Entertainment
The 'Trolls' Cast Is So Star-Studded
The sensation of turning popular children's toys and games into massive Hollywood films doesn't seem to be slowing down soon. And though some of these endeavors seem, or have proven to be, less than promising — I'm not feeling great about the movie versions of games like Ouija or Battleship — I had to admit that the official photos from upcoming animated film Trolls, based off the bizarre, voluminously coiffed, perma-smiling multicolored Troll Dolls, have me thinking it might be a pretty endearing movie. And the voice cast for Trolls makes it even clearer that this film is one not to miss, and that it's stacked with talent.
Trolls has one deep bench and, to my delight and surprise, it's not just traditional film actors who make up the cast. This movie has some of the most talented big screen stars of the moment, yes, but it also has classic acting veterans, hilarious up-and-coming comedians, some of the music industry's most incredible singers, popular faces from the silver screen, and even an incredibly talented comedian who made her name with YouTube fame. The range represented in this movie is awesome. Good luck figuring out who you're most excited for as you take a look at the folks bringing their vocal chops to this bright and sparkly new film.
Anna Kendrick
Coming off of two 2016 live-action ensembles, The Hollars and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Kendrick takes on voice acting for the second time (she was also in Paranorman) as main character Princess Poppy.
Justin Timberlake
Triple threat Timberlake has done voice acting in the past as Boo Boo in 2010's Yogi Bear and Artie in Shrek the Third. He'll be bringing his smooth pipes to the role of Poppy's worried pal Troll Branch.
John Cleese
The iconic Monty Python comedian and actor will be hamming it up as King Gristle Sr., ruler of a group of creatures called Bergens that only feel joy when they eat a Troll.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Mintz-Plasse continues his futile efforts to be known for any other role as much as he is for Fogell a.k.a. "McLovin" from 2007's Superbad, voicing Gristle Jr., son of King Gristle Sr. (I'm only teasing; Mintz-Plasse has done tons of great work in other films, like Pitch Perfect, This is the End, and the How to Train Your Dragon series.)
Zooey Deschanel
Your favorite New Girl Deschanel is voicing the character of Bridget, a Bergen scullery maid (the Bergens have scullery maids?) who has a crush on Gristle Jr.
Jeffrey Tambor
Taking a lighthearted break from his role as Maura Pfefferman on Amazon's acclaimed television series Transparent, Tambor voices Princess Poppy's father, King Peppy.
Russell Brand
The roguish and oft-X-rated Brand is a surprisingly versatile and popular children's entertainer, and he'll be following up voice roles in Hop and the Despicable Me series with a turn in Trolls as wise Troll Creek.
Christine Baranski
Baranski takes time off between The Good Wife and its recently announced and as-yet-untitled spinoff series to voice the Bergens' chef, known only as Chef.
Kunal Nayyar
Known for his role as the socially awkward but brilliant Raj from The Big Bang Theory, Nayyar will be the voice of a Troll named Guy Diamond, who glitters.
Gwen Stefani
The singer and The Voice judge will be taking on her first film role since 2004's The Aviator, voicing the Trolls resident DJ, DJ Suki.
James Corden
The comedian and host of The Late Late Show With James Corden will voice Biggie Troll.
Ron Funches
The comedian and actor who you may have seen on Undateable or The Kroll Show will be the voice of a Troll named Cooper, who, near as I can tell, has not been given a description yet beyond a photo tweeted by Funches in which Cooper wears a green hat. I already like Cooper.
Quvenzhané Wallis
Young star Wallis, who made a splash in 2012's Beasts of the Southern Wild and has since played the starring role in 2014's Annie, will be voicing the character of Harper.
Grace Helbig
YouTube star Helbig will be voicing a character named Cookie Sugarloaf.
With a voice cast like this, you can't help but want to see what they can do with the fun, rainbow-bright world of Trolls.
Image: 20th Century Fox; Getty Images