Studio Ghibli is about to release its new film Earwig and the Witch in the company's native Japan, and now the studio has revealed an English voice cast will lead the North American release. And among those on board for the English version is modern-country darling Kacey Musgraves.
The casting announcement was made today, and in addition to Musgraves, Earwig and the Witch will feature Richard E. Grant and Dan Stevens, Deadline reports.
Earwig and the Witch is being directed by Goro Miyazaki, the son of Ghibli legend Hayao Miyazaki who previously did From Up on Poppy Hill and Tales from Earthsea. The upcoming film will mark Studio Ghibli's first entirely 3DCG animated feature, and it's based on the children's novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones, whose Howl's Moving Castle became the 2004 Ghibli classic.
Earwig and the Witch follows a character named Earwig — an orphan who heads out on a big adventure to meet her mother, who is said to possess magical powers.
In the English-language version, Musgraves will play Earwig's mother, while Grant will play the character Mandrake and Stevens will voice Thomas. The titular Earwig will be played by Taylor Paige Henderson.
In addition to Musgraves' voice role in the film, she will also perform an English-language version of the film's theme song, "Don't Disturb Me."
"Nowadays, in our country, there are many adults and few children. It must be tough for these children, so few of them having to deal with so many adults," Goro Miyazaki said of the film in a statement. "It was while I was thinking about this that I got to know Earwig. And I realized, 'That's it!' How does Earwig deal with the annoying adults? Please watch Earwig and the Witch to find out. She may be cheeky, but I sincerely hope that our adorable Earwig will encourage children and cheer up adults."
Earwig and the Witch is set to air on NHK television in Japan on December 30. The film is expected to receive a theatrical release via GKIDS in North America sometime in 2021.
The casting announcement was made today, and in addition to Musgraves, Earwig and the Witch will feature Richard E. Grant and Dan Stevens, Deadline reports.
Earwig and the Witch is being directed by Goro Miyazaki, the son of Ghibli legend Hayao Miyazaki who previously did From Up on Poppy Hill and Tales from Earthsea. The upcoming film will mark Studio Ghibli's first entirely 3DCG animated feature, and it's based on the children's novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones, whose Howl's Moving Castle became the 2004 Ghibli classic.
Earwig and the Witch follows a character named Earwig — an orphan who heads out on a big adventure to meet her mother, who is said to possess magical powers.
In the English-language version, Musgraves will play Earwig's mother, while Grant will play the character Mandrake and Stevens will voice Thomas. The titular Earwig will be played by Taylor Paige Henderson.
In addition to Musgraves' voice role in the film, she will also perform an English-language version of the film's theme song, "Don't Disturb Me."
"Nowadays, in our country, there are many adults and few children. It must be tough for these children, so few of them having to deal with so many adults," Goro Miyazaki said of the film in a statement. "It was while I was thinking about this that I got to know Earwig. And I realized, 'That's it!' How does Earwig deal with the annoying adults? Please watch Earwig and the Witch to find out. She may be cheeky, but I sincerely hope that our adorable Earwig will encourage children and cheer up adults."
Earwig and the Witch is set to air on NHK television in Japan on December 30. The film is expected to receive a theatrical release via GKIDS in North America sometime in 2021.