only be the beginning — or perhaps the middle — of the blockbuster, G-rated cartoon feature series.
"It may sound selfish of me, but I don't want this to be it, for the story to be over. I've just had so much fun making two of these movies," she said. "And I am so grateful to be part of the Disney and Pixar magic that I don't want the experience to ever be over."
Besides, "you can never say never when the Pixar geniuses are concerned.
"If anyone could find a really good reason for the characters to return, it would be these guys. And you know that whatever they come up with, it would be a great story and a really fun ride," the 48-year-old voice actress said during a telephone interview from Los Angeles. (She and other voice stars were in Southern California over the weekend to promote the new movie.)
Benson provides the voice for Barbie, one of the many toys in the movies that come to life when their owners aren't around.
While Barbie was relegated to a quick cameo in 1999's "Toy Story 2," she has one of the meatiest roles in the new film.
A major subplot in "Toy Story 3" concerns her new relationship with a Ken doll (voiced by Michael Keaton). And Barbie is also instrumental in helping her fellow toys escape from captivity in a day-care center.
"She — and I — get to do a little bit of everything in this film," Benson said, laughing.
"I, personally, think this is the best of the movies. They keep upping the ante. There's even more action, excitement, laughs and scenes to make you cry. I know I cried when I saw it, and not just because I worked on the movie."
Oddly, she and co-star Keaton never worked face-to-face. They recorded their parts separately, with only filmmakers and recording personnel present, as is standard operating procedure with animated films.
In fact, "Michael was going out while I was coming into the studio, and he was horribly sick," Benson recalled.
Fortunately, the two did meet under better circumstances at the film's red carpet premiere and other promotional events.
"Michael is such a gracious, funny man. I'm lucky to have worked with him and with all these people. Most of them are real movie stars, and I'm just a voice performance — a very fortunate one."
Benson is a stage veteran, having appeared on Broadway during the 1980s. But her big break came at the end of that decade, when she was cast as the voice of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid."
At the time, she was part of the cast for the Howard Ashman and
Marvin Hamlisch musical "Smile," and she thought "that this was the best life had to offer.
"It was a terrific time for me. Theater was wonderful, but Disney has given me more than I ever could have asked for," Benson said.
She continues to do voice work but is nearly retired in terms of live-action performances. Instead, Benson is currently home-schooling her two children in Georgia and says she has "two wonderful children and an equally wonderful husband.
"I am very happy with my current life and circumstances," she continued. "I am truly blessed in that regard."
Of course, Benson does sing occasionally with national symphony orchestras, which gives her the chance to "put on a pretty dress and get my face out there in public one again." (One of these events, 2006's "The Three Divas of Broadway," paired her with the Utah Symphony and fellow Broadway performers.)
And she certainly wouldn't object to reprising her Barbie role if the character gets some sort of spin-off project — or if she were asked to reprise her role as Ariel.
"Because of confidentiality agreements with the studio, I can't really say anything about all of my upcoming work, but you can guess what my answer would be if I'm asked to return to any of these films," she chuckled.
Benson said her goal would be to "become the female John Ratzenberger," in reference to the former "Cheers" star who has a regular vocal presence in Disney-Pixar productions.
e-mail: jeff@desnews.com