When making a movie, it is imperative to pick the right cast. Netflix’s The Sea Beast filmmakers talk about getting the perfect cast in this interview.
Netflix’s newest animated film, The Sea Beast, sails to the streaming platform on July 8th, and during the long lead press day interview Producer Jed Schlanger discussed bringing together the perfect cast. As with any movie, the story is best told when you have the right people to do it. This is true in both live action and animated films. The Sea Beast has an incredible cast, and they all bring something special to the table and to their characters.
The Sea Beast is a story that takes place during an era when terrifying beasts roamed the seas. Monster hunters dedicated their lives to stopping these creatures – and the great Jacob Holland was the most beloved of them all. In this movie, Jacob crosses paths with young Maisie Brumble when she stows away on this ship, The Inevitable. Together they embark on an epic journey into uncharted waters.
The Sea Beast: Picking The Perfect Cast
“One of the major collaborators that we always have on animated films are actors. And we were so lucky and thankful to have such a talented and committed and giving group.” – Jed Schlanger
Jacob Holland is voiced by Karl Urban, who Schlanger says would always go above and beyond in the recording booth. Jacob goes through a lot in this film, but his strength and his confidence and his warmth are always present. Karl brings a lot of the same qualities that Jacob has along with him. He has this this toughness, but he’s confident. He has an amazing self deprecating sense of humor.
There’s so much of this film where Jacob is being questioned or being catapulted — it goes from one dangerous thing to the next. But there’s so much of the movie that actually goes his way, or the way he wants things to go. It is very important and wonderful to have somebody like Karl who is carrying that through into the part, and finding that timing in the recording booth.
“That timing is then getting translated by our animation team. It’s breathing life into Jacob. It’s so much fun to watch. Then you have Karl, who’s this this amazingly giving guy and he’s in the recording booth and his warmth and his strength and his good natured flummox is always on display and coming through, He was an unbelievable workhorse for us, because obviously, he has a lot of lines. But any sound that Jacob makes, is basically Karl making that sound. So we have tons of vocalizations and efforts and things that he needs to provide. Because Jacob is shouting orders, he’s hanging from ropes, he’s throwing lances, he’s almost getting swallowed multiple times by sea monsters — Karl is so unbelievably spent at the end of every session, but he was incredibly giving and finding things for us all the time. He was always ready for the next one. He had ideas and he came in and just delivered for us.” – Jed Schlanger
Maisie is a major part of the story as well. She is bright, determined, and strong — but still a child. SO in casting an actor to play her voice, the team wanted to make sure she was an actual child. In The Sea Beast, she’s questioning fundamental things in her life. Zaris-Angel Hator is beyond her years and helped to layer Maisie.
“She was giving us glimpses of what Maisie could be. And then when we started to record with her, we realized that we were dealing with an actress that was so sophisticated and beyond her years. Zaris’ ability to produce such a layered approach really pushed this character in a compelling way. It was this this truthful depth that I thought she provided. She was quick witted and focused and she’s passionate and dignified, and it means he has all the strength but she’s also still so vulnerable. Zaris-Angel was able to find those layers and keep them so honest and so truthful. There’s no Maisie without her, frankly.” – Jed Schlanger
As for Captain Crow, when The Sea Beast starts, he is on a collision course with his destiny. His rage and his vengeance is what is motivating him. Schlanger wanted to make sure he comes off as a bad guy that doesn’t feel like “just” a bad guy. It was important for the audience to connect with him and feel empathy for him. Jared Harris voices Captain Crow and the team had nothing but great things to say about him.
“Essentially, through his relationship with Jacob, we start to reveal his vulnerabilities. Jared Harris is such an amazing actor. he was able to play these contradictions and find this emotional depth and this resonance that created somebody that was way more than a bad guy. Jared takes Crowe to this level where his pain, his triumph his anguish — it’s all just below the surface. We’re so thrilled with Garrett’s take on Crow. His efforts make him so complex, but still so real and yet still live as this mythical character in our world, who’s just incredible.” – Jed Schlanger
Sarah Sharp is the fabled first mate of the ship and she’s a very interesting character. She’s got a wry sense of humor. She is confident and her wisdom is unparalleled, but she is open enough to see her life through a new lens as the story goes on. Marianne Jean-Baptiste has a calming presence and helped the team to really find Sarah.
“Finding somebody to embody all of that, it’s not easy. But of course, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who played Sarah, she made it look easy. When we were recording with her, she has this amazing, steady, calming presence. And she really brought that to Sarah — really breathed life into Sarah. She really helped us find Sarah and who she could be in our film. She had this strong foundation that she provided for animation that they could really jump off from and own and take and make Sarah something special. She has this tough exterior that Marianne brought, but offered this compassionate person underneath — someone who would sacrifice their well being for others, but is still interested in finding the truth to her life.” – Jed Schlanger
The Sea Beast hits Netflix on July 8th, when audiences will get to see exactly what Producer Jed Schlanger is talking about.
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About The Sea Beast
In an era when terrifying beasts roamed the seas, monster hunters were celebrated heroes – and none were more beloved than the great Jacob Holland. But when young Maisie Brumble stows away on his fabled ship, he’s saddled with an unexpected ally. Together they embark on an epic journey into uncharted waters and make history.
From Academy Award winning filmmaker Chris Williams (Moana, Big Hero Six, Bolt), The Sea Beast takes us to where the map ends, and the true adventure begins.
CAST: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Dan Stevens and Kathy Burke.
