The much-anticipated teaser trailer for “Rick and Morty” Season 7 is out, and it has ignited more than just excitement among fans. Speculation is rampant over the voice behind the iconic character Rick, following the departure of co-creator Justin Roiland.
From Roiland’s Arrest to a New Voice for Rick
It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for “Rick and Morty” enthusiasts this year. The beloved Adult Swim show encountered turbulence when news broke about co-creator Justin Roiland’s arrest due to felony domestic assault allegations from 2020. Despite the eventual dropping of charges, Adult Swim made the decision to part ways with Roiland. This move thrust co-creator Dan Harmon into the spotlight, initiating a search for a new voice actor to breathe life into Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith, and several other iconic characters.
The Debate: Who’s Behind the Voice?
Adding to the whirlwind of emotions was the recent release of the Season 7 teaser on the “Rick and Morty” Twitter page. Predominantly set to The Smashing Pumpkins’ song ‘Bullet with Butterfly Wings’, the trailer concludes with a brief but significant line spoken by Rick. This fleeting moment has set the fandom ablaze.
While some fans are convinced that the voice in the clip belongs to the new actor, others assert that it’s merely a clip recycled from Season 6. A fan expressed their uncertainty on Twitter, commenting, “Was that Justin or the new voice actor at the end? If it’s the latter, I’m impressed!” This sentiment was echoed by another who praised, “Wow, voices sound good.”
However, the theory that technology might have had a hand in replicating Roiland’s unique voice has also been floated. One intrigued fan inquired, “Why they got an AI voicing Rick bro,” followed by a crying emoji.
Yet, the camp supporting the reused clip theory is vocal too. One user responded, “Those are old clips…” Another confirmed, “It’s reused from the Season 6 finale.”
It’s Rick v. Rick Prime – Season 7 premiere date drops next week #rickandmorty pic.twitter.com/G1jSO189nj
— Rick and Morty (@RickandMorty) August 15, 2023
The Hunt for the Perfect ‘Soundalike’
The murky waters surrounding the new voice were somewhat clarified when Adult Swim’s president, Michael Ouweleen, emphasized that they wouldn’t opt for mere “imitators” of Roiland. However, this statement was juxtaposed by producer Steve Levy’s comment, suggesting the inclusion of “soundalikes”.
The quest for the perfect voice to fill the void left by Roiland has been further complicated by the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Fan Loyalty Tested: To Watch or Not to Watch?
With so much uncertainty, it’s no surprise that many “Rick and Morty” aficionados are left disillusioned. The teaser has elicited threats from numerous fans vowing to skip the series when Season 7 premieres. One passionate fan declared, “I speak for everyone when I say we will NOT be watching,” and another lamented, “Won’t watch until Roiland is back. R.I.P. Rick and Morty.”
As the clock ticks down to the release of Season 7, it remains to be seen how these controversies will affect the series’ reception and the legacy of one of animation’s most iconic duos.
