Kid’s laughter, not screams, now fuels Monstropolis; Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Bonnie Hunt, and Mindy Kaling lend their voices to characters old and new in the highly anticipated show, which premieres July 2.
We knew it was coming… and after a two year wait, we’re happy it’s finally here! Disney+ has just announced the voice cast, and shared some character pics, from their upcoming animated series, Monsters At Work, dutifully expanding Pixar’s famed Monsters Inc. franchise into the world of episodic streaming! And it premieres July 2!
The answer to your first question is “Yes.” Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan will again be voiced by actors Billy Crystal and John Goodman. OK, you can breathe now. Crisis averted.
The show takes place the day after the Monsters, Incorporated power plant started harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, thanks to Mike and Sulley's discovery that laughter generates ten times more energy than screams. It follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon, an eager young monster who graduated top of his class at Monsters University and always dreamed of becoming a Scarer until he lands a job at Monsters, Incorporated, and discovers that scaring is out and laughter is in. After Tylor is temporarily reassigned to the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT), he must work alongside a misfit bunch of mechanics while setting his sights on becoming a Jokester.
Mindy Kaling has joined the cast as the voice of Val Little, an enthusiastic member of the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (aka "MIFT"). Bonnie Hunt will reprise her role as Ms. Flint, who was formerly in charge of training new Scarers at Monsters, Inc., but will now manage the department responsible for recruiting and training the funniest monsters to become Jokesters.
Ben Feldman stars as the voice of Tylor Tuskmon, one of the new MIFT crew series characters alongside Kaling; Henry Winkler (Happy Days) as Fritz, the scatterbrained boss; Lucas Neff (Raising Hope) as Duncan, an opportunistic plumber; and Alanna Ubach (Coco) as Cutter, the officious rule follower.
In addition to Crystal, Goodman, and Hunt, returning cast members from the original movies include John Ratzenberger as Yeti and Tylor's dad, Bernard; Jennifer Tilly as Celia Mae; and Bob Peterson as Roze, twin sister to his original Monsters, Inc. character, Roz. Voicing additional characters are Stephen Stanton (Star Wars Resistance) as Smitty and Needleman, the bumbling custodial team at Monsters, Inc., and Aisha Tyler (Archer) as Tylor's mom, Millie Tuskmon.
Monsters at Work is produced by Disney Television Animation; the series was developed and is executive produced by Disney animation veteran Bobs Gannaway (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Planes: Fire & Rescue). Academy Award-nominated Sean Lurie (Inner Workings) is producer, and Kat Good (Big Hero 6 The Series) and Steve Anderson (Meet the Robinsons) serve as supervising directors. The late Rob Gibbs (Monsters, Inc.) also served as director on some of the earlier episodes.
Kaling is represented by CAA, 3Arts, The Lede Company and Ziffren Law. Hunt is represented by WME and Edelstein, Laird & Sobel Law.
Monsters At Work will begin streaming Friday, July 2, exclusively on Disney+.
Source: Disney+
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
