{"id":462000,"date":"2026-03-07T05:08:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T05:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/462000\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T05:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T05:08:13","slug":"see-the-faces-behind-pixars-body-swapping-movie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/462000\/","title":{"rendered":"See the Faces Behind Pixar’s Body-Swapping Movie"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tScience technology meets fluffy animals in Pixar\u2019s latest animated comedy adventure \u201cHoppers.\u201d
\u00a0
\u201cHoppers\u201d are a group of scientists who have discovered a way to mind-hop into robot animal bodies. The plot follows animal lover Mabel Tanaka (Piper Curda), whose mind is transferred into a life-like robotic beaver to communicate directly with animals. Along the way, Mabel befriends charismatic beaver King George (Bobby Moynihan) and must rally the entire animal kingdom to face the imminent threat of habitat destruction, spearheaded by Mayor Jerry Generazzo (Jon Hamm). The all-star voice ensemble cast also features Meryl Streep, Kathy Najimy, Bobby Moynihan, Ego Nwodim and Dave Franco.
\u00a0
\u201cHoppers\u201d is directed by Daniel Chong and produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle, with an original score by Mark Mothersbaugh. The film is in theaters on March 6.
\u00a0
Here\u2019s a guide to the voices behind the animated characters of \u201cHoppers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tMabel Tanaka (Piper Curda)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tPiper Curda returns to the Disney universe as the voice of Mabel Tanaka, a 19-year-old animal lover whose consciousness is transferred into a robotic beaver. Curda is best known for her starring roles on Disney Channel\u2019s \u201cI Didn\u2019t Do It\u201d and the hit sequel \u201cTeen Beach Movie 2,\u201d and has since appeared in \u201cMay December\u201d and Netflix\u2019s \u201cAmerican Pie Presents: Girls\u2019 Rules.\u201d <\/p>\n

\tKing George (Bobby Moynihan)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tBobby Moynihan voices King George, a beaver monarch whose authority is matched only by his insecurity. A longtime fixture of ensemble comedy, Moynihan spent nine seasons on NBC\u2019s \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d and has voiced characters in \u201cInside Out,\u201d \u201cDuckTales\u201d and \u201cMonsters University.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tMayor Jerry Generazzo (Jon Hamm)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tJon Hamm lends his voice to Mayor Jerry Generazzo, a slick and self-serving politician driven by greed and ambition. Hamm is best known for his Emmy-winning performance as Don Draper on AMC\u2019s \u201cMad Men\u201d and has recently appeared in FX\u2019s \u201cFargo\u201d and Apple TV+\u2019s \u201cThe Morning Show,\u201d as well as in films including \u201cTop Gun: Maverick\u201d and \u201cConfess, Fletch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tDr. Sam (Kathy Najimy)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tKathy Najimy voices Dr. Sam, Mabel\u2019s biology professor and the brilliant but morally conflicted scientist behind the hopping technology. Najimy\u2019s career spans decades across film, television and animation, with credits including \u201cSister Act,\u201d \u201cHocus Pocus,\u201d \u201cVeep\u201d and the voice of Peggy Hill on Fox\u2019s long-running animated series \u201cKing of the Hill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tInsect King (Dave Franco)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tDave Franco voices the Insect King, the calculating mate to the Insect Queen whose ambitions extend beyond his hive. Franco\u2019s recent work includes Neon\u2019s \u201cTogether,\u201d Amazon MGM\u2019s \u201cSomebody I Used to Know,\u201d \u201cThe Rental\u201d and \u201cNow You See Me 3.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tLoaf (Eduardo Franco)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tEduardo Franco voices Loaf, a slow-moving but steadfast beaver. Franco broke out with his performance as Argyle on Netflix\u2019s \u201cStranger Things\u201d and has appeared in \u201cBooksmart,\u201d \u201cAmerican Vandal\u201d and \u201cThe Afterparty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tNisha (Aparna Nancherla)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tAparna Nancherla voices Nisha, Dr. Sam\u2019s loyal colleague at the top-secret lab. Before joining the animated world of \u201cHoppers,\u201d the actor and comedian has leant her voice to characters in film and television shows including \u201cThe Great North,\u201d \u201cBob\u2019s Burgers,\u201d \u201cOrion and the Dark,\u201d \u201cMira, Royal Detective\u201d and \u201cBoJack Horseman.\u201d She has also written for \u201cLate Night With Seth Meyers\u201d and \u201cTotally Biased With W. Kamau Bell,\u201d amongst others.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tConner (Sam Richardson)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tSam Richardson plays Conner, a cheerful biology graduate student in Dr. Sam\u2019s lab. Richardson boasts a lengthy voice-acting resume, with credits on television shows like \u201cWylde Pak,\u201d \u201cKrapopolis,\u201d \u201cBob\u2019s Burgers,\u201d \u201cSausage Party: Foodtopia\u201d and \u201cVelma.\u201d His onscreen credits include \u201cVeep\u201d (as Richard Splett) and \u201cDetroiters.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tFish Queen (Ego Nwodim)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tEgo Nwodim voices the Fish Queen, described to be the boisterous, stern and formidable leader of the fish kingdom. Nwodim is best known for her work on \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d from 2018, beginning with the show\u2019s\u00a044th season, to 2025, ending with the show\u2019s\u00a050th season. Nwodim also previously appeared in the TV series \u201cGalactic War Room\u201d and voiced characters for \u201cFuturama,\u201d \u201cBaby Shark\u2019s Big Movie\u201d and \u201cDiary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tReptile Queens (Nichole Sakura)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tNichole Sakura voices the Reptile Queens, a terrifying trio of almost identical snake sisters. Sakura is known for her roles as Cheyenne Tyler Lee in the\u00a0NBC\u00a0sitcom\u00a0\u201cSuperstore,\u201d Amanda in\u00a0\u201cShameless\u201d and Emily Davis in the horror video game\u00a0\u201cUntil Dawn.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tInsect Queen (Meryl Streep)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tMeryl Streep voices the Insect Queen, the most respected and feared member of the all-seeing and all-powerful Council. A three-time Academy Award winner, Streep\u2019s most famous appearances include \u201cSophie\u2019s Choice,\u201d\u00a0\u201cKramer vs. Kramer,\u201d\u00a0\u201cThe Iron Lady,\u201d\u00a0\u201cThe Devil Wears Prada\u201d and\u00a0\u201cThe Bridges of Madison County.\u201d Streep holds the record for the most Academy Award and Globe nominations of any performer, with her career spanning over 64 films and 18 television projects.<\/p>\n

\tAmphibian King (Steve Purcell)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tSteven Purcell voices Amphibian King, a frog. A cartoonist, animator, game designer and voice actor, Purcell is best known for creating the media franchise \u201cSam & Max,\u201d which includes a show, comic and game series. \u201cHoppers\u201d isn\u2019t Purcell\u2019s first collaboration with Pixar; he co-wrote and co-directed \u201cBrave\u201d and developed \u201cCars on the Road,\u201d a miniseries for the \u201cCars\u201d franchise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tBird King (Isiah Whitlock Jr.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tBird King, a flighty, flippant goose, was voiced by actor\u00a0Isiah Whitlock Jr. before he died at the age of 71 in December 2025<\/a>. Whitlock was known for his roles in \u201cThe Wire\u201d and other appearances in television shows and films including \u201cGoodfellas,\u201d \u201cChappelle\u2019s Show,\u201d \u201cPieces of April,\u201d \u201cEnchanted,\u201d \u201cCars 3\u201d and \u201cLightyear.\u201d He was also known for his collaborations with director Spike Lee, which included \u201cBlacKkKlansman,\u201d \u201cDa 5 Bloods,\u201d \u201cShe Hate Me,\u201d \u201c25th Hour,\u201d \u201cRed Hook Summer\u201d and \u201cChi-Raq.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tDiane (Vanessa Bayer)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tVannessa Bayer voices Diane, a shark and feared assassin summoned to help the Council carry out their mission to stop Mayor Jerry. Bayer was a cast member on \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d from 2010 to 2017, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award. Bayer also previously appeared in \u201cI Love That For You,\u201d \u201cFreakier Friday\u201d and \u201cIbiza.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tEllen (Melissa Villase\u00f1or)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Hoppers\"
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tMelissa Villase\u00f1or plays Ellen, a menacing, though mostly just grumpy grizzly bear. The writer, comedian and actor is known for \u201cHubie Halloween,\u201d \u201cRalph Breaks the Internet\u201d and \u201cToy Story 4.\u201d She also hosts the \u201cLaughing With Myself\u201d podcast.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tDiane (German Dub) (Heidi Klum)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"heidi
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty \/ Pixar\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tHeidi Klum voices Diane in the German-dubbed version of \u201cHoppers.\u201d Her character is referred to as Hai-Di, a pun on both Klum\u2019s name and the German word for shark, \u201chai.\u201d Klum is known for her career as a supermodel and later worked as a reality show judge on \u201cProject Runway,\u201d \u201cGermany\u2019s Next Top Model\u201d and \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Science technology meets fluffy animals in Pixar\u2019s latest animated comedy adventure \u201cHoppers.\u201d\u00a0\u201cHoppers\u201d are a group of scientists who…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":462001,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[96,164838,146501,10557,2839,165872,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-462000","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-movies","8":"tag-entertainment","9":"tag-hoppers","10":"tag-jon-hamm","11":"tag-meryl-streep","12":"tag-movies","13":"tag-piper-curda","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom","16":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=462000"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462000\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/462001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=462000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=462000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=462000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}