Disney has released pictures, character descriptions, and castings for the team that will be Big Hero 6.
Marvel fans are pretty pumped for next month’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but that isn’t the only remaining Marvel superhero movie on the 2014 calendar. In fact, considering the recent pedigree of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Big Hero 6 is one to keep an eye on. Whether in that humorous teaser from earlier in the year, or in the newest promo, it has us intrigued. Especially now that Disney has unveiled the full cast of characters and their voice actors.
Played by Ryan Potter, Hiro Hamada is a robotics prodigy that has the mind of a genius-and the heart of a 14-year-old: his state-of-the-art battle-bots dominate the underground bot fights held in the dark corners of San Fransokyo. Fortunately, big brother Tadashi redirects Hiro's brilliance, inspiring him to put his brain to the test in a quest to gain admission to the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. When a tragic event changes everything, Hiro turns to a robot named Baymax, and they form an unbreakable bond-and two-sixths of a band of high-tech heroes on a very important mission.
Baymax cares. That's what he was designed to do. The plus-sized inflatable robot's job title is technically Healthcare Companion: With a simple scan, Baymax, voiced by Scott Adsit, can detect vital stats, and, given a patient's level of pain, can treat nearly any ailment. Conceived and built by Tadashi Hamada, Baymax just might revolutionize the healthcare industry. But to the inventor's kid brother Hiro, the nurturing, guileless bot turns out to be more than what he was built for-he's a hero, and quite possibly Hiro's closest friend. And after some deft reprogramming that includes a rocket fist, super strength, and rocket thrusters that allow him to fly, Baymax becomes one of the Big Hero 6.
T.J. Miller’s Fanboy Fred comes off like a laid-back dude with no direction. But this sign-twirling, monster-loving, comic book aficionado is sure to go places-when he's good and ready. For example, Fred doesn't hesitate to join Big Hero 6, and he has a lot of ideas for his super-hero skillset, too. His ferocious, fire-breathing alter ego comes complete with claws, integrated communications and a super bounce. But his sign-spinning may still come in handy.
Aptly named Go Go Tomago (Jamie Chung) knows what it takes to be fast. She's tough, athletic and loyal to the bone, but not much of a conversationalist. Popping bubble gum and delivering well-placed sarcasm are totally her speed. The daredevil adrenaline junkie is at her best on wheels, and when Go Go joins forces with Big Hero 6, she rolls like never before, using maglev discs as wheels, shields, and throwing weapons.
Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.) is committed to precision. He's super smart and just a touch neurotic, but the big and burly beatnik can't help but join the cause when Hiro needs him most. As part of Big Hero 6, Wasabi amplifies his martial arts skills with jaw-dropping plasma blade weaponry. Sharp doesn't even begin to describe this guy.
Honey Lemon is voiced by Genesis Rodriguez.
Set originally in Japan—where the heroes would face Eastern-centric horrors like the astral embodiment of the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombings—this effort by Walt Disney Animation Studios will be set in the futuristic San Fransokyo, a hybrid between San Francisco and Tokyo. There, Marvel’s child prodigy turned superhero, Hiro Hamada, and his trusty robot Baymax will find themselves in an origin story of criminal malfeasance. Joe Quesada, Marvel Entertainment’s chief creative officer, has said it retains Marvel’s “heroic arcs,” but with a Disney flavor in the main characters’ relationship.
Big Hero 6 opens November 7, 2014.
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