MOVIE NEWS – Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave, A Quiet Place: Day One) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars) lend their voices to characters in the animated film The Wild Robot.

Hamill himself campaigned to join the cast, having been completely captivated by the beautifully illustrated children’s book that the film is based on. In The Wild Robot, Roz (voiced by Nyong’o) finds herself on an uninhabited island where animals teach her survival skills and, more importantly, the significance of emotions and the beauty of having a loving family. Hamill voices Thornt, a fearsome yet compassionate grizzly bear. The project reminds Hamill of his Star Wars days.

“The Wild Robot is like Star Wars was back then, a profound journey into a galaxy to explore,” said the actor at the recent Comic-Con. “Back in 1977, I had to explain to the audience who hadn’t seen the movie what they were about to experience. I was gesticulating wildly, talking about the stunning visuals, the emotional flow, and how the story worked on multiple levels. Kids would love it, but so would their parents. When I heard that a film was being made from Peter Brown’s book, I thought if they could capture even a fraction of that, it would be a success. Now I can say that the creators have done a fantastic job, and The Wild Robot is a marvel as a film.”

Outside the U.S., few people realize that Mark Hamill is one of the most sought-after voice actors in Hollywood due to his remarkable versatility, frequently lending his voice to video game characters. He has appeared in over 350 productions, earning an impressive three million dollars annually from this invisible work.

(The Wild Robot – U.S. release: October 24, 2024)