After Olaf, the snowman in Frozen, Josh Gad will lend his voice to Chuck — the most talkative Angry Bird. He shares how he once gatecrashed an Indian wedding to promote his film
Chuck is fast. He moves fast and talks fast — sometimes quicker than he thinks, which lands him in trouble. But there’s genuinely a good bird behind his motor beak, intent on making friends, and when Red needs a hand, he’s among the first to volunteer.
What’s your relationship with speed, considering you are playing Chuck, who doesn’t stop at allIJ
Josh: I’m actually a slow person in life but Chuck is a speed demon and that’s what the fun part playing him was! When we were kids, we used to call one of our friends Motormouth — not a very nice thing to say in the hindsight — but it was almost like his mouth couldn’t keep up with his brain, so the words would come out so fast that you’d have to hinge on every word. I have pulled a lot from him to prepare for Chuck. I probably owe him a percentage of whatever I make on this film. It was very tiring and draining, going that fast. It was a mental and vocal workout, so I would do takes and be vocally fried. My mouth would be numb.
What made you take up this roleIJ
Josh: When I first got the call about an Angry Birds movie I was really sceptical. I was like why do we need an adaptation of a mobile video gameIJ Then the producer put together this brilliant 20-minute reel, which was so much deeper, funnier and more subversive. In creating the character of Chuck, I was actually given a lot to work with. They had created a character who was unbelievably detailed and an embodiment of road rage. On screen, he has a compulsive locomotive quality to him as a manifestation of his anger.
How was it for you to be alone in the booth while recording and getting out of control completelyIJ What did you do to get thereIJ
Josh: I pray that the video of me recording Chuck doesn’t leak out because I was like a psychopath in there. At such times, what you really have is your voice and in order to bring out different emotions and experiences, you’ve got to go all in. I tried to create that velocity with my body and it’s hard to stand still with all that energy inside you.
It’s liberating but also draining. You can be a kid, rightIJ You know somebody mentioned in one of my interviews that whenever he thinks of vocal artists, the picture of Robin Williams in a booth inMrs. Doubtfire floats up. It’s a very playful opportunity as a performer. You really use your imagination and allow it to go anywhere, especially at the beginning of the movie.
Did you improvise at all while recordingIJ Can you give us any examples of itIJ
Josh: I wasn’t sure how much improvisation was required considering we were all recording separately for our respective parts and had not watched the complete film. But there were times when they would give me a premise or a couple of lines and say ‘let’s play between this’. I just went with that.
Are you ready to do Angry Birds 7IJ
Josh: As long as there is a good story. Sequels are tricky. Certain properties have been brilliantly handled like the Toy Story. So if you find an apt opportunity to continue the story, then I think all of us would be eager to revisit these characters.
How long do you think animated movies lastIJ What’s unique about Angry Bird characters and how can the movie stand out from the tough competitionIJ
Josh: The creative team has a story that can stand on its own feet. I think this is a movie that speaks to all of us. We have all been in places where we’ve had the opportunity to feed into our anger and convert it into a negative result or pivot it towards a positive change. The movie chronicles these three birds who are in rage. During the course of the movie, they form a bond and realise that when they change their anger into action and use it for good, it winds up as a great thing.
Your movie is releasing in India on May 27. Have you ever worked with Indian actorsIJ
Josh: I welcome all opportunities. Unfortunately, haven’t got too many with Indian actors. But I did work with a lovely Indian actress — Poorna Jagannathan — in Thanks for Sharing and the experience was amazing.
Based on that, what do you know about Indian cinemaIJ
Josh: I don’t know much but my parents were really into Indian cinema. They would play a lot of Bollywood stuff when I was growing up, so I had that experiential introduction to it. In terms of knowledge of Indian cinema, I can’t say I’m an expert.
We heard that you crashed an Indian wedding to promote a film, what was your impression of thatIJ What was that likeIJ
Josh: My impression is that we Americans are getting it all wrong. It was the most extraordinary celebration I had ever attended. It was so elegant, and there was such a vivacity to it all. Traditionally, the weddings in the United States are much less pomp and circumstantial. Hence, for me to see and experience an entirely different tradition was really cool thing I hope I’m not banned from India after this interview.
What message do you think viewers will get from the movieIJ
Josh: I don’t know if we are going to be saying, “Go out and get angry today!” It’s saying that all of us are inherently disposed towards anger, rightIJ I get frustrated about a lot of stuff that I can’t control. If I spin it and use it in a positive manner and again replace my anger with passion, I can try to change a conversation that I don’t necessarily agree with, even change somebody’s mindset. I find that anger can be a very useful tool. It’s a means to an end.
Do you actually play the gameIJ
Josh: I do! I play the Star Wars and Angry Birds and I’m quite good at it if you don’t mind me saying so!