The Shocking Truth Behind Rick & Morty's Unprecedented Recasting!
Discover the genius behind Rick & Morty's bold recasting decision! Delve into the captivating reasons why Dan Harmon & the EP made this game-changing move in season 7 Immerse yourself in the ever-evolving world of Rick & Morty on Adult Swim
Summary
The decision to cast two voice actors in the roles of Rick and Morty was made in order to split the workload and prevent one actor from experiencing strain.
Co-creator Harmon believes that by utilizing two actors with similar voices, it will minimize any disturbance for fans and maintain their belief in the characters.
Opting for two actors instead of one relieves the burden of replicating Roiland's vocal accomplishments, thereby enabling a fresh interpretation of the characters.
Co-creator Dan Harmon and EP Scott Marder discuss the decision to recast the main characters of Rick & Morty with two voice actors. Justin Roiland, who co-created the popular Adult Swim animated series with Harmon, had previously provided the voices for both mad scientist Rick and his grandson Morty. However, Roiland was fired earlier this year following allegations of sexual misconduct, resulting in the loss of not only a co-creator but also the voice behind two iconic pop culture characters. After months of anticipation, Adult Swim finally announced in September that the lead characters of its flagship show would now be voiced by two new actors who closely resemble Roiland's original performances.
With the premiere of Rick and Morty season 7, the two new actors, Ian Cardoni as Rick and Harry Belden as Morty, have been revealed. This allows fans to form their own opinions on whether these replacements measure up to Roiland. In a recent interview with THR, co-creator Harmon and EP Marder discussed their decision to cast two actors instead of one to voice both main characters. They wanted to split the workload while maintaining the audience's belief in the characters. Harmon and Marder explain their reasoning below:
Marder: Yes, there were different opinions on this matter. Considering the quality of life, it would be easier to have separate actors for the amount of work required for both characters. Over the years, we observed how the workload took a toll on Roiland's voice. It didn't seem fair to continue putting that strain on one person.
Recasting Rick and Morty With Two Actors Was the Right Move
In hindsight, it is also clever as we aim to ensure minimal interruption to the fan experience. Strangely enough, indulging in the idea of a single individual, an auteur, being replaced will only contribute to the disruptive element. Our utmost desire is for individuals to continue believing in the authenticity of these characters.
The remarkable acrobatics performed by the original actor Roiland, sometimes with the aid of alcohol, in order to bring to life the distinct characters of Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith have achieved legendary status. Marder believes that this demanding performance took a toll on Roiland over the years. Thus, it is logical that Rick and Morty would choose to hire two actors instead of one as a replacement for the co-creator/actor. By splitting these responsibilities between two actors, the pressure to emulate Roiland's vocal feats as he developed his characters and established the show's unique rhythms is alleviated.
It remains to be seen if the core of Rick & Morty will stay true with Roiland no longer providing the voices for the characters. However, the decision to replace him with two actors, instead of relying on one person entirely, is a sensible one. Time will tell if Cardoni and Belden can effectively uphold the belief that Rick and Morty are real individuals, as Harmon desires.
