Disney Welcomes Back Original Voice Cast For Upcoming ‘Big Hero 6’ TV Series
While overshadowed by the success of the Pixar films, Walt Disney Animation Studios have been picking up steam in the last few years with Tangled, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6, and this year’s Zootopia, all of which have been very successful. Big Hero 6 was the studio’s 54th animated movie, which did better in the theaters than what some had expected. So well in fact, it is being developed as a regular TV series for Disney XD and almost all of the original voice talent is back to voice the characters in the Marvel-branded series, even the legendary Stan Lee.
The Academy Award-Winning film was based on the Marvel comic of the same name, but with a totally different look. The story began in tragedy when Hiro Hamada’a Brother, Tadashi, was accidentally killed in a freak accident. While Hiro mourns his brother’s death, Tadashi’s robot, Baymax, and his fellow classmates rally beside the young boy and help him heal. The group of six discover their own unique talents and together, they find out who was responsible for Tadashi’s death. While the storyline was a bit darker than what Disney movie audiences were used to at the time, the overall tone of the film was uplifting.
Just watched Big Hero 6 for umpteenth time and for the first time saw the after credit scene with STAN LEE(!)???? pic.twitter.com/jwk2ke6XyB
— Ken McColl (@kenmccoll) October 19, 2016
Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams, Big Hero 6 was the biggest animated film of 2014, making more than $657 million worldwide. Along with winning the Oscar for Best Animated film, Big Hero 6 was also nominated for a Golden Globe, Critic’s Choice, and BAFTA awards. It also won five Visual Effects Society Awards, the most ever for an animated movie.
The new Big Hero 6 TV series picks right up after the events in the movie and the six heroes are challenged to work together as a team and fight off the bad guys on a regular schedule. The 14-year-old Hiro, a child prodigy, also has to navigate his way through life being the youngest one in college at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology.
The new TV series is being developed by award-winning producers Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley, creators of Kim Possible. Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer at Disney Channels Worldwide, praised his team on the show’s progress.
“Our colleagues at Walt Disney Animation Studios have created a brilliant new world, inspired by Marvel, with vivid, unique characters. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to further develop these characters into a world class animated series — full of fun, action and the kind of endearing storytelling that only Mark, Bob — and Baymax — can deliver.”
The returning voice cast includes Maya Rudolph (Aunt Cass who had taken in Hiro), Jamine Chung (speed genius Go Go), Scott Adsit (the loveable and squishable Baymax), Alan Tudyk (tech guru Alistair Krei), Ryan Potter (Hiro, the star of the show), Genesis Rodriguez (quirky scientist and fashion plate Honey Lemon) and David Shaughnessy (the butler Heathcliff). As for Fred’s dad, Stan Lee will reprise his role.
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There are two voices missing from the Big Hero 6 TV series: Damon Wayans, Jr. (as Wasabi) and T.J. Miller (Fred). Khary Payton and Brooks Wheelan will be taking over for these roles.
Additional cast voices belong to Jenifer Lewis (strict Professor Granville), Andrew Scott (the villain Obake), Andy Richter (Globby), Diedrich Bader (Bluff Dunder), Susan Sullivan (as Fred’s mother), Sean Giambrone (Richardson Mole), John Ross Bowdie (Mel), and Haely Tju (as Karmi).
Big Hero 6, the series, will premiere in early 2017 on Disney XD.
[Featured Image by Disney XD]
