Discover the Enchanting Characters of Hayao Miyazaki's Upcoming Film: 'The Boy and the Heron'
Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh lead an impressive English voice cast in Hayao Miyazaki's upcoming film The Boy and the Heron Joining them are talented actors Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Willem Dafoe, and Dave Bautista, among others Get ready for a captivating tale brought to life by this stellar ensemble
Hayao Miyazaki's artistic brilliance is set to grace screens in North America with the highly anticipated release of his latest creation, The Boy and the Heron. After receiving overwhelming responses at TIFF 2023, New York Film Festival 2023, and other international film festivals, the film is finally ready for its debut this fall. Developed over a decade, The Boy and the Heron, previously titled How Do You Live?, has been eagerly awaited by fans of Studio Ghibli and the celebrated filmmaker. While the film draws inspiration from Genzaburo Yoshino's 1937 novel Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka, it is not a direct adaptation and instead incorporates Miyazaki's personal experiences, resulting in a semi-autobiographical feature. Set in a grand, fantastical setting reminiscent of the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away, the film tells the heartwarming coming-of-age story of Mahito, a 12-year-old boy. Following the sudden death of his mother, Mahito struggles to find his place in a new town until he encounters a talking heron who takes him on a magical journey where life and death intersect.
Upon its release in July 2023 in Japan, the film received critical acclaim, became a massive box office success, and solidified its place as the most expensive film ever produced in Japan, showcasing Miyazaki's signature hand-drawn animation. Prior to its theatrical debut in the US, GKIDS, Studio Ghibli's North American distributor, has unveiled an all-star English voice cast. Some of these cast members have lent their voices to characters in previous Studio Ghibli projects, familiar to fans who have watched English versions of films such as Howl's Moving Castle and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. While audiences await the film's arrival on the big screen, they can discover the cast list and find out which talented actors will be voicing the characters in Miyazaki's 12th film, The Boy and the Heron.
The Boy and the Heron is an animated film set to be released on December 8, 2023. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the movie stars Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Takuya Kimura, and Aimyon. With a PG-13 rating, it has a runtime of 124 minutes. The main genre of the film is animation, while also containing elements of adventure and drama. Hayao Miyazaki serves as the writer of the film, which is produced by Studio Ghibli and Toho Company.
Luca Padovan as Mahito Maki
Image via Nickelodeon
Mahito, the protagonist of the story, is faced with immense grief after his mother's tragic death. Struggling to adjust to his new life in a different town with his father and aunt, he feels a sense of detachment. However, his life takes a transformative turn when he encounters a talking heron who leads him into a magical world where death ceases to exist and life takes on a fresh beginning.
Voiced by Luca Padovan, Mahito Maki is the central character of this captivating tale. Padovan embarked on his acting journey at a tender age, starting with Broadway's highly acclaimed Disney's Newsies: The Musical in 2013. Notably, he gained recognition through his role in Nickelodeon's popular revival television series, Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Ghost Island. Padovan's talents extend to films and television, including appearances in Netflix's You, the CW's musical-comedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Syfy's The Magicians, and the Jennifer Lawrence starrer No Hard Feelings. His voice acting credits include notable animated series like The Rocketeers and Super Wings!
Robert Pattinson as The Grey Heron
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
The heron is the key to The Boy and the Heron, adding a magical element that makes Mahito's story truly captivating. This Grey Heron is the catalyst for Mahito's exploration of the unknown, leading him into a world beyond the ordinary. Though Mahito initially resists the mysterious bird, they eventually become friends and embark on a journey that surpasses their wildest imagination.
Renowned actor Robert Pattinson, known for his role in Twilight, lends his voice to The Grey Heron. With a diverse filmography including Tenet and The Batman, Pattinson has established himself as an international star. His impressive career encompasses both blockbuster franchises and independent films, with notable works such as Cosmopolis, The Lost City of Z, Good Time, The Devil All the Time, and The Lighthouse. Pattinson's next venture is Bong Joon-Ho's upcoming sci-fi film, Mickey 17, where he stars alongside Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.
Gemma Chan as Natsuko
Image via Focus Features
Natsuko, Mahito's aunt, marries his father after his mother's death, resulting in a strained relationship between Mahito and his aunt.
Gemma Chan, an English actor known for her role in Crazy Rich Asians, provides the voice for Natsuko. Besides her impressive work in Jon M. Chu's rom-com, Chan has delivered notable performances in various films such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Mary Queen of Scots, Don't Worry Darling, and Let Them All Talk. She has also appeared in television series like Doctor Who and Extrapolations. Additionally, Chan has starred in Marvel's Eternals and Captain Marvel, which earned her a nomination at the National Film Awards UK. Her next project is the upcoming film The Actor, directed by Duke Johnson.
Christian Bale as Shoichi Maki
Image via Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures
Shoichi, Mahito's father, is portrayed by Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Christian Bale. He is known to be very protective of his son. Shoichi is the owner of an air munitions factory and, following the death of his wife, he marries her younger sister, Natsuko. The Boy and Heron is Bale's second involvement with Studio Ghilbi, having previously voiced the character Howl Pendragon in the English dub of Howl's Moving Castle in 2004. Bale gained fame for his breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun in 1988, and has since received acclaim for his performances in films such as American Psycho, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy, The Machinist, American Hustle, and Ford v Ferrari. He won his only Academy Award and Golden Globe for his portrayal of Dicky Eklund in 2010's The Fighter. Bale has also taken on the roles of actor and producer in the films Pale Blue Eyes and Amsterdam, both released in 2022.
Karen Fukuhara as Lady Himi
Lady Himi is a crucial character in Mahito's story, although we won't reveal too much about her to avoid spoilers. She is a young girl with magical abilities who aids Mahito as he embarks on his mesmerizing journey. Karen Fukuhara, known for her role in Suicide Squad, lends her voice to Lady Himi in her most recent project following Bullet Train. Fukuhara has also portrayed Kimiko in the Prime Video series The Boys and has provided voice performances in Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Craig of the Creek, and Netflix's She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
Florence Pugh as Kiriko
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Kiriko, the character from the enchanted realm, is both a pirate and a sailor. In this mystical world, Mahito finds himself after following The Grey Heron. Florence Pugh, the Academy Award and BAFTA-nominated actress, lends her voice to Kiriko. Notable for her exceptional portrayal in the historical drama Lady Macbeth, Pugh's impressive body of work also encompasses renowned films and shows like Midsommar, Little Women (2019), A Good Person, MCU's Black Widow and Hawkeye, and most recently, Oppenheimer. Pugh's upcoming projects include Dune: Part Two and We Live in Time, where she is set to captivate audiences once again.
Mark Hamill as Granduncle
Image via Lucasfilm
As Mahito embarks on his quest, he encounters the esteemed Granduncle, an incredibly influential and talented architect representing the enchanting realm. Mark Hamill, renowned for his extraordinary five-decade-spanning acting career in movies, television, and theater, lends his voice to bring this significant character to life. Hamill is widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, as well as his notable performances in various films and series like Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Flash, and Criminal Minds. Additionally, his exceptional voice acting skills have garnered praise and acclaim.
Willem Dafoe as Noble Pelican
He had previously lent his voice to characters in earlier Ghibli films, such as Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Starting from 2021, Hamill has been lending his voice to characters in Invincible and The Sandman, and he will return to voice the character of Skeletor in Netflix's Masters of the Universe: Revolution. Additionally, he will make an appearance in Mike Flanagan's upcoming film, The Life of Chuck.
Warner Brothers
In addition to a cast of enchanting characters, Noble Pelican is voiced by Academy Award-nominated actor Willem Dafoe in the film. The Boy and the Heron is the seventh of Spider-Man star's films in 2023, which also include the thrilling psychological movie Inside, Wes Anderson's Asteroid City, and the upcoming Poor Things. Dafoe's future projects include the highly anticipated Beetlejuice 2 directed by Tim Burton and Robert Eggers' Nosferatu.
Dave Bautista as Parakeet King
Dave Bautista, known for his role as the Parakeet King, leads a group of infamous parakeets. The former professional wrestler and star of Guardians of the Galaxy has recently appeared in M. Night Shyamalan's Knock at the Cabin, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Parachute. Bautista is set to star in upcoming films such as Dune: Part Two, My Spy: The Eternal City, and The Killer's Game.
