Some very exciting announcements for the English-language voice cast for Goro Miyazaki’s (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea) upcoming Studio Ghibli computer-animated feature Earwig and the Witch have been revealed!
The film is based on Diana Wynne Jones’ novel of the same name. Jones was a British author who also wrote the book that Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle was adapted from. The summary for Earwig and the Witch is as follows:
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.
Today’s cast announcements for the English-language dub of the film include Richard E. Grant as The Mandrake, Kacey Musgraves as Earwig’s mother, and Dan Stevens as Thomas the cat. Additionally, Taylor Paige Henderson will voice Earwig and Vanessa Marshall will voice the selfish witch Bella Yaga.
The English-language dub will feature a performance of the film’s theme song “Don’t Disturb Me” from Musgraves, who is a six-time Grammy Award-winner.
Credit for planning on Earwig and the Witch has also been given to Miyazaki’s father, Academy Award-winner Hayao Miyazaki. This is Studio Ghibli’s first 3DCG animated feature, and it is a co-production from Studio Ghibli, NHK, and NEP.
Earwig and the Witch is due to premiere in Japan this month. GKIDS Films has the North American distribution rights for the movie, where it will arrive in early 2021.
Visit EarwigMovie.com for more updates!
