Martin Short & Maya Rudolph join Ricky Gervais for Willoughbys animated film

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

THE WILLOUGHBYS, an upcoming animated film project based on the Lois Lowry children's book of the same name has just added some temendous voice talent to its already impressive list of contributors. Now, in addition to Jane Krakowski (30 ROCK, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT), Terry Crews (BROOKLYN NINE-NINE), and Sean Cullen (CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS), actors Martin Short and Maya Rudolph have also joined the project. Short will voice the character of Father Willoughby alongside Krakowski as Mother Willoughby. Meanwhile, Maya Rudolph will lend her vocals to Nanny, the woman who looks after the Willoughby children. Crews will voice the character of candy mogul Commander Malanoff while Sean Cullen will step into the roles of twin boys Barnaby A and B.

Comedian Ricky Gervais is set to narrate the tale of what happens when, abandoned by their selfish parents, the Willoughby children embark on an adventure through the modern world, colliding with a cat, an orphan, a nanny, and a candy mogul, to reunite with the “family they were born into.” WILLOUGHBYS will be written and directed by Kris Pearn with Cory Evans acting as co-director. The project is currently in its pre-production stage at Bron's studio in Burnaby, Canada. Bron’s Brenda Gilbert, Aaron L. Gilbert, and Luke Carroll are producing. Gervais is an executive producer alongside Jason Cloth of Creative Wealth Media.

Voicing his enthusiasm for the project, Pearn stated that, “We’re so excited to have this amazing cast, some of the funniest actors in the world adding their distinctive voices to the WILLOUGHBYS. It’s a very special movie with a timely message and I know Ricky, Maya, Terry, Martin, Jane, and Sean are going to have so much fun breathing life into these characters.” It's also worth noting that this is not Pearn's only animated film project that's currently in the works. In addition to THE WILLOUGHBYS, Pearn is also contributing to HENCHMAN, which features another steller cast of celebrity voice actors such as James Marsden, Thomas Middleditch, Rosario Dawson, Alfred Molina, Nathan Fillion, Jane Krakowski, Rob Riggle, Craig Robinson, Will Sasso, and Bobcat Goldthwait.

While THE WILLOUGHBYS makes the journey through its creative process, be sure to check out CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, which is available via Digital, DVD, and Blu-Ray formats right now.