ROTTEN TOMATOES: Fred Willard Appearing Live Action in Wall-E

Fred Willard Appearing Live Action in Wall-E

The comedic actor gets real.

by Fred Topel | October 27, 2007

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Fred Willard is credited in the cast of Pixar's Wall-E, so everyone assumes he is voicing one of the animated robots. It turns out he is appearing on camera in a Pixar first.

"I'm going to be the first live character in a Pixar movie," said Willard. "I appear on a TV monitor but I'm more than a voice. Jeff Garlin is a voice but people are saying, 'Oh, you're a voice.' No, I actually appear. People will say, 'Oh, that's Fred Willard.'"

Willard will be recognizable as himself, though he is playing a character in the otherwise animated world. "I don't play myself. I play the CEO of a huge corporation who by the time the movie takes place practically owns everything in the world. It's kind of a take off on Wal Mart. It's called Buy and Large."

Director Andrew Stanton did not explain his reasons for including live-action, and Willard was not about to question him. "I have no idea but I didn't want to ask them for fear they'd say, 'You know, that's a good question.'"

Willard's part is already finished, but the Pixar team may call Willard back for one more session. "I've already recorded my stuff. They might record some more and it comes out in June '08. I just went up and did it and it was great. So I'm very pleased that I'm in that."

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(1-12 of 12 posts) | Reply

MyDearestFosca writes:
on Oct 27 2007 01:52 PM

Eeeen-teresting...

(Reply to this)

kungfu_sage writes:
on Oct 27 2007 01:53 PM

you there there are tons of things pixar does where I think. "man that sounds stupid" and I can't imagine how it could possibly be turned into a good movie, or look any good, but they always manage to make it fantastic, so my initial reaction is "this is gonna look stupid" but I doubt it will

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the_shadow writes:
on Oct 27 2007 01:55 PM

seems like an odd choice, but i'm not going to question Andrew Stanton's decisions. not about to doubt anyone from Pixar for that matter.

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Johnny Rainbow writes:
on Oct 27 2007 04:18 PM

I love my cartoons with a side of lame social commentary.

(Reply to this)

Pongo writes:
on Oct 27 2007 04:35 PM

I love my cartoons with a side of Fred Willard.

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witherwings writes:
on Oct 27 2007 04:37 PM

All of Pixar's movies have a commentary of some sort. I doubt it will be either entirely social or lame. Ride on, Pixar.

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ManofStee1 writes:
on Oct 27 2007 05:38 PM

Whatever.

Call me when John Carter of Mars and a second Incredibles movie are coming out.

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VML writes:
on Oct 27 2007 07:45 PM

I'm. So. Looking. Forward. To. WAAAAAAHLEEEEE!

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Daniel Aaron writes:
on Oct 27 2007 08:47 PM

i read the story and its pretty interesting i think the adorable factor of wall e will send this one thru the roof i allready want a wall e and i just have seen the preview and by the way Johnny Rainbow where in the world did you get that picture...no shame at all..Mel Gibsons finest hour and you make it your aventar or what ever these little pictures are called you my friend are simply amazing.

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lamer writes:
on Oct 27 2007 09:50 PM

Pixar, you guys are masters.

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Ron_Burgundy writes:
on Oct 28 2007 09:59 AM

Although I love me some Willard, one thing about this concerns me: I heard that other humans do appear in the movie at some point. They're fat after leaving all their work to robots like Wall-E. It will be a little odd if Willard is the real actor, and all the other humans are stylized animation. Keep it consistent is all I'm saying.

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CaptMal writes:
on Oct 29 2007 04:33 AM

This sounds odd. But, excepting A Bug's Life, Pixar's never stumbled, so here's to hoping they keep their stellar track record.

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