The last we heard about the Simon Pegg and Nick Frost comedy entitled Paul, they were trying to figure out how they were going to make the CGI titular character appear on-screen. Paul was previously only cast so far as the two leads, Pegg and Frost (who wrote the movie together as well), but today we get news that a brilliant bunch of comedy names have joined the cast: Seth Rogen (voicing Paul), Jason Bateman, Bill Hader, Kristin Wiig and Jane Lynch.
Wow, what a cast!
|
|
Paul is about two comic-book/sci-fi geeks who, whilst on a Comic-Con road trip, encounter an escaped alien at Area 51. It’s a unique and fun-sounding premise that has a lot of comedic potential. The fact that Pegg and Frost have written it gives it even more credence than it otherwise would have had, and even though Edgar Wright (whom directed the comedy duo in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) is nowhere to be found on this one (he’s probably far too busy with Scott Pilgrim vs. The World right now). Instead, Superbad’s Greg Mottola is on-board to direct.
No word as to who everyone else besides Rogen will play – it’s so early in the game that they can’t even reveal what the titular Paul will look like. However, with us now knowing that Rogen will voice Paul, we can get at least some sense as to how the character is going to be within the movie: And if I’m being honest I’m not all that thrilled.
Now this is not a knock on Rogen as either a comedic personality or a voice actor, but I would have much preferred a lesser known actor to provide the voice for Paul, that way you are not constantly distracted by the fact you know who’s voice it is. To use the example of Ratatouille, I was aware that I knew the voice of Remy (the main rat character) but couldn’t quite place it (turned out to be Patton Oswalt). That way it allowed me to accept his voice as the voice of the rat, and not just think about the actor all the time.
With Rogen voicing Paul, I will most likely be distracted by the fact that I know it’s Rogen. Unless the CGI visual representation of the character is so well done that it draws me in and keeps me there without thinking about the voice acting. Otherwise, in all likelihood it will distract the hell out of me.
Besides, didn’t Rogen recently voice a monster or an alien in some movie I can’t remember the name of?…
What do you make of the killer comedy cast assembled for Paul? Do you like the fact that Seth Rogen will be voicing the titled character?
Paul is slated to hit theaters sometime in 2010.
Source: Variety
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed or if you want more frequent updates follow us on Twitter. Thanks for visiting!
Loading ...
13 Comments
So let me get this straight…
You’re saying that knowing the voice actor of a CGI character (which in this day and age is common knowledge for any CGI feature, BTW) is LESS distracting than recognizing a voice and not being able to put a name to it?
Usually I have the opposite problem – Ratatouille being a good example.
This will be interesting without Wright directing. They’ve been such a team together.
Think Bateman is great so hope he gets a big role.
Pegg and Frost together again… I can’t wait. woo hoo!
Ugh, more Seth Rogen forced upon us. I am SO sick of him.
@Kofi,
No, that’s not what I said – I said I find knowing the voice actor (the big name star) is MORE distracting than recognizing the voice but not being able to place it. Did you mean to put MORE instead of LESS in your comment?
Generally, I don’t see why most animated movies have big name stars, when they could get proper, trained voice actors that are at least twice as good for half the price. I understand that a lot of the time it’s to bring in more people, but take Kung Fu Panda for example: The only actor they were really pushing in the marketing (for the most part) was Jack Black. I hardly saw any trailers that advertised the fact that Jackie Chan, or Angelina Jolie or, alas, Seth Rogen (surprise, surprise) were voicing the other animals.
I just think for ‘Paul’, specifically, it should be an unknown actor, or at least if they go with a well known like Rogen, they should change the voice up a bit. Disguise it…
Ugh, Seth Rogen, again. But, it’s another Nick Frost movie so i won’t complain
I just loved Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz!
Yes, it does have a good comedic cast, I like Bateman…BUUUUTTTTT, its all the same people Ive seen before! I understand wanting to work with your friends and all, but, mix it up a bit!
Aside from Pegg & Frost, and some degree Bateman, Ive seen this exact group countless times before.
See when Reitman, Akroyd, Murray and Ramis got together at least there was time in between which made them getting back together a treat! Look at the time between Stripes, Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2. These guys its one right after another.
As long as the inept Rogen is not involved….it is a stellar cast!
Monsters vs. Aliens was the recent “cartoon” that Seth Rogen lent his voice to.
Ross,
I did mean to say MORE. I find it MORE distracting almost recognizing a voice than knowing full well who is doing the talking behind the CGI.
There. Un-tongue-twisted.
Ok, so Seth Rogen may be doing the rounds a bit lately, and i’m sure some people are sick of seeing or hearing him in so many movies. But, I dont think it takes anything away from a movie.
His voice is unique, and i actually quite enjoy listening to him speak. It’s a timeless comedy voice if you like, very reminiscent of John Ratzenberger from Cheers fame, who has voiced countless Disney and Pixar characters over the years!
Knowing its Ratzenberger never takes away any enjoyment from me as a movie buff, as it lends so much to animated characters. It is after all, a very animated voice!
A possible middle ground for lovers and haters of Rogens vocal talent could be if ‘Paul’ actually resembled Rogen, as with Gollum and Andy Serkis, or dare i say John Goodman and Sully in Monsters inc, along with countless others! Anybody else notice the similarity between Chris Rock and the Zebra from Madagascar or for that matter Alex the lion and Ben Stiller?
If done properly, this could well be another roaring success for Pegg and Frost!
What's your opinion? Leave a Reply!
Go to Gravatar.com and upload your own (we'll wait)!