Highlights
The new Rick and Morty voice actors sound virtually identical to the original, proving the versatility of the voice acting community.
Ian Cardoni, renowned for his wrestling stints, assumes the character of Rick, while Harry Belden, having previously appeared on television, portrays Morty.
In light of slight variations, it is imperative for fans to wholeheartedly embrace the new voice actors and rally behind abuse victims, ensuring they receive the rightful justice they deserve.
The new voice actors for Rick and Morty were unveiled in the show's 7th season premiere on Adult Swim. Thankfully, they sound almost identical to the original voices, presumably without any negative associations. However, who is actually responsible for the new voices?
After numerous allegations of abuse surfaced against Justin Roiland, the co-creator of Rick and Morty, it was swiftly announced that the show would sever ties with him and recast the lead roles. Surprisingly, less than a year later, the new season has arrived on schedule, with the replacements seamlessly stepping into their roles. One might have expected the series to face challenges in finding individuals capable of capturing the unique voices of these beloved characters. However, it is important not to underestimate the extraordinary versatility of voice actors within the community.
As Deadline noted, Rick and Morty season 7 enlisted impressive newcomers to portray the characters. The role of the mad scientist and cautionary figure, Rick Sanchez, is now skillfully portrayed by Ian Cardoni, known for his performance in Clear History. Meanwhile, Harry Belden from Christmas Again takes on the neurotic yet surprisingly romantically successful character of Morty Smith. Fans who have seen the season 7 premiere or the trailer have already witnessed the seamless fit of these actors in their new roles. However, where else might fans recognize them from?
Both actors replacing Roiland on Rick and Morty in response to the allegations are relatively unknown in the field, which is a refreshing departure from the common practice of hiring celebrities who vaguely resemble the desired character. However, this does not mean they lack experience in the industry. Wrestling fans may already be familiar with Cardoni due to his appearances at Wrestlemania 36 and Wrestlemania 37, where he impersonated Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, garnering notoriety. Interestingly, listening to those appearances reveals a clear resemblance to Rick's voice.
Belden, on the other hand, has made guest appearances on various television shows over the past few years, including Joe Pera Talks with You, Chicago Med, Proven Innocent, and his role as Will in Disney's Christmas Again from 2021. In his portrayal of Morty alongside Cardoni's Rick, he has flawlessly captured the character's trademark nervousness. Given that the show revolves around the titular duo embarking on time, space, and dimension-hopping adventures with often calamitous and dark outcomes, the versatility demonstrated by both actors will be a valuable addition.
There is still some time left before Rick and Morty comes to an end, allowing Cardoni and Belden ample opportunity to demonstrate why they deserve to remain. While some fans may harbor resentment towards the slight variations in the new performances compared to Roiland's, it is essential to prioritize the needs of abuse victims by acknowledging and validating their experiences. This may require certain changes, but it is a worthwhile endeavor to provide them with the justice and closure they rightly deserve. Hopefully, any undecided fans will soon realize the potential that Cardoni and Belden bring to the show. New episodes of Rick and Morty can be watched on Sundays on Cartoon Network.
Source: Deadline