The Boy and the Heron – After a decade-long hiatus, the Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki is making a grand return to feature filmmaking with ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ As we eagerly await its release, GKIDS, the American distributor of the film, has unveiled the impressive English voice cast, and it’s a celebration of diverse talent.
A Dual Language Treat for Fans
Much like many recent anime releases, ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ an upcoming Studio Ghibli masterpiece, will offer viewers the choice to watch it in its original Japanese language with English subtitles or an English language dub. Are you curious to discover the talented voices behind the characters in the English version of ‘The Boy and the Heron’? Hint: Batman makes an appearance!
Introducing the Star-Studded English Voice Cast
But before we dive into the details of the movie’s plot and its release date, let’s meet the remarkable English voice cast for ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ This highly anticipated film, once rumored to be Miyazaki’s final masterpiece, features Hollywood A-listers like Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, and Mark Hamill.
Here’s the complete list of voice actors:
- Luca Padovan as Mahito Maki, the protagonist.
- Christian Bale as Shoichi Maki, Mahito’s father.
- Dave Bautista as the Parakeet King.
- Florence Pugh as Kiriko.
- Gemma Chan as Natsuko, Mahito’s aunt.
- Willem Dafoe as Noble Pelican.
- Robert Pattinson as the Gray Heron.
- Karen Fukuhara as Lady Himi.
- Mark Hamill as Granduncle.
- Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolri, and Dan Stevens as the Parakeets.
The English-language dub was brought to life under the SAG-AFTRA Foreign Dubbing Agreement.
Exploring the Film’s Plot
Now, let’s delve into the enchanting world of ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ Penned and directed by the legendary Miyazaki, this semi-autobiographical story follows the life of a 12-year-old boy named Mahito Maki. After a tragic incident that claimed his mother’s life in a fire-bombing, Mahito is sent to live with his aunt, Natsuko, in a serene countryside dwelling by his father, Shoichi.
In this peaceful place, Mahito becomes entranced by a heron and decides to follow it through a tunnel. Emerging from the tunnel into a magnificent hall, he encounters an illusion of his mother. Guided by the heron, he embarks on a journey through an imaginative wonderland that bridges the realms of the living and the departed.
Mark Your Calendar
As we anticipate the release of ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ mark the date. Both the Japanese and English-language versions of this Studio Ghibli masterpiece are scheduled for a theatrical release on December 8, 2023. Get ready to embark on a magical adventure that transcends language and age, brought to life by a stellar cast and the unparalleled storytelling of Hayao Miyazaki.
With ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ Studio Ghibli promises another timeless masterpiece, and the English voice cast adds a layer of excitement. The film’s plot is a touching narrative that will capture hearts, and its release date is just around the corner. As fans, we can’t help but feel the anticipation building as we await the cinematic magic that awaits us.
