Elysian Film Group has announced the English voice cast for acclaimed Oscar-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s new feature, THE BOY AND THE HERON.
The English language dubbed version of the film will feature the voices of Christian Bale (Ford v Ferrari, Amsterdam, The Pale Blue Eye), Dave Bautista (Dune, Guardians of the Galaxy), Gemma Chan (The Creator, Eternals, Crazy Rich Asians), Willem Dafoe (At Eternity’s Gate, The Florida Project), Karen Fukuhara (The Boys, Suicide Squad), Mark Hamill (The Machine, House of Usher), Robert Pattinson (The Batman, Tenet, upcoming Mickey 17), and Florence Pugh (Oppenheimer, Black Widow, Little Women). Luca Padovan joins the cast as Mahito Maki, and Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolori, and Dan Stevens are featured as the Parakeets.
US distributor GKIDS handled casting and produced the English version in close consultation with Studio Ghibli, with ADR direction by Michael Sinterniklaas at NYAV Post, and English script adaptation by Stephanie Sheh. The English language dub was produced in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA Foreign Dubbing Agreement.
Elysian Film Group will bring THE BOY AND THE HERON to cinemas nationwide on Boxing Day, December 26, 2023 in both the original Japanese and English language versions.
The hand-drawn, animated feature – director Miyazaki’s first feature film in 10 years – is an original story written and directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, produced by Academy Award-nominee and co-founder Toshio Suzuki, and featuring a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. Its theme song, “Spinning Globe,” was written and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.
THE BOY AND THE HERON made its international premiere as Opening Night Gala of the 48th Toronto International Film Festival on September 7.
Bale is represented by WME, Viewpoint and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Bautista is repped by CAA, Meisner Entertainment Group’s Jonathan Meisner, Kovert Creative and Jackoway Austen Tyerman’s Karl Austen. Chan is represented by Independent, WME and M88. Dafoe is represented by Circle of Confusion, WME and Narrative. Fukuhara is represented by UTA and Stride Management. Hamill is represented by Gersh, R&CPMK and Robert M. Lange. Pattinson is represented by WME, Curtis Brown, 3 Arts Entertainment, Narrative and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Pugh is represented by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Shelter PR and Gregory Slewett from JSSK.
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Shoichi Maki |
Christian Bale |
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The Parakeet King |
Dave Bautista |
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Natsuko |
Gemma Chan |
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Noble Pelican |
Willem Dafoe |
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Lady Himi |
Karen Fukuhara |
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Granduncle |
Mark Hamill |
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The Gray Heron |
Robert Pattinson |
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Kiriko |
Florence Pugh
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About Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike over the last 30 years with beloved stories and breath-taking visuals.
Under the brilliance of visionary animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki, the studio’s films are known for timeless classics such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Ponyo; and have won countless international awards including an Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away, as well as five additional Oscar® nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There, and The Red Turtle.
Director and studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki was separately given an Honorary Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards in 2014, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures paid tribute to his artwork with a special exhibit when the Museum opened in September 2021.
About Elysian Film Group
Industry veteran Danny Perkins founded Elysian Film Group in 2018. The company has several feature film and television projects in active development.
In early 2020, the company launched Elysian Film Group Distribution, a brand-new UK distribution arm, with backing from CAA.
Perkins has over two decades of experience in the international film business, spanning all aspects of the industry including development, production, acquisition, marketing and distribution. He co-founded UK indie Optimum Releasing in 1999, which was acquired by the Vivendi-owned STUDIOCANAL in 2006. He then assumed the role of UK CEO for the company in 2010 and departed in 2018 to form Elysian Film Group.
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