Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden voice Rick and Morty respectively. The latest season of Rick and Morty has sparked discussions among fans, with a particular focus on the replacement of co-creator Justin Roiland as the voice actor for the title characters. In Season 7, new actors have taken on the roles previously voiced by Roiland, who voiced other characters as well. Adult Swim had announced that they would cast new actors, leaving many curious about who would join the cast of this popular animated series. The identities of these actors remained shrouded in mystery until the season's premiere on October 15, 2023.
Who voices Rick and Morty?
In the much-anticipated season seven premiere of Rick and Morty, fans were greeted with a surprising change—new voices for the beloved characters. This shift occurred following the dismissal of co-creator Justin Roiland, prompting showrunner Scott Marder and co-creator Dan Harmon to opt for a complete voice recasting. After an extensive search, Ian Cardoni was selected to voice the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez, while Harry Belden stepped into the shoes of the adventurous Morty Smith.
Cardoni and Belden may be relatively fresh faces in the world of voiceovers, but they bring their distinctive talents and interpretations to these iconic roles. The casting decision aimed to discover actors capable of capturing the essence of Rick and Morty while infusing their own fresh perspectives. Opting for lesser-known actors was a deliberate choice, aiming to minimize disruptions for fans and maintain consistency with the show's previous seasons.
Why was Justin Roiland fired by Adult Swim?
Amidst allegations of domestic violence and inappropriate conduct, Justin Roiland, co-creator of "Rick and Morty," faced a dramatic exit from Adult Swim. The accusations, including charges of domestic violence in January 2023 and claims of inappropriate interactions with fans, particularly minors, on social media, triggered a chain reaction. Significant entities such as Adult Swim, Warner Bros. Discovery, Hulu, 20th TV Animation, and Squanch Games severed their ties with Roiland.
The fallout from these allegations didn't spare Roiland's Hollywood ventures. Despite the dismissal of domestic violence charges by the Orange County District Attorney due to insufficient evidence, Hulu, too, parted ways with him, impacting projects like Solar Opposites and Koala Man. In the wake of these events, the Solar Opposites Season 4 trailer revealed creative teams adapting to Roiland's absence, with his character, Corvo, now voiced by Dan Stevens, a change acknowledged humorously within the show.
The repercussions extended to "Rick and Morty," prompting a decision to recast the titular characters for the seventh season. Following an exhaustive casting search, Ian Cardoni assumed the voice of Rick Sanchez, while Harry Belden took on the role of Morty Smith.
Have the other cast members also been replaced?
Amidst the alterations in Rick and Morty's voice cast, the upcoming seventh season promises the return of the core supporting ensemble. Expect familiar figures from the Smith family, with Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live) reprising Jerry Smith, Spencer Grammer (As the World Turns) back as Summer Smith, and Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) embodying Beth Smith and Space Beth Smith.
Furthermore, there is a chance that recurring actors that portray side characters including Kari Wahlgren as Jessica, Brandon Johnson as Mr. Goldenfold, and Keith David embodying the President, could reprise their roles.
FAQs
A. While Rick and Morty used to be voiced by one person (Justin Roiland), that has now changed with Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden voicing Ricka and Morty respectively.
A. Justin Roiland, Rick and Morty’s voice actor, was fired because of allegations of domestic violence, grooming, and inappropriate workplace behavior after an investigation by several sources including The Hollywood Reporter.
A. Season 7 of Rick and Morty premiered on October 15th, 2023.
