It’s the era of superhero movies. We have Marvel and DC going head to head, churning out superheroes left, right and centre. But who’s complaining?
The latest band of superheroes being lifted to the big screen is an unlikely bunch, the youngest members of the DC universe: Teen Titans. On their weekly TV, the group of sidekicks get into all sorts of mischief week after week.
On the big screen, however, they have loftier ambitions. Robin especially is feeling the pinch of being only a sidekick and yearns to be a bona fide superhero. It doesn’t help that the superheroes are all getting their own movies (this is no doubt, making fun of the superhero movie culture we’re having right now). These teens are feeling a huge case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and try all sorts of ways to get themselves a movie deal. And yes, even “Stan Lee” makes an appearance here. Featuring a cast of stellar stars apart from the voice actors for the Teen Titans TV series, here’s a look at who plays who in the movie.
Superman (Nicolas Cage)
We all know that Cage has a slight indecent obsession with Superman. He was actually tied to a Superman role which somehow fell through. Cage named his own son Kal-El. While physically he may now be too old to play a live-action son of Krypton, he’s not beyond voicing the cape crusader. Finally, Nicolas Cage is Superman.
Batman (Jimmy Kimmel)
Kimmel takes a break from his hosting duties to take on Batman. This isn’t his first foray into voice-acting. Kimmel had previously voice-acted in movies such as The Smurfs 2, The Boss Baby, Garfield, The Family Guy and more.
Wonder Woman (Halsey)
Making her big screen debut as Wonder Woman is pop singer Halsey, known for the song “Closer”. She had previously voice-acted in American Dad!, and will be seen very soon on the big screen in the movie A Star is Born (starring Lady Gaga).
Jade Wilson (Kristen Bell)
Bell returns to voice-acting as Jade Wilson, the sought-after Hollywood director of superhero movies. Bell is, of course, most noted for voicing Anna in Frozen (2013). The Veronica Mars actress has also done voice-acting work for the animated movie, Zootopia (2016). Bell’s most recent movie is A Bad Moms Christmas (2017), the sequel to the popular hit Bad Moms in 2016.
Slade (Will Arnett)
Also wearing the producer’s hat, Arnett voices the villain Slade, whom the Teen Titans are bent on destroying to earn their mark in the superhero world. Arnett is, of course, no stranger to voice-acting. He’s the deep-throated Batman in The LEGO Batman Movie movie.
Robin (Scott Menville)
Menville is the voice actor of Robin in the TV series. As the de facto leader of the Teen Titans, he gathers the team to fight their “arch nemesis” Slade, whom they keep mistaking for Deadpool. Menville is primarily a voice actor who’s adept at doing adolescent voices. He specialises in voicing teenage boys to young adults.
Cyborg (Khary Payton)
The cannon-blasting humanoid Cybog is played by Payton, who also voices the character in the TV series. When not voicing Cyborg, Payton shows his real face in the TV series The Walking Dead, as the character Ezekiel. Payton has an extensive resume in doing voice-work in both TV series and video games, such as Star Wars: The Old Republic, God of War: Ascension and Tomb Raider.
Beast Boy (Greg Cipes)
As the spirited shape-shifting superhero in the series, Greg Cipes ups the energy level in his voice-acting, which is a total contrast to his other notable voice-acting work- as Michaelangelo in Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. When not being a hero or a turtle, he can be seen onscreen in supporting roles, in movies such as Fast & Furious (2009) and a host of guest starring roles in TV series.
Raven (Tara Strong)
Strong reprises her role as the half-human, half-demon sorceress with telekinetic abilities, a penchant for opening portals and a deadpan demeanour. Strong has a prolific voice-over career, including roles in The Powerpuff Girls, Rugrats, Batgirl, Family Guy, Ben 10, Spirited Away and more. She’s the current voice of Harley Quinn.
Starfire (Hynden Walch)
As the alien princess who speaks a little oddly, Starfire has superhuman strength and laser-beam vision. 47-year-old Walch, who plays Starfire is masterful at manipulating her voice to sound youthful. The English actress has also appeared in live-action movies such as Groundhog Day but mostly focuses on voice-acting work.
