WRECK IT, RYU!

I personally believed it would take more than a decade to land any voice work on a Disney animated movie.  It’s been one of many VO goals for my career.  Fortunately, it looks to be coming true well ahead of schedule (I’ll have been a freelance voice actor for 7 years this September).  The mouse house’s new flick, “Wreck It Ralph”, features a slew of video game characters, with brief appearances from multiple well-known franchises.  I am proud to announce I have recorded a cameo as Ryu from Street Fighter.   The process of domestic animated recording sessions usually involves an ensemble cast.  However, this was just myself with director, Rich Moore (The Simpsons, Futurama).  Will fate smile upon me and let that tiny moment make it to the final cut in theatres on November 2?  Fingers crossed.  Meanwhile, in a rather unprecedented move, Disney gave the additional voice actors a little spotlight in their recent press release:

BURBANK, Calif. (July 19, 2012) – Tapping stars from the big and small screens, Walt Disney Animation Studios rounds out its voice cast for “Wreck-It Ralph.” Directed by Rich Moore (TV’s “The Simpsons,” “Futurama”) and produced by Clark Spencer (“Lilo & Stitch,” “Bolt”), the hilarious arcade-game-hopping adventure adds to its current roster, which includes John C. Reilly as Wreck-It Ralph, Jack McBrayer as Fix-It Felix Jr., Jane Lynch as Sergeant Calhoun and Sarah Silverman as Vanellope von Schweetz. “Wreck-It Ralph” hits theaters November 2, 2012.

 

Helping to bring to life the diverse, colorful and wildly imaginative arcade-game worlds created for “Wreck-It Ralph” are the following voice cast members:

 

• Alan Tudyk (ABC’s “Suburgatory,” “Dodgeball”) as King Candy, ruler of Sugar Rush, a candy-coated cart racing game
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• Ed O’Neill (ABC’s “Modern Family”) as Mr. Litwak, owner of Litwak’s Family Fun Center & Arcade
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• Mindy Kaling (“The Mindy Project,” “The Office”) as Taffyta Muttonfudge, an accomplished racer and Vanellope’s nemesis
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• Adam Carolla  (“The Adam Carolla Show”) as Wynchel, Sugar Rush security
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• Horatio Sanz (“Saturday Night Live”) as Duncan, Sugar Rush security
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• Dennis Haysbert (CBS’s “The Unit,” “24”) as General from the first-person shooter game, Hero’s Duty
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• Edie McClurg (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” TV’s “The Life & Times of Tim,” “Planes, Trains & Automobiles”) – as Mary, a Nicelander who lives within the game Fix-It Felix, Jr.
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• Roger Craig Smith (Captain Marvel from TV’s “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” Ezio from game franchise “Assassin’s Creed”) as Sonic the Hedgehog
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• Gerald C Rivers  (video game “Street Fighter” series) as M. Bison
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• Rachael Harris (“The Hangover,” TV’s “New Girl”) as Deanna, a Nicelander who lives within the game Fix-It Felix, Jr.
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• Stefanie Scott (Disney Channel’s “A.N.T. Farm”) as Moppet Girl, a young arcade enthusiast who visits Litwak’s arcade
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• Reuben Langdon (multiple “Street Fighter” video games) as Ken from Street Fighter
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• Kyle Hebert (multiple “Street Fighter” video games, TV’s “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes”) as Ryu from Street Fighter

 

ABOUT THE MOVIE

From Walt Disney Animation Studios and Emmy®-winning director Rich Moore comes “Wreck-It Ralph,” a hilarious, arcade-game-hopping adventure. For decades, Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) has been overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, Jr. (voice of Jack McBrayer), the good-guy star of their game who always gets to save the day. Tired of playing the role of a bad guy, Ralph takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a journey across the arcade through multiple generations of video games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a hero.  On his quest, Ralph meets tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch) from the first-person action game Hero’s Duty, and feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated cart racing game, Sugar Rush, who may just be his first real friend. But everything changes when a deadly enemy is unleashed, threatening the entire arcade and Vanellope herself. Ralph finally gets his chance to save the day—but can he do it in time? “Wreck-It Ralph” crashes onto the big screen on November 2, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

 

I want to personally thank Jonathan Klein at New Generation Pictures, for making a call to his friend at Disney, who put the bug in the production office’s ears about using the actual voice actors from Street Fighter.   No matter how this plays out, my soul is overwhelmingly fulfilled.  I feel pretty confident that my tiny moment will end up in the film because the director was rather emphatic about wanting iconic game characters to be sprinkled throughout.  If not, maybe it could end up in the deleted scenes on blu ray.   Regardless, just having this moment happen has been a wild, surreal, and exhilarating-beyond-words experience.

 

 

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ANOTHER HUGE REASON WHY I LOVE MY JOB…

I’ve gotten to play hundreds of characters through various forms of media for twelves years.  I’ve traveled the world thanks to my resume.  I’ve been able to carve a decent living.  But another huge perk that truly inspires me is hearing from you guys.  Through the years, I’ve heard from all walks of life and all ages.  I recently received the following letter from a fan that I wanted to share…..

 I have been ill for a very long time now, both as a cancer patient since 2009 (papillary/follicular cancer of the thyroid which was removed), and recently I had two brain tumors removed on March 15th of this year, 2012 (benign). During both my extended stays in the hospital, I’d watch some of my favorite animes and play video games to help pass the time. You have voiced a tremendous amount of characters that I have loved dearly over the years (from Gohan, all the way down the list to to your work in Warcraft!). Ezreal from League of Legends has also been one of my major ‘companions’ in my adventures to pass the time during my stay (though only a tiny fraction of the immense list of my favorites that you have done).  I suppose these were the only ‘friends’ that I could smuggle in to visit me during my stays asides from my parents since there was a no-visit policy. I became very fond of them, and soon realized that I wanted nothing more than to give credit where credit is due.

I wanted to say…well, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I absolutely love the work you do, and I cannot properly express my gratitude for the smiles and the giggles you have given me during a very difficult time in my life. I don’t know exactly if a lot of voice actors are aware of the many different ways they touch their fan’s lives, but you certainly have touched mine. You helped make my days phenomenally brighter, and gave me reason to find my creativity in the last places I would have ever looked for it.  I know that I will likely never be able to repay you, but it was very important to me that you read my story and know what a beautiful thing you have done for me. I look forward to meeting you in person sometime, as I’d be honored to give you my thanks face to face.

-C. from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada  

As an entertainer, it’s tremendously fulfilling to help people escape from reality, even for a bit.  I am forever grateful and honored to have made such a positive impact.

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ANIMEWORLD EXPO INDIANAPOLIS

Anyone catch my cartoon debut as the voice of Dr. Lyle Getz and Super Skrull (and a line or two for Skrull Assistant) on AVENGERS on Disney XD last weekend?  I finally was able to fire up my DVR.  I’m beyond ecstatic to have been given the chance to play on a major animated series.  I’m also eternally grateful for everyone’s support.   This coming Sunday wraps up my run on the show, but fingers crossed I’ll have some more cool news on the horizon.  In the lovely world of voice over, one auditions far more than one works.  I’ve continued to throw the best auditions I can at numerous projects, even a callback to Cartoon Network.  All I can do is keep trying.  To say I’m committed to this profession is an understatement.

Meanwhile, this weekend I’ll be traveling to Indianapolis for the first time.  Hope to see you guys at Animeworld Expo!   Here is my schedule:

FRIDAY
4:30p Meet & Greet
6:30p-7:30p. Video Game Voice Acting

SATURDAY
2p Meet and Greet
4p-5p Live Radio Show
10p-11:30p. Dragonball Evolution Roast (18+)

SUNDAY
2:30p-1:30p All VA Q&A
2p Closing Ceremonies

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ANIME EXPO

Time for one of the biggest cons in the country, descending once again upon downtown LA:  ANIME EXPO.  It’ll be especially crowded because the X Games are happening at all the venues surrounding the LA Convention Center, so arrive early and plan ahead to navigate the crowds.  Meanwhile, here is where you can see me this weekend:

1:15-2:5p  Gurren Lagann cosplay judging/ Bang Zoom booth

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AVENGERS/MARVEL PINBALL/STEEL BATALLION

Everyone who knows me knows my biggest goal is voicing cartoons.  Beyond proud to announce that you can hear me as Super Skrull and Dr. Lyle Getz on “AVENGERS:  EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES”.  It has already aired in Australia (you can actually hear a small sample of Super Skrull HERE).  The episode “Prisoner of War” will debut on Sunday, July 1 on Disney XD.  It’s icing on the cake that my major toon debut happens to be on a property I’m geeky about already.  Marvel plans to reboot the Avengers cartoon so this current incarnation will not be renewed for a third season.  Bummer, because from what I’ve seen, it’s a fantastic show!  I choose to look at the bright side.  Maybe I’ll have another chance to audition for the reboot.  Fingers crossed anyway.  It is an unbelievable feeling to have achieved something I’ve wanted desperately since childhood.  I recorded with the cast on this over two years ago.  The experience is the most fun a voice actor can have, bar none.

Another Marvel project I’m involved with has hit Xbox Live and PSN:  ”Marvel Pinball: The Avengers Chronicles”.  I voice Iron Man, Silver Surfer, and Odin.  And for the Xbox, I provide some additional background voices on “STEEL BATALLION:  HEAVY ARMOR”.

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