Set in a world much like our own, only inhabited by animals, Illumination’s sixth full length animated feature Sing appears to be the perfect follow-up to the studio’s summer blockbuster The Secret Life of Pets.
Just under two months until its holiday release, the studio has just treated fans to a major tease by way of seven fun images that show the hugely popular cast with the characters they play, embracing their attitude and demeanor as they introduce their personalities without the use of words.
Matthew McConaughey and Buster Moon, Reese Witherspoon and Rosita, Scarlett Johansson and Ash, Seth MacFarlane and Mike, Tori Kelly and Meena, Taron Egerton and Johnny and Nick Kroll and Gunter are on full display, offering up a first-look at the lively characters that will take over the big screen this December.
Sing centers around Buster Moon, an owner of a failing theater who, after falling on hard times, makes one last ditch effort to save the place he loves more than any other by throwing an elaborate singing competition.
“I’ve always regarded Buster as the ultimate creator…a showman who refuses to accept defeat and a guy who will accomplish the impossible through sheer force of will," McConaughey says of Moon.
And while audiences will be fearful of a potential theater closing, five contestants will emerge as realistic hopefuls to take home the top prize: a con mouse, a teenage elephant, an exhausted pig, a gangster gorilla, and a punk-rock porcupine.
Witherspoon, who plays Rosita, the mother of 25 piglets, does her own singing in the film, including renditions of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off" and Katy Perry’s “Firework".
“Ever since she was a girl, Rosita has held on to this tiny part of herself she’s been hesitant to share with the world. But once she genuinely owns who she is, this shy mom and wife realizes that it would be criminal not to unleash her talents," Witherspoon explains.
And she isn’t the only one to feel like that. Grammy Award-Nominated singer Tori Kelly, who does a highly anticipated version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah" said that she relates to her character Meena, an elephant who suffers from immense stage fright.
“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a bit of Meena inside," Tori says. “She’s that timid kid who desperately wants to share her gifts with the world, but is always second guessing herself."
Boasting more than 65 hit songs and a supporting cast that includes Nick Offerman, Jennifer Saunders, Leslie Jones and Beck Bennett, Sing will hit theaters on December 21st - hopefully these photos can tie you over until then.
