GKIDS Announce 'The Boy And The Heron' English Cast

 

There can be few animated films more anticipated than The Boy and The Heron, the newest film from animation legend Hayao Miyazaki. The film will see general release in the US and UK this December. In the meantime, it is screening at various festivals. Ahead of the US premiere, which took place at the Animation Is Film festival on October 18, US distributor GKIDS Films has announced the English language cast.

GKIDS typically hire some well-known and highly regarded names for their English dubs. The Boy And The Heron is a big deal so they've really pushed the boat out to assemble a quality cast this time.

The cast is led by Christian Bale, making his return to the Studio Ghibli-verse for the first time since Howl's Moving Castle.  It also includes Dave Bautista (Guardians Of The Galaxy, Dune),  Gemma Chan (Eternals, Crazy Rich Asians), Willem Defoe (Spider-Man, The Lighthouse),  Karen Fukuhara (The Boys, The Suicide Squad), Mark Hamill (Star Wars, House Of Usher) Robert Pattinson (The Batman, Tenet) and Florence Pugh (Oppenheimer, Black Widow). The cast also features Luca Padovan as Mahito Maki. Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolori, and Dan Stevens feature as the Parakeets. 

GKIDS Films handled the casting and produced the English-language version in close consultation with Studio Ghibli. ADR direction was by Michael Sinterniklaas at NYAV Post, and the English script adaptation was by Stephanie Sheh.  The English dub was produced in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA foreign-dubbing agreement.

The Boy and The Heron is written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and his first film in 10 years. The film is produced by Toshio Suzuki, with original music by Joe Hisaishi. It tells the story of a teenage boy who finds a gateway to a magical world.

GKIDS Films will bring The Boy And The Heron to cinemas across the US and Canada in both English dubbed and subtitled versions from December 8. Additionally, there will be special preview events in the US from November 22.  The film will be released in the United Kingdom on December 26.