Herding a voice cast for a whole flock of wooly characters is no mean feat, but there’s an additional twist to finding the right actors for The Sheep Detectives. Every sheep has its own unique personality, but the actors’ delivery and mannerisms would directly influence how their sheep would be fleshed out through animation.
“We actually capture footage of the actors while they’re recording—multiple angles of their faces,” says
animator Maya Storm Shrestha. “From that, we translate their physical performances into the animation
in a way that balances character expression with how a sheep’s anatomy naturally works.”
In The Sheep Detectives, voices from acclaimed actors like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Rhys Darby, Patrick Stewart, Bryan Cranston, and more give life to a fluffy cast of characters tasked with solving the mysterious death of their beloved shepherd, George (Hugh Jackman). Driven by their shepherd’s nightly detective novel readings to the flock, the wooly investigators try to prove that even sheep can solve the toughest of mysteries.
We start with Lily, the smartest sheep in the group, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Lawful and loyal, she is devoted to George and helms the investigation for the flock. “Lily’s loyalty to George is unbreakable,” says Louis-Dreyfus. “She’s taken what George modeled for her and applies it not only to solving the crime, but to being a kindhearted leader. In doing so, she really addresses her own fears and becomes a better leader.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus voices Lily, and Hugh Jackman as Shepherd George, in “The Sheep Detectives”
The respected elder of the flock is the regal Sir Ritchfield, voiced by Patrick Stewart. As a voice actor, Stewart manages to crack the crew up with his unexpectedly humorous line deliveries. “One of my favorite pieces of voice acting in the movie comes from Patrick Stewart,” says Executive/Animation Producer Tyson Hesse. “We simply asked him to keep repeating the word ‘murderer’ with escalating intensity, and each time it just got funnier and funnier. It became a great unexpected running gag.”
Patrick Stewart voices Sir Ritchfield in “The Sheep Detectives”
Cynical loner Sebastian is voiced by Bryan Cranston. The solitary sheep joined the flock at an older age, and has never truly assimilated. Sebastian’s personality serves as a foil against the rest of the group, which Cranston appreciates. “Sebastian’s perspective is essential to good storytelling,” Cranston says. “You need contrasting viewpoints—something for the character to push against. Otherwise, it’s boring.”
Paired with Lily, Cranston and Louis-Dreyfus channeled past chemistry to give their characters’ relationship authenticity. “Julia and I go way back—to Seinfeld, when our characters dated,” Cranston says. “When you know her voice and the vulnerability she brings, you can feel that rhythm between the characters. It becomes not just Lily and Sebastian, but something more—a relationship that gives the story real heart.”
“The Sheep Detectives” brings mystery and humor to Philippine cinemas on May 6.
Credit: “Columbia Pictures”
