USA TODAY International Edition
A- LISTERS GET ANIMATED IN ‘ SING’
And Matthew McConaughey and company give them a voice in the animated ‘ SING’
Scarlett Johansson, Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon among talent in comedy
Matthew McConaughey gave his Wolf of Wall Street character a melodic chest- thumping exercise, and now he’s composed a “pump-up” tune to sing to himself as a dapper koala bear.
McConaughey plays the animated animal alongside other Alist voice talent such as Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon in the family- friendly musical comedy SING, due Dec. 21, 2016, and directed by Garth Jennings ( The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy).
Buster Moon has realized his dream of owning the theater he used to go to with his dad, but nobody comes for shows anymore. Though his best friend, a black sheep named Eddie ( John C. Reilly), doesn’t think it’s a great idea, he decides to put on the world’s greatest singing contest.
“Buster is a salesman and a survivor, eternally optimistic and someone who will do anything to make sure ‘ the show goes on,’ ” McConaughey says.
He scrapes together $ 1,000 for the winner, but fliers go out mistakenly proclaiming a $ 100,000 prize, causing a stir. And as Buster fights for his theater’s relevance, five characters become the competition’s finalists, who “are ultimately trying to define or redefine or find themselves through music and performance,” says producer Chris Meledandri.
Rosita the pig ( Witherspoon) gave up her teenage musical dreams years ago but yearns to be more than a mom. “She rarely has a second to herself, so she finds her moments of freedom intersect with this passion for music,” Witherspoon says. She is “that singer in all of us who just belts it out when no one is looking.”
Ash ( Johansson) is a porcupine who leads an alternative- rock band with her boyfriend, but when she makes it into the competition and he doesn’t, there is strife. Along the way, she finds confidence to be comfortable with herself, Johansson says. “Ash is an artist at heart who discovers her true voice. ... She represents a lot of teenagers going through the same experience of embracing their true selves as they come of age.”
The other finalists are Mike ( Seth MacFarlane) a mouse with a Sinatra- esque voice and arrogant attitude “who’s looking at any moment to try to take advantage of anyone he comes in con- tact with,” Meledandri says; Johnny ( Taron Egerton), a young gorilla who just wants to sing but whose gangster father wants him to join the family business; and Meena ( Tori Kelly), a teenage elephant with an exquisite voice and severe stage fright.
More than 85 songs, from the 1940s to the present, are in the film so far, Meledandri says. “When you start to see these animals sing, it’s absolutely magical and hysterical.”
McConaughey relates Buster to his other live- action roles involving “some salesman aspects and wriggling out of a pinch.”
Buster “reminds me of a lot of producers I know where you have to be optimistic to the point of delusion to create,” Meledandri says.
Rosita already holds a special place in Witherspoon’s heart, and the actress admits that she does voice work in movies “just as much for myself as I have for my kids.” A koala bear is helping McConaughey learn that lesson as well.
“I haven’t made many films my kids can watch,” he says. “So I’m excited to make one they’ll enjoy as well as hear their dad in. ”