Rick & Morty Season 7's Bold Reimagining: A Brilliant Approach to Recasting Justin Roiland

Summary

The decision to replace Justin Roiland with sound-alike voice actors in Rick and Morty season 7 is viewed as a missed opportunity for the show to reinvent itself and deviate from its established formula. Ignoring Roiland's departure and failing to address the shift in the show's meta-humor style not only risks inconsistency but also brings more attention to the situation of recasting.

The decision to replace Justin Roiland with sound-alike voice actors for Rick and Morty season 7 has raised concerns among fans. There are several reasons why this news is seen as unfavorable. Firstly, it may risk reducing the beloved characters of Rick and Morty to mere caricatures, potentially resulting in episodes that feel overly silly and lacking the show's usual balance of comedy. Additionally, the situation surrounding Justin Roiland's departure from the show adds complexity to this change. In January 2023, Roiland was accused of domestic violence, leading Adult Swim to sever ties with him. Given that Roiland voiced both Rick and Morty in the previous six seasons, finding suitable replacements was no easy task. This has prompted online debates among viewers regarding how the creative team should handle this transition, some suggesting that it should be ignored, while others argue that it should be directly addressed.

While addressing the need to handle Roiland's replacement(s), the creators of Rick and Morty season 7 have no intention of making it a focal point in future episodes. During San Diego Comic-Con 2023, Steven Levy, the executive producer of the show, revealed that "sound-alikes" would be lending their voices to Rick and Morty in upcoming episodes. Levy emphasized that the characters would remain unchanged, stating, "no change." Despite the positive response from attendees at SDCC, opting for voice actors who sound like Roiland may not be the optimal direction for the show to pursue.

6 Rick & Morty’s Meta Nature Makes Roiland’s Exit Harder To Explain

Rick and Morty is far from your average cartoon comedy. This sci-fi satire takes self-reference to a whole new level with frequent fourth-wall breaks and self-reflexive humor. While sometimes these meta-moments are just passing remarks about the network or the show itself, there are also episodes that dive deeply into ambitious meta-storytelling. This playful and self-aware tone not only allowed Roiland's other show Solar Opposites to poke fun at the actor's departure, but it also makes it impossible for Rick and Morty season 7 to simply overlook Roiland's sudden replacement. The show cannot abandon its self-referential style, even when faced with inconveniences.

In the past, Rick and Morty has consistently acknowledged its status as a TV show, so it would be inconsistent to ignore this significant casting change. While the change of voice actors does not require the entire series to come to a stop, the new voices of Rick and Morty deserve a mention within the show. Even viewers who are unaware of Roiland's departure will undoubtedly notice the difference in the voices of Rick and Morty. Given that the series has previously criticized its own storytelling, animation, and character work, it is essential to inject some meta-humor regarding Roiland's absence.

5 Roiland’s Rick & Morty Season 7 Recasting Was An Exciting Opportunity

With the recasting of the title characters, Rick and Morty season 7 had endless possibilities for exploring new paths. A perfect example of handling a recast can be seen in Big Mouth season 4, where they gracefully introduced a new version of Missy, portrayed by Ayo Edebiri, dedicating an entire episode to address the change rather than concealing it. To truly succeed, Rick and Morty season 7 should break away from its usual traditions and openly acknowledge Roiland's departure. This would serve as a fantastic starting point for a fresh approach.

Attempts to disregard the change appear like an unwillingness to deviate from the established pattern of the show, and that is disheartening. The replacement of Slate with a new actor in Big Mouth served as a catalyst for the show to explore uncharted territory. Taking into consideration the harsh criticism received by Rick and Morty season 6, episode 9, "A Rick in King Mortur's Mort," it is evident that season 7 of the series requires a similar overhaul of its prevailing norms. Initially, Roiland's departure provided the opportunity for the series to revolutionize its formula, but it seems that this chance has been wasted.

4 Replicating Rick & Morty’s Voices Won’t Be Easy

Imitating Roiland’s delivery is a formidable task for any voice actor, made even more challenging by the show's refusal to acknowledge the difference between the characters in seasons 6 and 7. Edebiri's portrayal of Missy diverged from Slate's, granting the new cast member the opportunity to infuse the role with her own unique style. Had the Big Mouth writing team chosen to overlook the substantial changes taking place behind the scenes, Edebiri may not have been able to bring her nuanced performance and personal brand of humor to the character. Ironically, the Rick and Morty team's insistence on disregarding this change only serves to attract more attention to it.

3 Rick & Morty's Recasting Plan Actually Makes Roiland's Exit A Bigger Issue

2 Ignoring Rick & Morty's Recasting Wastes A Great Joke

The avoidance of acknowledging Roiland's departure in Rick and Morty season 7 suggests a lack of confidence in exploring new and daring directions for the series. By intentionally ignoring the issue, it amplifies the significance of Roiland's absence, whereas addressing the change within the show would have minimized the impact of the recasting. Interestingly, Rick and Morty already has an in-universe explanation for the voice actor switch, presenting an opportunity to humorously acknowledge the alteration and quickly move forward.

An opportunity to bring in celebrity guest stars and inject fresh voices into Rick and Morty was missed in season 7. The show has previously dabbled in this concept, with the episode "Mortyplicity" exploring the idea of alternate realities and multiple versions of the titular characters. Despite this setup, the seventh season fails to seize the chance to shake things up and introduce new voice actors for Rick and Morty.

1 Rick & Morty Risks Parodying Itself By Using Sound-Alikes

Many of the popular imitators of Rick and Morty excel at satirizing Roiland's exaggerated performances. Hiring actors who sound like him runs the risk of reducing the characters to their most exaggerated and cartoonish selves. Consequently, this could lead to episodes that feel overly broad and silly, lacking the usual blend of chaotic improvisation and controlled comedy that defines the show. The biggest flaw in Rick and Morty season 6 was its failure to approach the dramatic Rick Prime story with the seriousness it deserved. If season 7 continues to prioritize exaggerated and goofier versions of the main characters, this issue could be even more pronounced.