Twitter
Advertisement

From Matthew McConaughey to Scarlett Johansson, meet the cast of 'Sing'

New animation movie from the creators of 'Minions' will have you singing, dancing, aspiring!

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

New animation feature from Illumination Entertainment, Sing, will follow the journey of five ambitious singers on their way to compete in a competition and change the course of their life.

The makers of Minions and Despicable Me have roped in Hollywood big guns to voice and sing over 65 original and cover songs in the musical. The star cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, and Nick Kroll in pivotal roles. 

McConaughey voices Buster Moon, a dapper koala who presides over a once-grand theatre that has fallen on hard times. Faced with the crumbling of his life’s ambition, Buster has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition.

Five lead contestants emerge: Mike (Seth MacFarlane), a mouse who croons as smoothly as he cons; Meena (Tori Kelly), a timid teenage elephant with an enormous case of stage fright; Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), an overtaxed mother run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets; Johnny (Taron Egerton), a young gangster gorilla looking to break free of his family’s felonies; and Ash (Scarlett Johansson), a punk-rock porcupine struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo.

Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon

Buster Moon is an eternal—some might even say delusional—optimist who still believes in the wonder and magic of his theatre and will do anything to preserve it. Like all the stars of Sing, McConaughey does his own singing in the film, with a memorable rendition of Carly Rae Jepsen’s 'Call Me Maybe.'

"I’ve always regarded Buster as the ultimate creator… a showman who refuses to accept defeat and a guy who will accomplish the impossible through sheer force of will.  Others may see his theatre collapsing around him, but not Buster. Through his eyes, you’ll begin to imagine the crown jewel of this incredible town… a place where people can truly transform," says McConaughey.

Scarlett Johansson as Ash

Ash is a betrayed teenager who will mend her broken heart through the power of rock-and-roll. Scarlett Johansson, apart from singing all her songs, recorded an all-new original song, 'Set It All Free' for the movie.

"Once Ash understands that all of the attention, effort, and energy she’s been giving her worthless boyfriend has been standing in the way of her own musical gifts, she transforms into a badass. Ash eschews outdated expectations that she should deliver a pop-princess act on the stage and just rocks it out with original music. I adore her," quips Johansson.

Reese Witherspoon as Rosita

Rosita is an overtaxed mother who keeps the flicker of a secret dream inside. Witherspoon got to sing renditions of Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off,' Katy Perry’s 'Firework' and Bananarama’s 'Venus.'

"Ever since she was a girl, Rosita has held on to this tiny part of herself she’s been hesitant to share with the world. But once she genuinely owns who she is, this shy mom and wife realises that it would be criminal not to unleash her talents. In fact, it’s the love and passion Rosita’s given and received that pours out of her when she embraces her inner diva and lets loose," Witherspoon spoke fondly of her character.

Seth MacFarlane as Mike 

Mike is a con man. Like all the stars of Sing, MacFarlane goes old school with his renditions of standards including Irving Berlin’s 'Let’s Face the Music and Dance,' 'Pennies From Heaven,' made famous by Bing Crosby, and 'My Way,' which is synonymous with Frank Sinatra.

"What I like about this character is that he has zero concept of just how small he is. Mike is a whirlwind mix of bravado, swagger, and showmanship, and he genuinely believes he has nothing to prove. He needs the contest money because he’s made some very poor decisions, and he’s certain that his larger-than-life personality and stage persona hold the ticket to winning," says the voiceover master.

Taron Egerton as Johnny

Johnny is a reluctant part of his dad’s bank-robbing crew, as well as an aspiring singer who longs to step out and show who he really is. Staying true to his British performers Egerton's Johnny does renditions of Sam Smith’s 'Stay With Me,' 'Elton John’s 'I’m Still Standing' with John Legend’s 'All of Me'

"I think that one of the biggest fears we all have is that we will disappoint our parents. All you want is their acceptance, but as you come into your own, you begin to realise that your dreams don’t always intersect with theirs. Johnny’s relationship with his father epitomises this. He only needs Big Daddy to listen, to actually hear him, just once. If that happens, Johnny believes he can become his own man and really soar,” Egerton talks about his character.

Tori Kelly as Meena

Meena is a timid teen with an enormous case of stage fright who keeps a powerhouse voice trapped inside. Kelly got to sing renditions of Stevie Wonder’s 'Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing' and Leonard Cohen’s iconic 'Hallelujah.'

Talking about Meena Tori Kelly said, “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a bit of Meena inside.  She’s that timid kid who desperately wants to share her gifts with the world, but is always second guessing herself. As an artist, I went to that place of insecurity inside teenage Tori to find my inner Meena. Then you take a deep breath, shake off the nerves and just let the music take over."

Nick Kroll as Gunter

Gunter is the spandexed showstopper whose sheer enthusiasm overcomes his lack of actual talent. Kroll brings out the showman in Gunter when he does renditions of Lady Gaga’s 'Bad Romance,' and Taylor Swift’s 'Shake It Off', Bananarama’s 'Venus' with Reese Witherspoon.

“Gunter knows what we all should: Everything is better in a gold tracksuit. He is the yin to Rosita’s yang. If she’s hesitant, insecure and brilliantly talented… then Gunter is the one who’s first to hit the stage and shake his piggy patootie; he’s a legend in his own mind. When I first experienced Reese and myself as Rosita and Gunter on the screen, I honestly couldn’t stop grinning.”

Featuring more than 65 hit songs, Sing is produced by Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy. Together, they have produced all of Illumination’s films since the studio’s inception.

Directed by Garth Jennings and Christophe Lourdelet, the movie is set to release on December 21 in the US.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement