Plankton the Movie interview with Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) & Jill Talley (Karen)

Summary

In this interview, the voice actors behind Plankton and Karen reflect on their long-running roles in the SpongeBob universe, especially in the context of the new movie. They discuss the fun of exploring Karen's character in greater depth and expanding her personality, alongside Plankton's development. The team shares insights into the creative process, including the movie's unique blend of animation styles and the inclusion of songs to add emotional depth. They also touch on the importance of surprise in the show, the characters’ relationship dynamics, and the evolving nature of their performances over the years.

Takeaways

• 😀 The conversation begins with a friendly reference to a previous interaction at Comic-Con, where the guests had fun coloring with Cray.
• 😀 The movie ‘Plankton’ provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the character of Karen, as she gets more focus and development.
• 😀 Karen's character is described as receiving several upgrades, with new aspects and voices added to her personality, making her more multifaceted.
• 😀 The characters of Plankton and Karen have been around for 26 years, and the opportunity to explore their backstories adds depth to their relationship.
• 😀 The production of the movie evolved from being a special idea to a more epic and grand scale, with bigger set pieces and musical numbers.
• 😀 The movie features different animation styles and songs, providing variety and keeping the movie fresh and engaging.
• 😀 There was an initial idea to include more songs, but it was pared down to focus on songs that were crucial to the storyline.
• 😀 The dynamic between Plankton and Karen is grounded in a deep, affectionate relationship, despite their frequent bickering, similar to The Honeymooners.
• 😀 The backstory of Plankton and Karen highlights how they were intellectually compatible, with Plankton unknowingly looking for a friend rather than just a helper.
• 😀 The characters have evolved over time, and the voice actors have expanded their portrayals, especially Karen, by exploring new sides of her personality.
• 😀 The movie brings additional musical and fun elements to the world of ‘SpongeBob,’ and fans are encouraged to look forward to the upcoming Comic-Con karaoke event featuring the SpongeBob cast.

Q & A

How did the interviewees feel about their previous experience at Comic-Con?

The interviewees expressed excitement about their previous Comic-Con experience, where they had fun and even colored with crayons, showing their enthusiasm for engaging with the fans and enjoying the event.

What is the significance of Karen's character in the new Plankton movie?

Karen gets more focus and development in the Plankton movie. The character, who has often been in the background as Plankton's partner, is given a deeper backstory and more personality, which allows for a more dynamic portrayal.

What did Doug, the writer, aim to achieve with Karen's character in the movie?

Doug aimed to give Karen more love and attention in the movie. He focused on expanding her role, providing more depth to her character and making her a more integral part of the story.

How did the voice actress feel about Karen's expanded role?

The voice actress enjoyed the opportunity to explore different aspects of Karen's personality. She found it challenging but exciting to voice multiple versions of Karen, especially when her personality is split into different sides.

What was the challenge of introducing music and songs in the Plankton movie?

The challenge of introducing music was balancing the number of songs without overwhelming the story. Initially, there were more songs, but the team decided to focus on those that truly added meaning to the plot to avoid disrupting the flow of the movie.

Why was the movie's exploration of Plankton and Karen's relationship important?

The relationship between Plankton and Karen is explored in a deeper, more heartfelt way in the movie. The backstory and the development of their bond adds emotional depth to their interactions, revealing that Plankton was looking for more than just a computer—he was seeking a friend.

How did the interviewees compare Plankton and Karen's dynamic to the Honeymooners?

The interviewees compared Plankton and Karen's relationship to the classic TV show The Honeymooners, noting that, like the characters in that show, Plankton and Karen love each other despite their constant bickering. This comparison highlighted the depth of their connection.

What aspect of the characters' personalities did the interviewees enjoy developing over time?

Over time, the writers and voice actors worked to expand Karen and Plankton's personalities beyond their initial roles. They focused on making Karen more than just the sarcastic sidekick and giving her more dimension, while also evolving Plankton's character beyond a one-note villain.

What was the decision behind the inclusion of different animation styles in the movie?

The inclusion of different animation styles was meant to keep the movie fresh and interesting. The filmmakers wanted to explore new territories and give the audience a visually diverse experience, which helped make the movie feel more epic than a regular TV episode.

How did the interviewees view the relationship between the characters in the larger SpongeBob universe?

They believe the SpongeBob universe continues to evolve, never becoming lazy in its approach. The characters and storylines, including the Plankton and Karen movie, continue to improve and grow, keeping things fresh for long-time fans.