Chris Pratt Talks Transforming Voices for Iconic Animated Roles

From Emmet to Mario to Garfield, Pratt Discusses Crafting Unique Character Voices

Chris Pratt has become synonymous with lending his voice to beloved animated characters in recent years, from Emmet in The Lego Movie to Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and now to Garfield in the upcoming Garfield Movie. Each character presents a new challenge for Pratt: how to make each voice distinct and memorable.

At the Los Angeles premiere of Garfield, Pratt shared his insights with The Hollywood Reporter on how he approached voicing these iconic roles. Reflecting on his portrayal of Emmet, Pratt explained, “I aimed at something that was different than myself — it was kind of inspired a lot by Bill Hader’s voice and his character in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” For Mario, Pratt noted the need to avoid mimicking the game’s hardcore Mario voice, opting instead for a unique interpretation.

Director Mark Dindal’s vision for Garfield was clear to Pratt from the start. Dindal envisioned Pratt’s voice as a perfect fit for the famous fat cat, drawing from Pratt’s familiar Andy Dwyer persona from Parks and Recreation. “So the early stuff [in the movie] is kind of this Andy Dwyer voice version of myself,” Pratt elaborated. However, as the plot intensifies and Garfield is thrust into an unexpected adventure, Pratt’s voice shifts to convey urgency and determination.

The Garfield Movie promises a fresh take on the classic character, pushing Garfield out of his comfort zone into a daring escapade alongside his long-lost father Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) and loyal companion Odie (voiced by Harvey Guillén). Hannah Waddingham, known for her role in Ted Lasso, voices the villainous feline Jinx in the film.

Reflecting on his approach to Garfield’s voice, Pratt emphasized the director’s desire for authenticity: “It was basically just using my own voice and trying to be honest and be real.” This direction resonated with Pratt, who embraced the opportunity to infuse Garfield with his natural persona.

Ahead of the movie’s premiere, Garfield, Pratt, Waddingham, and creator Jim Davis participated in a paw print ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre, cementing Garfield’s legacy in Hollywood history.

The Garfield Movie arrives in theaters this Friday, promising audiences a new dimension to the beloved lasagna-loving cat’s adventures.