GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award®-nominated animated features, has announced the voice cast of the upcoming English language dub for legendary animation house Studio Ghibli’s latest feature EARWIG AND THE WITCH. The film is directed by Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea) and produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki, with planning on the feature from his father, Academy Awardâ-winner Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro). Based on the children’s novel “Earwig and the Witch” by Diana Wynne Jones (“Howl’s Moving Castle”), the film marks Studio Ghibli’s first entirely 3DCG animated feature. An official selection for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, the film is slated to air on NHK in Japan December 30, 2020. GKIDS will release the film in North America in early 2021, and will qualify the film for awards consideration. The upcoming English language dub film will feature the voices of Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Gosford Park), Kacey Musgraves (“Golden Hour” “Same Trailer Different Park”) and Dan Stevens (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, FX’s Legion), as well as Taylor Paige Henderson as “Earwig”. In addition to her debut voice acting role as “Earwig’s Mother,” six-time Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves will also record the English language version of the film’s theme song, “Don’t Disturb Me.” English Voice Cast in Order of Appearance Earwig's Mother - Kacey Musgraves Matron - Pandora Colin Assistant Matron - Alex Cartañá Earwig - Taylor Paige Henderson Mr. Jenkins - JB Blanc Custard - Logan Hannan Phyllis - Summer Jenkins Sally - Vivienne Rutherford Cook - Tom Bromhead Assistant Cook - Eva Kaminsky Bella Yaga - Vanessa Marshall The Mandrake - Richard E. Grant Thomas - Dan Stevens Additional Voices JB Blanc Tom Bromhead Alex Cartañá Pandora Colin Summer Jenkins Eva Kaminsky Vivienne Rutherford Theme Song “Don’t Disturb Me” Japanese Version Performed by Sherina Munaf English Version Performed by Kacey Musgraves
SYNOPSIS
Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.
The latest film from Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke) is directed by Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea) and produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki, with planning on the feature from his father, Academy Award®-winner Hayao Miyazaki. Based on the children’s novel “Earwig and the Witch” by Diana Wynne Jones, the film marks Studio Ghibli’s first entirely 3DCG animated feature. The film was an official selection for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.