Disney has been releasing a number of exclusive character profiles and images for Tim Burton’s upcoming FRANKENWEENIE, each of which gives us some more details on the stop-motion players.
Get acquainted:
Victor Frankenstein is a clever and industrious 10-year-old boy who is inspired by science. He lives with his parents and dog, Sparky, in the town of New Holland. Victor immerses himself in making films and inventing in his attic workshop. When Sparky dies in a car accident, Victor uses scientific ingenuity to bring him back to life. Victor is voiced by Charlie Tahan.
Sparky is a devoted and playful bull terrier whose sense of curiosity is matched only by his beloved owner, Victor. Sparky enjoys chasing after balls and being the star of Victor’s homemade movies. He exudes tons of energy and enthusiasm, which even his untimely death doesn’t diminish.
Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein. Mr. Frankenstein is a travel agent, who likes to dispense roundabout advice to his son. He is proud of Victor’s accomplishments, but is concerned he doesn’t have any friends other than Sparky. He encourages him to join the baseball team. Mr. Frankenstein has a playful and loving relationship with his wife, Victor’s mom, who encourages her son’s scientific pursuits, even when her kitchen appliances end up in his attic lab. Victor’s parents are voiced by Catherine O’Hara and Martin Short.
Elsa is a soulful and somber classmate of Victor. She lives next door to him with her tyrant uncle, Mayor Burgemeister, who forces her to be this year’s “Little Dutch Girl” at the town’s celebration of Dutch Day. Elsa also has a beloved pet, her poodle Persephone (also pictured inside), and truly empathizes with Victor when he loses Sparky. Elsa is voiced by Winona Ryder.
Persephone is a perfectly groomed black poodle with an enormously large poof of hair on her head. She is curious and flirtatious with Sparky and fiercely loyal to Elsa, her owner. When Persephone and Sparky first meet in the backyard, the attraction is instantaneous and electrifying.
Toshiaki is over-achieving and mega-competitive. He delights in beating Victor at his own game and like a power-hungry, mad scientist, Toshiaki will stop at nothing to win the top prize in the school’s science fair – even if it means stealing Victor’s ideas to do it. Toshiaki is voiced by James Hiroyuki Liao.
Bob is a momma’s boy who is the brawn to Toshiaki’s brains. He is agreeable and never mean-spirited, but on the flip side he’s easily led and gullible. Bob follows Toshiaki everywhere, but is the first one to run to Victor for help when he gets in over his head. Bob is voiced by Robert Capron.
Bob’s Mom is a plump, suburban housewife who is prone to panic and hysteria when things go awry. She has very simple, stereotypical views on life. She dotes on her son Bob and believes her actions, though often misguided, are in his best interest. Bob’s Mom is voiced by Conchata Ferrell.
Some cool intros and adds a little more detail on how each character will interact in the film. I think many are keeping their fingers crossed that this will be more in line with Tim Burton’s gothic style of old, especially after the somewhat disappointing performance of DARK SHADOWS. As a big fan of stop-motion, I’m very much looking forward to this. It has all the ingredients for a great Halloween flick and I love that it’s in black and white. It’s such a non-standard move and one that I think will pay off on the big screen.
FRANKENWEENIE opens on October 5, 2012.