Hollywood voice acting legend Dee Bradley Baker recently sat down with us to discuss his prolific career and his latest role as “Willa the Cat” in the highly anticipated animated feature “The King of Kings.”
Dee Bradley Baker: A Legendary Career in Voice Acting
Dee Bradley Baker stands as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after voice actors, building an impressive three-decade career across television, film, and video games. His journey began famously as the voice of the stone god “Olmec” in Nickelodeon’s “Legends of the Hidden Temple.” Baker quickly demonstrated his range by bringing iconic characters Daffy Duck and Taz back to life in the original “Space Jam” movie. Since then, his distinctive voice has been a constant presence in entertainment.
Baker showcases remarkable versatility, notably voicing Captain Rex and an entire army of distinct clone troopers in Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” He further stretched his talents in the sequel series, “Star Wars: The Bad Batch,” portraying all five unique members of the titular squad. His Star Wars contributions also include voicing the furry Jedi “Nubs” in “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures.”
Fans adore Baker’s work as Perry the Platypus in Disney’s “Phineas and Ferb,” his Emmy-nominated performances as Klaus and Rogu in “American Dad,” and his multiple roles in “SpongeBob SquarePants,” including Squilliam Fancyson and Bubble Bass. His renowned specialization in creature and animal vocalizations was pivotal in Nickelodeon’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Baker’s artistry also features prominently in recent hits directed by James Gunn (“The Suicide Squad,” “Peacemaker,” “Guardians of the Galaxy 3”), and he has collaborated with acclaimed directors like Jon Favreau, Gore Verbinski, and George Miller.
Beyond performing, Baker is dedicated to education, generously mentoring aspiring performers and contributing significantly to the arts community through resources like his website, shaping the next generation of voice actors.
Bringing “The King of Kings” to Life
In his interview, Baker shared insights into his role in “The King of Kings,” a faith-based, family animated film set for release on April 11, 2025, distributed by Angel Studios. The film marks the first full-length animated production from Mofac Animation Studios.
Inspired by a little-known story by Charles Dickens, the film reimagines the life of Jesus Christ. Charles Dickens (voiced by Academy Award winner Kenneth Branagh) struggles to connect with his youngest son, Walter (Roman Griffin Davis). To bond with the imaginative boy, Dickens narrates the story of Jesus (voiced by Golden Globe honoree Oscar Isaac), framing him as the “King of Kings.”
Through Dickens’ storytelling and Walter’s vivid imagination, they, along with the family cat Willa (voiced by Baker), embark on a multi-dimensional adventure, immersing themselves in biblical times, interacting with Jesus, his disciples, and his foes.
Dee Bradley Baker as Willa the Cat
Baker discussed the recording process for the film and elaborated on his character, Willa the Cat. He explained that Willa acts as a companion for Walter and serves as a fun, relatable stand-in for the audience, experiencing the grand narrative alongside the characters. Willa provides a unique perspective, allowing viewers, especially children, to connect with the ancient tale in an engaging way.
An All-Star Production
“The King of Kings” boasts a phenomenal cast, including Golden Globe honoree Uma Thurman, Academy Award winners Sir Ben Kingsley and Forest Whitaker. Emmy winner Mark Hamill, and Golden Globe nominee Pierce Brosnan are also onboard.
The film is directed, produced, and co-written by acclaimed Korean filmmaker Seong-Ho “Jay” Jang (“Joint Security Area”), a pioneer in visual effects. Rob Edwards (“The Princess and the Frog”) co-writes the script. The production team includes BAFTA-winning cinematographer Woo-Hyung Kim and composer Tae-seong Kim (“Roaring Currents”). Emmy-winning casting director Jamie Thomason (“Spirited Away”) serves as an executive producer.
Adding to the star power, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth performs the end-credits song, “Live Like That.”
“The King of Kings” aims to make the biblical journey understandable and captivatingly entertaining for families worldwide when it arrives in theaters next year. Baker’s contribution as the observant Willa the Cat promises to be a delightful element in this unique animated retelling.
