It’s been almost six months since Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland was fired from the show after allegations of domestic violence and creepy messages to underage girls were uncovered. The case was eventually dismissed, but the damage was done. Now showrunners are ready to move on with a new voice for the show.
Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen and executive producer Steve Levy went to France for the Annecy Animation Film Festival, and held a panel called “Rick and Morty: 10 years of intergalactic adventures.” In an interview with the French magazine Premiere, they revealed plans for the future.
First, we find out that all of the voices done by Roiland will be “replaced in dubbing.” Will it be people just imitating his voice? Not really, at least not in the eyes of showrunners. Here’s what Ouweleen said about it:
“[The] idea is that we feel that they are the same characters. Listen: voices are obviously super important in an animated series. And, of course, none of us wanted to go through what we went through. But I’ve been in animation for a long time, and I know that what makes a series is its different parts coming together. If the voices are obviously a big part, there is also the writing of the characters, their design… I have reason to believe that the transition will go well.”
Levy added that he believes the writing quality in the show has “never been better” and that none of the screenwriters left the show after Roiland. “I don’t think anyone will bat an eyelid hearing the new voices.”
The goal, they said, would be for someone who doesn’t really know that Roiland is gone not even to realize it’s someone else. Right now, they’re actively searching for Roiland’s replacement, but Ouweleen said “it looks good” and likened the situation to that of another famous animated character who gets a new voice actor regularly.
“[The] idea is that we feel that they are the same characters. Listen: voices are obviously super important in an animated series. And, of course, none of us wanted to go through what we went through. But I’ve been in animation for a long time, and I know that what makes a series is its different parts coming together. If the voices are obviously a big part, there is also the writing of the characters, their design… I have reason to believe that the transition will go well.”
He does make a pretty good point. No one’s going to stop watching the show because Roiland is gone — well, except perhaps for Roiland himself.
We don’t have any concrete word on when the newest season of Rick and Morty will air, but Roiland’s departure probably bumped the release schedule. We will definitely keep you posted on this one.