All You Need to Know About the Voice Cast in the Latest Rick and Morty Episodes

Article Overview

Rick and Morty's most recent season boasts a fresh cast, featuring Ian Cardoni in the role of Rick and Harry Belden as Morty. The departure of Justin Roiland, the original voice behind both characters, stemmed from allegations leveled against him.

The decision to recast the roles was made to protect Roiland's voice, as it was taking a toll on him to voice both characters. The producers sought out actors who sounded like Roiland to maintain continuity.

The recasting of the characters has not significantly altered the show, as the new actors were chosen for their ability to sound similar. However, there have been subtle adjustments to the storyline and increased emphasis on supporting characters in the latest season.

The release of a new episode of Rick and Morty in October 2023 revealed a significant change in the main cast. This popular adult cartoon series, known for its clever humor and unique blend of intellectual and crude comedy, first aired in 2013 and follows the interdimensional adventures of scientist Rick Sanchez and his anxious grandson Morty. Despite its success in the crowded landscape of adult animation on TV, the show underwent major cast changes for its seventh season.

In early 2023, the co-creator and star of Rick and Morty, Justin Roiland, faced serious accusations of criminal behavior, which led to a legal battle and ultimately his departure from the series. Adult Swim made the necessary decision to distance themselves from Roiland amid extensive negative media coverage, as the allegations became increasingly disturbing. Given Roiland's significant contributions to the show as both a voice actor and creator, the future of Rick and Morty seemed uncertain. Nevertheless, the show proceeded with a new set of lead cast members and premiered its seventh season in October 2023.

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Ian Cardoni Takes Over The Role Of Rick

Throughout the initial six seasons of Rick and Morty, both the characters of Rick and Morty were voiced by Roiland. However, when the decision was made to recast the roles with different actors, the creators chose to divide the parts and bring in two new performers. Ian Cardoni, a relatively unknown actor, was selected to portray the character of Rick Sanchez. Cardoni, originally from Boston, has experience in the realm of vocal performances. Although his previous appearances in movies like Grown Ups and Clear History were as unnamed background characters, his major breakthrough came when he worked as a narrator for World Wrestling Entertainment at WrestleMania 36 and 37, both of which had a pirate theme.

Harry Belden Now Portrays Morty

In addition to his new co-star, Harry Belden shares a similar level of recognition in the entertainment industry. However, taking on the role of Morty will undoubtedly elevate his status as a promising young performer. Interestingly, Belden's experience in voice over work is limited, but he has made appearances in various prime-time television series, albeit in smaller roles. Notably, in 2019, he portrayed the character of Marco in the series Proven Innocent and also made an appearance in Chicago Med. Furthermore, on the comedic front, Belden had the opportunity to showcase his talents with a minor speaking role in the live-action Adult Swim show Joe Pera Talks With You.

Mr. Poopybutthole & All Other Justin Roiland Characters

Justin Roiland, the co-creator and versatile voice actor of Rick and Morty, portrayed numerous smaller roles throughout the show's six seasons, in addition to his prominent roles as the titular characters. However, the character Mr. Poopybutthole, who has been a beloved recurring character since the early days of the show, has recently been recast. Jon Allen has taken over the role for Rick and Morty season 7, known for his work on anime dubs, including Dragon Ball Super, Genshin Impact, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

While Justin Roiland has voiced many iconic characters in Rick and Morty, the only supporting role that has been recast thus far is Mr. Poopybutthole. It remains uncertain whether long-standing characters like Mr. Meeseeks and The Cromulons will be recast in the future or retired from the show altogether. Additionally, it is unclear whether newcomers like Cardoni, Belden, and Allen will introduce new supporting characters or focus primarily on the roles they were originally cast for.

Scott Marder And Dan Harmon Searched For Six Months To Find Replacements

The hunt for new actors to replace Roiland gained almost as much attention as the accusations themselves, becoming a year-long saga that dominated the headlines in 2023. Entertainment Weekly reports that producers Scott Marder and Dan Harmon spent six months scouring for candidates who could mimic Roiland's distinctive voice. However, unlike Roiland's tenure on the show, the producers intended to divide the vocal responsibilities between two performers as it had taken a toll on Roiland's physical well-being to voice both characters for an extended period. In essence, Marder explained, "We witnessed how it gradually strained Roiland's vocal cords over the years. It felt unjust to subject someone to that."

Dan Harmon, the creator of the popular sitcom Community, has taken the future of the series into consideration with this decision. In 2018, Rick and Morty was renewed for 70 additional episodes, indicating a commitment to its longevity. A new cast not only addresses the departure of Roiland, but also allows the possibility for the series to continue for a much longer time. Roiland's workload may have been challenging to sustain over an extended period, making the introduction of new members essential. While Rick and Morty may differ from its contemporaries, it has the potential to become a television staple, much like The Simpsons and Family Guy, and continue for many years ahead.

How Has The Recasting Effected Rick And Morty?

The premiere of the seventh season of the show was somewhat overshadowed by the recasting of Rick and Morty, with the debut episode titled "How Poopy Got His Poop Back" airing on October 15th. Despite the casting changes, Cardoni and Belden's abilities allowed for a seamless transition in the voices of the eponymous characters. However, there have been noticeable changes in Rick and Morty for season 7, including subtle adjustments to the story and the decision to give minor characters more prominent roles in standalone episodes. It remains unclear whether these changes were a result of Roiland's departure or if they were planned beforehand.

Was Justin Roiland Recast In Any Other Shows?

The focal point of the Justin Roiland controversy has primarily centered around the animated series Rick and Morty. However, it is worth noting that Roiland has also played a significant role in several other animated shows. In 2020, he had a hand in co-creating the series Solar Opposites. However, following the allegations against him, Roiland was swiftly removed from the show and replaced by Dan Stevens, who chose to put his own spin on the character rather than imitate Roiland's performance. Additionally, Roiland's notable portrayal as Lemongrab in the Adventure Time franchise underwent a recasting. Drag icon Jinx Monsoon took over the role of the shrill citrus-based character. As of now, Roiland has not been recast in any other roles. However, it seems highly likely that any character previously portrayed by Roiland will either be completely scrapped or undergo a significant reimagining.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the recasting of Rick and Morty. On the one hand, I understand the need to protect Roiland's voice and to ensure the show's continuity. On the other hand, I am concerned about how the new actors will affect the show's dynamic and humor. I am also curious to see how the storyline will develop in the absence of Roiland's creative input.

Overall, I am cautiously optimistic about the future of Rick and Morty. I believe that the new actors have the potential to bring fresh energy to the show, and I am excited to see what they will do with the characters. I am also hopeful that the show will continue to explore the complex and thought-provoking themes that have made it so popular with fans.