Do Animated Films Need Celebrity Voices?

So often nowadays an animated film is marketed on the basis of the voices behind the characters. Whether it’s Jerry Seinfeld or Jack Black, sometimes you have to wonder if audiences come to see the film or to hear those celebrity voices that they recognize?

Possibly the most popular animated television series (and now a film) of all time is, of course, The Simpsons. Quick – can you name the voices behind Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, or any of the main characters? Likely not all of them, unless you’re a die-hard fan. Would you recognize them if you saw them on the street? I doubt it!

Photo by pforret

Here we have six voice actors who you can hear daily on television. Their voices drive a television empire – no one would ever consider asking someone like Angelina Jolie to replace one of them!

I agree with Peter Martin of Cinematical, who wrote a great article on this subject yesterday. We don’t need celebrity voices in cartoons anymore – especially movies that are aimed at kids who don’t know these voices anyway.

Voice Acting industry blogger Stephanie Ciccarelli wrote on the subject or celebrities being cast in major animated films not too long ago and had many voice actors chime in with their thoughts in the comments. Read her article Celebrity Voice Actors VS Pro Voice Actors Debate.