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MOVIES

'Epic'

It might be a small world, but the stakes are huge in 'Epic,' an animated action-adventure that opens May 24 from the makers of the 'Ice Age' movies. Director Chris Wedge helps USA TODAY's Susan Wloszczyna introduce some of the forest dwellers -- along with a couple of human pals -- who are at war in this miniature universe.
It might be a small world, but the stakes are huge in 'Epic,' an animated action-adventure that opens May 24 from the makers of the 'Ice Age' movies. Director Chris Wedge helps USA TODAY's Susan Wloszczyna introduce some of the forest dwellers -- along with a couple of human pals -- who are at war in this miniature universe.
Blue Sky Studios
Typical of any teenager, Mary Katherine (voice of Amanda Seyfried) questions her dad, Prof. Bomba (Jason Sudeikis), about whether a hidden world of leaf-armored warriors really exists in the woods. "Bomba is one of my favorite characters, " says director Wedge. "He is an ersatz scientist who wears kooky head gear." Says Wedge of Amanda Seyfried, the 'Mamma Mia!' star who speaks for MK, "She has tremendous acting range. I never picture Amanda anymore when I hear her voice."
Typical of any teenager, Mary Katherine (voice of Amanda Seyfried) questions her dad, Prof. Bomba (Jason Sudeikis), about whether a hidden world of leaf-armored warriors really exists in the woods. "Bomba is one of my favorite characters, " says director Wedge. "He is an ersatz scientist who wears kooky head gear." Says Wedge of Amanda Seyfried, the 'Mamma Mia!' star who speaks for MK, "She has tremendous acting range. I never picture Amanda anymore when I hear her voice."
Blue Sky Studios
Josh Hutcherson brings some of his Peeta-esque personality from 'The Hunger Games' to his reluctant Leafman warrior, Nod. "He is very talented and has what it takes as a fighter," Wedge says, "but he hasn't come to terms with it yet. "
Josh Hutcherson brings some of his Peeta-esque personality from 'The Hunger Games' to his reluctant Leafman warrior, Nod. "He is very talented and has what it takes as a fighter," Wedge says, "but he hasn't come to terms with it yet. "
Blue Sky Studios
Who better to speak for the villainous Mandrake than Christoph Waltz, who won an Oscar for his charmingly evil SS officer in 'Inglourious Basterds.' He leads the Boggans, the source of decay and destruction in the forest. "He is smarter than the average Boggan, dry and sardonic," Wedge says. "And much uglier than he was in 'Inglourious Basterds.'"
Who better to speak for the villainous Mandrake than Christoph Waltz, who won an Oscar for his charmingly evil SS officer in 'Inglourious Basterds.' He leads the Boggans, the source of decay and destruction in the forest. "He is smarter than the average Boggan, dry and sardonic," Wedge says. "And much uglier than he was in 'Inglourious Basterds.'"
Blue Sky Studios
If Nod is shy about his warrior skills, then his opposite in Leaf-manliness would be the stoic Ronin, whose Irish lilt comes courtesy of Colin Farrell.
If Nod is shy about his warrior skills, then his opposite in Leaf-manliness would be the stoic Ronin, whose Irish lilt comes courtesy of Colin Farrell.
Blue Sky Studios
Mub (Aziz Ansari), a slug who considers himself a ladies' man but mainly hangs out with his snail buddy Grub (Chris O'Dowd), welcomes MK to the forest.
Mub (Aziz Ansari), a slug who considers himself a ladies' man but mainly hangs out with his snail buddy Grub (Chris O'Dowd), welcomes MK to the forest.
Blue Sky Studios
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