As Studio Ghibli prepares to welcome a mix of both new and seasoned actors to its cherished collection, director Hayao Miyazaki's long-anticipated film The Boy and the Heron is gearing up for its U.S. debut later this year. With the release on the horizon, the studio has unveiled the English voice cast for the film, boasting a roster of A-list talents, most of whom are already Marvel Cinematic Universe stars!
According to a recent announcement from GKIDS, The Boy and the Heron will feature Academy Award winner and Thor: Love and Thunder star Christian Bale in a leading role, lending his voice to the titular boy's father Shoichi Maki. Guardians of the Galaxy's Dave Bautista will take on the character of The Parakeet King, while The Eternals actress Gemma Chan will voice Natsuko. The ensemble also includes renowned stars such as Robert Pattinson (Grey Heron), Willem Dafoe (Noble Pelican), Mark Hamill (Grand Uncle), Florence Pugh (Kiriko), and Karen Fukuhara (Lady Himi).
The film's central character Mahito Maki will be voiced by You actor Luca Padovan, supported by a talented cast that includes Dan Stevens, Tony Revolri, and Mamoudou Athie as the Parakeets.
Notably, all casting and voice work for The Boy and the Heron adhered to the SAG-AFTRA guidelines. Thanks to the continued integrity of the guild's Foreign Dubbing Agreement, Studio Ghibli was able to complete the English dubbing despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike against Hollywood's major studios.
The Boy and The Heron has been officially announced as Hayao Miyazaki's last feature film although the filmmaker has been confirmed to be working on a new project. The Japanese title of the film pays homage to Genzaburo Yoshino's 1937 novel of the same name. Although the book itself is featured in the movie, it tells an entirely unique story unrelated to the novel.
In the cinematic tale, a young boy named Mahito (Padovan) relocates to a new town following the death of his mother. In his new location, Mahito stumbles upon an abandoned tower where he encounters a talking grey heron (Pattinson).
When is The Boy and The Heron's US Release Date?
For those eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Boy and the Heron, the film is set to premiere in the United States later this December. Additionally, select previews are scheduled for November 22, and numerous film festivals have added Miyazaki's latest masterpiece to their lineups, including the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival, generating considerable anticipation for the film.
The Boy and The Heron will hit North American theaters on December 8, 2023.
