The latest film from DreamWorks, The Bad Guys, has hit theaters and looks to be following in the footsteps of films like Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon. So far it has received moderately positive reviews for critics and audiences alike for its design and clever humor.
The film tells the story of a group of animal criminals who are forced to become the good guys and take down a new scoundrel together. Every cast member of The Bad Guys has had extensive careers in film and television, and here are some of their most iconic credits.
Sam Rockwell
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Sam Rockwell voices the leader of the “Bad Guys” gang, Mr. Wolf. Although he has a proclivity for stealing – particularly pickpocketing – he develops hopes to turn from his life of crime and become one of the good guys. While this change of heart forced the group to abandon Wolf, they eventually reconciled and worked together to thwart Professor Marmalade’s plans.
Rockwell has certainly had a rich career in film and television. He earned an Academy Award for his role as Officer Dixon in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, along with an Emmy nomination for Fosse/Verdon. Many viewers might also recognize Rockwell for his roles in Iron Man 2 and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Marc Maron
Maron
Serving as Mr. Wolf’s second-in-command is Mr. Snake, voiced by Marc Maron. Of the group, he is the most set in his ways. Mr. Snake loves the life of a thief, so much so that he betrays Wolf and the group and teams up with Professor Marmalade. Nevertheless, upon getting betrayed in turn by his new colleague, and saved by his former, he turns to the life of good.
Marc Maron is a name and voice that many will recognize for his incredibly popular podcast, WTF with Marc Maron. On-screen, he starred in his own series, aptly named Maron, on IFC which ran for four seasons, along with roles in GLOW and Joker – the latter alongside fellow The Bad Guys actor, Zazie Beetz.
Awkwafina
The Farewell
The third member of the Bad Guys is Ms. Tarantula, voiced by actress, rapper, and comedian, Awkwafina. She is the group’s tech-savvy hacker with an exceptionally sharp wit. Like her fellow Bad Guys, Ms. Tarantula seems content with her current life – minus the arrest and forced reformation, but she too learns the benefits of helping others and puts herself on the right path.
Awkwafina has become incredibly popular over the past few years, joining the MCU in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, voicing Sisu in Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, and helming her own TV show, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens. To date, her best performance to date might still be in The Farewell which earned her a Golden Globe award.
Craig Robinson
The Office
Comedian Craig Robinson voices the comically-unstereotypical Mr. Shark in The Bad Guys. As a shark and the largest member of the Bad Guys, he would presumably be the group’s strongman, but he is actually their master of disguise. Throughout the film, he dons numerous ridiculous disguises – often no more complex than a fake mustache – to help the gang in their heists, and later, good deeds.
Craig Robinson is probably best known for his years as Darryl Philbin on The Office across all nine seasons, and then as Doug Judy in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Robinson has also appeared in several films alongside collaborator Seth Rogen like Pineapple Express and This is the End. Currently, he is starring in Killing It on Peacock.
Anthony Ramos
In The Heights
Voicing the role of the Bad Guys’ hotheaded youngster, Mr. Piranha, is Anthony Ramos. Although he isn’t as large as Shark, Piranha serves more as the group’s muscle, and he has the temper to support that. He is voracious and immature, often reacting immediately to every little thing, thus getting himself and his teammates in trouble.
Like Awkafina, Anthony Ramos has steadily been popping up more and more on-screen. Of course, he is best known for playing Usnavi in In The Heights and his tenure on Broadway in Hamilton and its Disney+ recording. He has numerous jobs coming up including in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Furthermore, Ramos will be joining the MCU in an undisclosed, but important role in Ironheart.
Richard Ayoade
The IT Crowd
British comedian Richard Ayoade voices Professor Rupert Marmalade IV, an affluent guinea pig philanthropist. At first, he seems to be helping Wolf and the Bad Guys reform from their stealing ways, but it is then revealed that this was all a guise. Marmalade is actually the evil mastermind manipulating the group so he can steal what he wants. In the end, his machinations got the best of him since he helped turn them good, and then in turn thwarted him.
Ayoade has had numerous international successes elsewhere in animation, lending his voice to Pixar’s Soul and Netflix’s Disenchantment. His most prominent role on-screen would be for The IT Crowd as Maurice Moss, which earned him a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2014.
Zazie Beetz
Deadpool 2
One character who provokes Wolf’s, and thus the group’s, transformation from thieves to heroes is Dianne Foxington, voiced by Zazie Beetz. She is the Governor – presumably of California since the film takes place in Los Angeles – and is later revealed as a reformed thief herself, the Crimson Paw. She and Wolf spark up a connection and eventual relationship, with her helping him find his way.
Zazie Beetz is particularly well-known for her role in Atlanta, which earned her an Emmy nomination. Furthermore, she’s voice Amber Bennett in Invincible and played Domino in 2018’s Deadpool 2. Since her co-star Ryan Reynolds is set to reprise his role in the latter as part of the MCU, hopes are high Beetz will also return as Domino.
Alex Borstein
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Taking on the role of the initial antagonist is Alex Borstein as Misty Luggins. She is the city's chief of police and has a deep hatred for the Bad Guys. As such, she goes to extreme lengths to stop and apprehend them – so much so she grapples with them during an intense high-speed chase.
Borstein is best recognized currently for her role as Susan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – with Susie's hilarious quips and wit capturing the audience’s hearts and earning her two Emmy awards. She is also well known for her time on the sketch series, MADtv, and as Lizzie’s Principal in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Her voicework is equally impressive as she has voiced Lois Griffin in Family Guy since the show’s inception.
Lilly Singh
A Little Late with Lilly Singh
Late-night host Lilly Singh lent her voice to The Bad Guys as the local news reporter, Tiffany Fluffit. As per the character’s occupation, she reports throughout the film, updating on the Bad Guy’s story. As such, she does not play a large role in the film’s plot, but Singh still brings a special energy to the role to make an entertaining character.
Singh got her start on YouTube beforehand but has since moved on to other endeavors. Of course, she is best known for her late-night talk show, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, which was unfortunately canceled last year. She is currently playing Liv in Hulu’s Dollface and will be the lead in the upcoming The Muppets Mayhem on Disney +.