Meet the Voices Behind “Finding Nemo” 3D
Marlin’s journey along the Great Barrier Reef to rescue his son Nemo is filled with a host of colorful underwater characters. Optimistic but forgetful friend Dory joins him on the adventure, which introduces the sheltered Marlin to everything from a trio of sharks practicing a self-help program to a bale of hip sea turtles who know their way around the East Australian Current. Meanwhile, Nemo - snatched from the reef by a diver - finds himself in an aquarium at a dentist’s office, surrounded by a group of spectacular saltwater friends known as the tank gang.
These iconic characters and the roster of talented actors that helped make them so memorable are what make Disney Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” a favorite among moviegoers. The film returns to the big screen - for the first time ever in thrilling Disney Digital 3D™ - introducing a whole new generation to the stunning underwater adventure.
MARLIN is a fretful and slightly neurotic clownfish father voiced by the acclaimed actor/director/comedian Albert Brooks (“Drive”). He sports just three stripes (“One, two, three - that’s all I have?”) and for a clownfish, he’s not as funny as one might expect. But he’s fiercely protective of his son Nemo, wanting to do everything he can to make sure nothing ever happens to him.
Director Andrew Stanton said Brooks was a pro at maximizing his scenes. “Even when his character wasn’t asked to be funny in a scene, he knew exactly how to play it for entertainment.”
DORY is the eternally optimistic and forever forgetful blue tang brought to life by the Emmy®-winning comedian Ellen DeGeneres who was nominated for an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance. “She brought a real kindness and gentleness to the part, along with rhythm and quirkiness,” said Stanton of DeGeneres’ performance.
NEMO is an adventurous young clownfish born with a bad fin, though his overly protective father calls it his “lucky fin.” After being captured by a diver and dropped in an aquarium, Nemo meets an oddball tank gang who dub him “Shark Bait” and help him hatch a plan to escape back to the ocean to reunite with his dad.
Alexander Gould (“Weeds”) was 9 years old when he lent his voice to Nemo, and he “brought a genuine, untainted quality to the voice of Nemo,” said Stanton. “It’s amazing how many kids have some preconceived notion of what a good actor should sound like. Alex sounded real and he totally understood direction. We were really lucky to find him.”
GILL is the brooding moorish idol leader of the tank gang who takes newcomer Nemo under his fin. Willem Dafoe (“Platoon”) gave voice to Gill, who - like Nemo - hails from the big blue. He’d give anything to go home.
BLOAT is a blowfish with a tendency for emotional as well as literal blow-ups. Voiced by Emmy® winner Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), Bloat conducts the tribal ceremony officially dubbing Nemo as “Shark Bait” and welcoming him into the tank gang.
PEACH is an astute starfish who has her eyes peeled at all times on behalf of the entire tank gang. Allison Janney (“The Help”) provided the voice for Peach, a perceptive matriarch who keeps a protective eye on Nemo.
GURGLE is a quick-to-panic royal gramma with a fear of germs. He’s voiced by film and stage veteran Austin Pendleton (“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”). Despite his disdain for dirt, he’s all drama when the dentist foils their messy escape plan with a new tank cleaner. “Curse you Aqua Scum!”
BUBBLES is a bubble-obsessed yellow tang. Stephen Root (“J. Edgar”) lent his voice to the effervescent character. “Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubbles!”
DEB (& FLO) is a reflective blue-and-white humbug damsel fish who believes her reflection is her twin sister. Voiced by Vicki Lewis (“How I Met Your Mother”), Deb is always in touch with her “twin sister” Flo, who is always there when Deb needs her. But Deb secretly doubts Flo’s mental capacity—“She’s nuts.”
JACQUES is a fastidious cleaner shrimp. Late Pixar storyman Joe Ranft (“Toy Story 2” as Wheezy, “A Bug’s Life” as Heimlich the caterpillar) gave Jacques a debonair French accent. “Voila! He is clean.”
NIGEL is a gossipy Australian pelican who’s befriended the tank gang despite the potential conflict of interest. Academy Award®-winning actor Geoffrey Rush (“The King’s Speech”) gave a top-flight performance.
CORAL is Nemo’s mom who meets an unfortunate fate. Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds”) gave voice to Coral.
CRUSH, the unflappable sea turtle voiced by director Andrew Stanton, is the ultimate laidback dad that throws Marlin for a loop. Crush’s biggest fan is offspring Squirt who agrees with his dad that almost everything is awesome and righteous.
MR. RAY is a musical manta ray teacher. Pixar veteran Bob Peterson, one of the screenplay writers for the film, provided Mr. Ray’s popular pipes, known for clever, rhyming songs like, “Seaweed is cool. Seaweed is fun. It makes its food from the rays of the sun.”
BRUCE is a great white shark who desperately wants to stop eating fish. Voiced by Barry Humphries (Dame Edna Everage), Bruce holds meetings for he and his shark companions to share their problems and practice their motto - “Fish are friends, not food.” Bruce’s vegetarian efforts get derailed when a minor injury to Dory changes his friendly demeanor.
ANCHOR is a soft-hearted hammerhead shark who believes a group hug can help his shark pals’ problems. Eric Bana (“The Time Traveler’s Wife”) lent his voice to Anchor.
CHUM is the hyperactive mako shark who “misplaces” his fish friend. Bruce Spence provided his voice.
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, “Finding Nemo” 3D will be released across the Philippines in Digital 3D™ for a limited theatrical engagement starting December 5.
