The Voices Of Alvin And The Chipmunks Sequel
A Look At The Male Voice Actors For The Squeakquel
Nov 7, 2009
Alvin and the Chipmunks are back in a new movie, to be released Christmas Day 2009. The first movie was critically panned, but audiences ate the film up. The film made $359 million at box-offices worldwide, and another $101 million on DVD. It bears the unusual title of "highest grossing talking animal/live-action cartoon adaption" of all time.
The first movie in this series saw the Chipmunks discovered by songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee), and wind up as pop superstars. Despite Dave's best efforts, they are exploited by a record company executive (David Cross). The trio heads off to school in The Squeakquel, trying to fit in with their human classmates. Ruined by the loss of his stars, Cross' character search for the next singing and dancing animal act: the Chipettes, as voiced by Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, and Amy Poehler.
Cool 'Munk Alvin, Justin Long
Appearing in films like Galaxy Quest (1999) and Jeepers Creepers (2001), Justin Long's break came in 2000, with the TV show Ed. For 83 episodes, Long played socially-awkward Warren Cheswick in the small-town series. Roles in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004), Herbie Fully Loaded (2005), and Accepted (2006) led to his signature role, "Get a Mac" in a continuing series of Apple Computer ads with John Hodgman, where he often introduces himself "I'm a Mac..."
Films have been flying at Justin fast and furious: just in 2009 alone, he will appear in a dozen films. Besides Chipmunks, he could be seen this year in He's Just Not That Into You, Still Waiting..., Patriotville, Drag Me to Hell, Serious Moonlight, Funny People, After.Life, Beyond All Boundaries, Planet 51, Old Dogs, and Taking Chances. Another 2009 film, Youth in Revolt, won't receive wide release until next year.
His non-Chipmunk voice credits have been less than earth shattering: Hair High (2004) as Dwayne, in Terra (2007) as Senn, in Planet 51 (2009) as Lem, and Beyond All Boundaries (2009) as two military officers.
The Squeakquel director Betty Thomas commented to the Los Angeles Times that "Justin Long is crazy, pushing the edge of improvising. He's just like Alvin, hard to control sometimes."
Male Model Matthew Gray Gubler as "Smart-One" Simon
Returning as the voice of Simon is Matthew Gray Gubler, best known for his role in Criminal Minds as Dr. Spencer Reid. A former (reluctant) male model, his other acting credits are few and odd. Before the Chipmunks, he played an intern in Bill Murray comedy The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou and Joe Joe in Robin Williams comedy RV. While those titles were of note, his other films stayed under the radar: How to Be a Serial Killer, (500) Days of Summer, and Pornstar.
His voice acting experience is paying off, though: Gubler will voice Young Prince Flynn in 2010 Disney film Rapunzel. Interestingly, the voice of Prince Flynn later in the movie is Chuck star Zachary Levi, who appears in the flesh in Squeakquel as Toby Seville.
Of Simon and Gubler, director Thomas commented "I don't know why they love Simon other than that he embodies sort of the intellectual in all of us. Matthew Gray Gubler, who plays him, sort of embodies that too. He's sort of the really handsome nerd."
Jesse McCartney As Theodore: Both Known For "Cuteness"
Teen singing tweenie heart-throb Jesse McCartney continues on as Theodore's voice. McCartney got his acting start in All My Children as JR Chandler. Despite appearing in just a handful of episodes, he received two Young Artist Awards, and was twice nominated for a Daytime Emmy. This acting success was followed up with recent lead roles as Bradin Westerly in Summerland and Andy in Greek.
McCartney's had a large run of voice acting roles—Roxas in various Kingdom Hearts video games, JoJo in 2008's Horton Hears a Who!, Lucky in Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs & a Boy, and Frank Hardy in a Hardy Boys video game. His upcoming roles include Gavin Reilly in 2010 picture Beware the Gonzo, and his third outing as the voice of inch-high hunk Terence in Tinker Bell: A Winter Story.
He continues to have success in the music industry: he co-wrote the hit song "Bleeding Love", performed by Leona Lewis. The song received a nomination for 2009 Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards. McCartney is working on his fourth studio album, expected for release in mid-2010.
Thomas told the Los Angeles Times, "Jesse McCartney, who plays Theodore, is this little sweet guy who is just lovable."
 |
