Live Action Stars In Chipmunks Squeakquel
Cartoon Characters Aren't The Only Stars Of Alvin
So who are the actors and actresses that will be featured in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel? Returning are stars Jason Lee as Dave and David Cross as Ian Hawke; new additions welcomed to the cast are Zachary Levi, Bridgit Mendler, and Wendie Malick.
In film, Dave Seville (Jason Lee) has pulled his chipmunks out of the music industry, to focus on school. The trio enter a battle of the bands contest, to raise money and help save their school music program. They face their top challengers in the form of The Chipettes—record executive Ian Hawke's (David Cross) latest child prodigies.
Jason Lee Returns As Dave
The voice of Underdog in Underdog, Bones in Monster House, and Syndrome in The Incredibles, Jason Lee is best known for playing Earl Hickey in comedy series My Name is Earl. A favourite of director Kevin Smith, he's appeared in Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl, and Clerks II.
Lee has recently voiced Japheth in the film Noah's Ark: The New Beginning, due out before the end of the year. Strangely, he is an active Scientologist, despite this religious role. The cast also includes Michael Keaton, Ben Kingsley, Marcia Gay Harden, Elliott Gould, Howie Mandel, Jason Mewes and Rob Schneider.
Chipmunks Lookout For Hawke: David Cross
Best known for playing Dr. Tobias Fünke on the TV series Arrested Development, David Cross returns to the Alvin franchise as controlling record executive Ian Hawke. Derired by some for "selling out", he defended his decision in the Los Angeles Times; mentioning that it paid for a summer home, it paid more than "all my other projects combined."
Where might you have seen David before? Perhaps Men in Black (1997), Scary Movie 2 (2001, in which co-starred with Anna Faris, voice of Chipette Brittany), or critically-acclaimed Jim Carrey film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).
Cross is usually heard but not seen in family movies. Credits include Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001, he was a dog), Curious George (2006, as Junior), Kung Fu Panda (2008, as Crane), and the direct-to-video feature Futurama: The Beast with a Million Backs (2008, as Yivo). Cross will voice "Stork" in 2010 animated film Cat Tale, and return as Crane in Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom, currently due out 2011.
Wendie Malick Joins Cast, Her Role Unknown
Famous for playing Nina Van Horn in Just Shoot Me, Wendie Malick will be appearing in The Squeakquel, in an unknown role. A frequent guest star on both sitcoms and dramas, her distinctive voice has been borrowed by numerous productions.
She has voiced recurring characters in TV shows like Fillmore! (Principal Folsom, 2002-2004), The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (Beautiful Gorgeous, 2003-2005), Father of the Pride (Victoria, 2004), and The Emperor's New School (Chicha, 2006-2007). Malick has also lent her voice to movies like The Emperor's New Groove (2000), Racing Stripes (2005), and Brother Bear 2 (2006).
Other New Stars Join Cast
Bridgit Mendler also appears; Mendler played Juliet Van Heusen in seven episodes of the Disney Channel hit series Wizards of Waverly Place, and Penny in two episodes of Jonas, the Jonas Brothers mildly successful biocom.
Zachary Levi, star of the TV series Chuck, will appear as Toby Seville, a lazy cousin of Dave. Previous Levi played a lead in ABC Sara Rue sitcom Less than Perfect, satirical film An American Carol, and the fat suit flick Big Momma's House 2. Levi's next role is Prince Flynn in Disney's animated film Rapunzel, due out 2010; young Prince Flynn will be voiced by Matthew Gray Gubler, Simon in Chipmunks.
The winners of America's Best Dance Crew in 2008, hip-hop/b-boy troupe Quest Crew are reported to be making an appearance in the film.
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