Here’s an unexpected piece of news to liven up a Tuesday. Benjamin Bratt, of DEMOLITION MAN, MISS CONGENIALITY, and CATWOMAN fame, is to be a last minute replacement for Al Pacino in the Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment DESPICABLE ME 2. Al PAcino was set to lend his vocals to an animated film for the first time, playing a villain that causes trouble for Steve Carell’s Gru.
This news comes as a big surprise, as most vocal roles are recorded long in advance of animation even beginning. It may be a little easier these days to sync dialogue and reanimate lips, but it may be that Benjamin Bratt will have to supply a quick dubbing. Perhaps Universal needed to record some new dialogue which Pacino was unavailable for?
Here’s what Universal had to say on the matter:
Over the production of DESPICABLE ME 2, there were creative differences between us and Al Pacino, who had been cast as the voice of Eduardo in the film. We have mutually decided with Al to replace the voice of Eduardo with a new actor. Universal and Illumination thank Al for his many contributions to the process and look forward to a new actor bringing this memorable character to the screen upon its release this summer.
The press material so far has avoided sharing the character of Eduardo (Bratt) so far, and perhaps it is for this very reason. Still, there must have been some major issues to replace a legend like Pacino with Benjamin Bratt. Not that we’re against Mr. Bratt, and actually, after JACK AND JILL, perhaps he is the better option.
DESPICABLE ME 2 hits the UK on the 28th June and 3rd July in the USA. It’s directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, plus stars the voices talents of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Steve Coogan, Miranda Cosgrove and Russell Brand.
Source: First Showing
