Casting

Once the script was approved by Billy I started on the animatic, essentially a rough B&W semi-animated storyboard for my test animation. I’m fairly detailed with my animatics, preferring to work out as much of the acting, music, FX and overall timing as tightly as I can. Here’s a short section that has since been cut from the final (hence I can show it). Forgive my placeholder VO.

As I worked on the animatic we began casting for voice talent. Owing to his brilliant work voicing Hercules for my early Nickelodeon iteration, I certainly wanted to throw Tom Megalis’s name into the hat. More often than not, however, it helps to sell a project if an actor with notable star power is attached. One prospect to voice Hercules was Matt Barry. He was certainly more than capable to nail that tone of bombastic authority I was looking for. Another actor I liked was Peter Serafinowicz. Super talented.

For Hera I had Ann Magnuson in mind. She and I had crossed paths years ago as performance artists in the early days of Club 57 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

That’s her, center, and me with the home-made chaps. She was much more of the true artist. I was just having fun.

Another possibility to voice Hera could be Patti Smith. Her gravelly, world weary New York accent would be something unexpected and would lend the show some of that early 80s punk edge I so favored.

Matt Berry (offer only, no audition) seemed vaguely interested but ultimately backed out. Same for Peter Serafinowicz. Clearly I was aiming too high and apparently they both felt the same.

Likewise, Ann Magnuson’s agent refused to let Ann read for Hera. Only an offer would do. Sorry, Ann.

Ultimately we put the call out to several actors to audition.

I couldn’t seem to get everyone at WB on board with Patti Smith so that idea faded away as well.

Tom Megalis’s read didn’t quite appeal to WB.

One actor did stand out from the auditions for Hercules. Chris Diamantopoulos. He added a layer of erudite self importance that was perfect. Fresh off of the erudite self-importance he portrayed as Russ in Silicon Valley.

Once we had the voices for Hera and Andy covered I was good to go for finalizing the animatic.