With the voice talents of George Clooney and Meryl Streep – to name but a few, FANTASTIC MR FOX which is released in cinemas nationwide from 23 October, is full of Oscar winning and nominated voice talent.
To celebrate, here we take a look at some of the finest performances in animated films from actors that have been recognised by the Academy. From big blue genies to talking cars this feature takes a look not only at our leading cast, but actors such as Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks that have breathed life into some of the most beloved characters in film.
Aladdin (1992)
Genie - Robin Williams
Disney’s Aladdin featured the voice talents of actor/comedian Robin Williams as the Genie. Williams was initially not interested in the role until he saw footage of the genie animated to the audio from his stand up shows. Many consider this to be William’s greatest moment in his career and one of the greatest animated characters of all time. Robin Williams has won an Oscar for best supporting actor in Good Will Hunting as well as a special achievement award for his role as Genie.
The Corpse Bride (2005)
Victor Van Dort – Johnny Depp
For The Corpse Bride, Tim Burton’s second stop motion animated feature, he turned to his long time partner in film and friend, Johnny Depp. Johnny plays Victor Van Dort who when practicing his wedding vows in the woods and placing the ring on what he thinks is a branch, accidently ends up wedding Emily, a corpse. Johnny Depp has been nominated for three Academy Awards including his role as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.
The Lion King (1994)
Scar – Jeremy Irons
The Lion King was Disneys 32nd animated feature and told the story of Simba the lion cub who after the death of his father is forced to runaway by his evil Uncle Scar only to return years later to avenge his fathers death and take his crown as king. The story is very familiar as it was based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Disney recruited a large cast of talented actors for the voice talents including; Mathew Broderick, Natahan Lane, Rowan Atkinson, James Earl Jones (also the voice of Darth Vader) and Jeremy Irons who voiced Scar. Jeremy Irons won an Academy Award for his role in the 1990 film Reversal of Fortune. The Lion King also features the voice talents of Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi, one of Scars evil sidekicks, the Hyenas, Whoopi one an Oscar for Best Supporting actress in the film Ghost.
Sinbad: The legend Of The Seven Seas (2003)
Sinbad – Brad Pitt
Dreamworks used a mix of 2D and 3D for the release for Sinbad and tells the story of the Arabian sailor his crew as they embark on a journey to find a mysterious Greek artefact. The film received very mixed views but had huge Hollywood stars to voice the characters. Brad Pitt who has been nominated for two Academy Awards: one for best actor in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and another for best supporting actor in Twelve Monkeys. The film also includes fellow Academy Award Nominee Michelle Pfeiffer and Academy Award Winner Catherine Zeta Jones.
Toy Story/Toy Story2 (1995)
Woody – Tom Hanks
The first full length computer animated film was Pixar’s Toy Story. The film was a huge success, took more than $356 million worldwide and was nominated for three Oscars. The sequel is considered by critics to be better than the first and one of few films that manages to surpass the original. For the voice of Woody Pixar chose Academy Award winner Tom Hanks. The actor has been nominated for numerous awards and has won in the best actor category twice for his roles in Philadelphia and his portrayal of Forest Gump.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Mrs. Fox – Meryl Streep
Originally Cate Blanchett was due to voice Mrs. Fox but, for unknown reasons didn’t take the role leaving Academy Award winner Meryl Streep to step in. Meryl Streep won an Oscar for best Actress as her role in Sophie’s Choice.
FANTASTIC MR. FOX is visionary director Wes Anderson's first animated film, utilising classic handmade stop motion techniques to tell the story of the bestselling children's book by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach). The film features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Jarvis Cocker.
Garfield: The Movie (2004)
Garfield – Bill Murray
As well as voicing Mr. Badger in Fantastic Mr. Fox Bill Murray also leant his voicing talents for Garfield’s first full length feature, as the lasagne loving feline. The film was a mix of live action and CG animation. Bill Murray was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Lost in Translation alongside Scarlett Johansen.
Shrek (2001)
Donkey - Shrek
DreamWorks Shrek was the first of three films based on the life of the loveable Ogre. Set in a fairytale world Shrek pokes fun at most Disney animated films by challenging all stereotypes from handsome Princes to Pinocchio. Shrek also included a great cast of voice actors including Mike Myers as Shrek and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona. The films standout performance came from Eddie Murphy who voiced Donkey (unfortunately not nominated for an Oscar). Eddie Murphy was nominated however for Best Supporting Actor in Dream Girls.
Antz (1998)
Z – Woody Allen
Antz was Dreamworks first animated film and the second computer animated film in America. It featured a long list of stars including Sylvestor Stallone, Sharon Stone, Christopher Walken and Gene Hackman. The leading character Z was voiced by Academy Award winning director Woody Allen. His 1978 film Annie Hall won four Academy Awards including best picture, best screenplay as well as best director for Allen.
Cars (2006)
Lightning Mcqueen – Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson voices Coach Skip in Fantastic Mr. Fox but, also leant his voicing talents to Pixars seventh animated feature, Cars. The film sees all sorts of vehicles come to life including Lightning McQueen, a self centred rookie racing car. Owen Wilson was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay he wrote for The Royal Tenenbaums, directed by Wes Anderson.
The Incredibles (2004)
Mrs Incredible – Holly Hunter
The incredible was Pixars take on the superhero genre and is their only feature to include people as the main characters. Loosely based on The Fantastic Four it tells the story of a dysfunctional family in a world where superheroes are banned and their identities must remain a secret. The film featured an ensemble cast including; Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Jason Lee, Samuel L. Jackson. Holly Hunter who voices Mrs Incredible won an Oscar for her role in the 1993 film The Piano.
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