The English voice cast for “The Boy and the Heron” has been officially unveiled, and it boasts a lineup of top-tier talent. The latest creation from Studio Ghibli, previously rumored to be the last project from the legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, features an ensemble including Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, and Mark Hamill, among others.
Here’s the complete list of the cast, revealed earlier today:
- Christian Bale as Shoichi Maki
- Dave Bautista as The Parakeet King
- Gemma Chan as Natsuko
- Willem Dafoe as Noble Pelican
- Karen Fukuhara as Lady Himi
- Mark Hamill as Granduncle
- Robert Pattinson as The Gray Heron
- Florence Pugh as Kiriko
Christian Bale takes the lead in the film, portraying protagonist Shoichi Maki, who is the father of young Mahito Maki.
Many of the actors involved in the production have previous experience in voice acting. Christian Bale had a role in “Howl’s Moving Castle” as Howl, and Florence Pugh starred in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Mark Hamill, a renowned voice actor, is well-known for his iconic portrayal of the Joker in “Batman: The Animated Series” and numerous other projects.
“The Boy and the Heron” is set in the backdrop of World War II, following Mahito Maki as he embarks on a journey into an alternate world filled with Ghibli’s trademark enchanting imagery. We reviewed the film during the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and praised it as the “ultimate statement” from Miyazaki.
“It’s Studio Ghibli’s most visually complex film to date, while also contemplating the legacy of a legendary filmmaker and the world he is leaving behind. It serves as an ultimate statement from Miyazaki, and the perfect coda to his career,” we wrote.
However, despite “The Boy and the Heron” being heralded as Miyazaki’s final work, it appears the revered master isn’t quite ready to retire just yet. Indeed, it seems like it was another one of his retirement feints, as reports suggest Miyazaki is already working on his next film.
Even if this isn’t his swan song, it’s another promising Ghibli production with an outstanding cast. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on December 8.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Sandiego Currents journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
