Rick & Morty Creator Addresses Online Backlash Surrounding Recasting Choices
The online frenzy over the recasting of Rick and Morty characters has stirred mixed emotions Find out why this decision is a double-edged sword for the show's future
Article Overview
Rick and Morty creator Dan Harmon believes that the majority of viewers are satisfied with the casting choices for season 7.
While some individuals argue that the new voices display distinct changes, Harmon acknowledges their opinions while noting that the majority of viewers are embracing the cast and maintaining the belief that the characters remain lively. The deliberate choice to employ two actors for Rick and Morty, along with the recruitment of additional voice actors for recurring roles, underscores the difficulty in replacing the absence of Justin Roiland.
Rick and Morty creator Dan Harmon shares his thoughts on the online discussions surrounding the recasting of season 7. Prior to the season's premiere, the sitcom faced difficulties as former star and co-creator Justin Roiland was removed from the show due to allegations of sexual abuse and a toxic work environment. After an extensive audition process, Ian Cardoni was chosen to voice Rick, while Harry Belden was selected for the role of Morty. Now, Harmon responds to viewers' reactions regarding the new voice actors for Rick and Morty season 7.
In an interview with io9, Harmon expresses his belief that the majority of viewers are generally satisfied with the casting decisions. However, he acknowledges that there is a group of individuals who insist that the voices are noticeably and detrimentally different. Harmon's complete statement can be found below:
The silent majority and healthy majority believe that this is the best possible outcome.
The objective from the beginning was to ensure the characters remain alive. Fans of the show are invested in the characters and simply want to continue watching and feel their presence. We have succeeded in accomplishing that goal. Some individuals, however, display an intense devotion and insistence that slight variations in the voices are unacceptable and catastrophic. Nevertheless, the majority of people are saying, "It still sounds like Rick and Morty, so let's continue."
Why Rick and Morty’s Casting Decision Is A Blessing and a Curse
In an effort to address the challenges of recasting for Rick and Morty season 7, the decision was made to hire two actors for the roles of Rick and Morty, rather than relying on a single talent. Additionally, the show opted to bring in other voice actors for recurring characters, such as Mr. Poopybutthole, rather than placing additional pressure on Cardoni and Belden to play multiple roles. While this approach allows each cast member to focus on their specific characters and be more proactive, it also underscores the significant gap left by Roiland's absence.
Casting soundalikes is always a challenging task due to the inevitable comparisons between the original and the new. This has been evident in the recasting of Rick and Morty, as some viewers have noticed discrepancies in the characters' tone and voice delivery. Despite the expected criticism, Rick and Morty will proceed with this new casting era as season 7 continues to air on Adult Swim. Catch new episodes of Rick and Morty season 7 every Sunday at 11 PM Eastern.
Source: io9
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the recasting of Rick and Morty. On the one hand, I understand that it was necessary to replace Justin Roiland after the allegations against him came to light. On the other hand, I'm not sure if the new voice actors are quite right for the roles.
Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden are both talented voice actors, but they don't quite have the same chemistry as Roiland and Sarah Chalke. The new voices are a bit too different from the originals, and it's a bit jarring to hear them. I'm also not sure if the new actors are able to capture the same emotional depth as Roiland and Chalke.
That said, I'm willing to give the new cast a chance. I'm hoping that they'll be able to grow into the roles and make them their own. I'm also hoping that the writers will be able to find ways to work with the new cast's strengths.
Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic about the future of Rick and Morty. I'm not sure if the show will ever be quite the same without Roiland, but I'm hoping that the new cast and writers will be able to keep the show fresh and funny.
