Illumination has captivated audiences all over the world with the beloved hitsDespicable Me,Dr. Seuss' The Lorax,Despicable Me 2andMinions, now the second-highest-grossing animated movie in history. Following the release of this summer’s comedy blockbusterThe Secret Life of Pets, Illumination presentsSingthis holiday season. With its highly relatable characters, heart and humor, the first collaboration between writer/directorGarth Jennings(Son of Rambow,The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and Illumination founder and CEOChris Meledandrimarks the sixth fullyanimated featurefrom the studio. Today, the studio has unveiled new photos and details about the voice actors and the characters they portray.
The event film stars Academy Award winnersMatthew McConaugheyandReese Witherspoon, alongsideSeth MacFarlane,Scarlett Johansson,John C. Reilly,Taron Egertonand Grammy Award-nominatedTori Kelly. Set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Sing stars Buster Moon (McConaughey), a dapper koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times. Buster is an eternal-some might even say delusional-optimist who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it. Now faced with the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition.
Five lead contestants emerge: Mike (MacFarlane), a mouse who croons as smoothly as he cons; Meena (Kelly), a timid teenage elephant with an enormous case ofstage fright; Rosita (Witherspoon), an overtaxed mother run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets; Johnny (Egerton), a young gangster gorilla looking to break free of his family’s felonies; and Ash (Johansson), a punk-rock porcupine struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo. Each arrives under Buster’s marquee believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life. And as Buster coaches each of his contestants closer and closer to the grand finale, he starts to learn that maybe the theater isn’t the only thing that is in need of saving.
For the first time ever, Academy Award winnerMatthew McConaugheyappears with his character, Buster Moon, from Illumination Entertainment’s Sing. Buster Moon is an eternal-some might even say delusional-optimist who still believes in the wonder and magic of his once-grand theater and will do anything to preserve it. Like all the stars ofSing,McConaugheydoes his own singing in the film, with a memorable rendition ofCarly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.” Here’s what the actor had to say in a statement about his character.
“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. Others may see his theater collapsing around him, but not Buster. Through his eyes, you’ll begin to imagine the crown jewel of this incredible town…a place where people can truly transform.”
We also have a new photo of Academy Award winnerReese Witherspoonappearing with her character, Rosita. Rosita is an overtaxed mother run ragged tending a litter of 25 children but who keeps the flicker of a secret dream inside. Like all the stars ofSing,Witherspoondoes her own singing in the film, including renditions ofTaylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,“Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Bananarama’s “Venus.” Here’s what the actress had to say about her character.
“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. In fact, it’s the love and passion Rosita’s given and received that pours out of her when she embraces her inner diva and lets loose.”
Scarett Johanssonalso appears with her character, Ash. Ash is a betrayed teenager who will mend her broken heart through the power of rock-and-roll. Like all the stars of Sing,Johanssondoes her own singing in the film, including renditions ofCarly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” and an all-new original song, “Set It All Free.” Here’s what she had to say about Ash below.
“Once Ash understands that all of the attention, effort and energy she’s been giving her worthless boyfriend has been standing in the way of her own musical gifts, she transforms into a badass. Ash eschews outdated expectations that she should deliver a pop-princess act on the stage and just rocks it out with original music. I adore her.”
We also have our first look atSeth MacFarlaneappearing with his character, Mike, from Illumination Entertainment’s Sing. Mike is a con man who croons as smoothly as he swindles. Like all the stars ofSing,MacFarlanedoes his own singing in the film, including renditions of standards includingIrving Berlin’s “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” “Pennies From Heaven,” made famous byBing Crosby, and “My Way,” which is synonymous withFrank Sinatra. Here’s whatSeth MacFarlanehad to say in his statement.
“What I like about this character is that he has zero concept of just how small he is. Mike is a whirlwind mix of bravado, swagger and showmanship, and he genuinely believes he has nothing to prove. He needs the contest money because he’s made some very poor decisions, and he’s certain that his larger-than-life personality and stage persona hold the ticket to winning.”
Tori Kellyals appears with her character, Meena, fromSing. Meena is a timid teen with an enormous case of stage fright who keeps a powerhouse voice trapped inside. Like all the stars ofSing,Kellydoes her own singing in the film, including renditions ofStevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” andLeonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,“The Beatles’ beloved classic. Here’s whatTori Kellyhad to say about her character.
“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a bit of Meena inside. She’s that timid kid who desperately wants to share her gifts with the world, but is always second guessing herself. As an artist, I went to that place of insecurity inside teenage Tori to find my inner Meena. Then you take a deep breath, shake off the nerves and just let the music take over.”
Rising starTaron Egertonis also seen alongside his character Johnny fromSing. Johnny is a reluctant part of his dad’s bank-robbing crew, as well as an aspiring singer who longs to step out and show who he really is. Like all the stars ofSing,Egertondoes his own singing in the film, including renditions ofSam Smith’s “Stay With Me,“John Legend’s “All of Me” andElton John’s “I’m Still Standing.” Here’s whatTaron Egertonhad to say about Johnny.
“I think that one of the biggest fears we all have is that we will disappoint our parents. All you want is their acceptance, but as you come into your own, you begin to realize that your dreams don’t always intersect with theirs. Johnny’s relationship with his father epitomizes this. He only needs Big Daddy to listen, to actually hear him, just once. If that happens, Johnny believes he can become his own man and really soar.”
The final character photo featuresNick Krollalongside his character, Gunter, from Illumination Entertainment’sSing. Gunter is the Spandexed show-stopper whose sheer enthusiasm overcomes his lack of actual talent. Like all the stars ofSing,Krolldoes his own singing in the film, including renditions ofLady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,“Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” andBananarama’s “Venus.” Here’s whatNick Krollhad to say about Gunter.
“Gunter knows what we all should: Everything is better in a gold track suit. He is the yin to Rosita’s yang. If she’s hesitant, insecure and brilliantly talented…then Gunter is the one who’s first to hit the stage and shake his piggy patootie; he’s a legend in his own mind. When I first experienced Reese and myself as Rosita and Gunter on the screen, I honestly couldn’t stop grinning.”
Featuring more than 65 hit songs,Singis produced byMeledandriand his longtime collaboratorJanet Healy. Together, they have produced all of Illumination’s films since the studio’s inception. Released byUniversal Pictures,Singarrives in theaters on August 09, 2025. All of these new photos were created by the animation artists of Illumination Entertainment and photographerNorman Jean Royin a unique collaboration. Take a look at these photos below featuring the voice cast and the characters ofSing.
