MGM has unveiled the voice cast for their upcoming animated adaptation of “The Addams Family,” with Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron as the heads of the titular family, Gomez and Morticia.
Chloe Grace Moretz and Finn Wolfhard will play Gomez and Morticia’s children, Wednesday and Pugsley, while Nick Kroll will play the zany Uncle Fester and Bette Midler will play Grandmama. Newly minted Oscar winner Allison Janney will play the Addams’ arch-nemesis, Margaux Needler.
Former DreamWorks director Conrad Vernon will direct the film with Greg Tiernan, with Matt Lieberman writing the script. The film will follow the Addams Family as they prepare for an extended family reunion, only to have their creepy estate intruded upon by a very 21st century antagonist: a reality TV host bent on giving their mansion an HGTV-esque makeover into suburban normality.
“Conrad and Greg are masters of animation with the keen ability to create something both kids and their parents will enjoy for different reasons,” said Jonathan Glickman, President of MGM’s Motion Picture Group. “Adding to that a world class caliber of talent with Oscar, Charlize, Chloë, Finn, Nick, Bette and Allison – we can’t wait to bring their fresh and modern take on The Addams Family to the worldwide audience.”
Created in 1938 by New Yorker cartoonist Charles Addams, “The Addams Family” became a beloved cultural icon for its macabre, satirical take on the American Dream and the image of the suburban family with the white picket fence.
Addams’ New Yorker cartoons became the basis for a 1964 TV series on ABC, which launched “The Addams Family” into pop culture immortality with the series’ iconic, finger-snapping theme song. The show in turn inspired a pair of animated TV series and two feature films in the 1990s, which earned Anjelica Huston a pair of Golden Globe nominations for her performance as Morticia.
Vernon will produce the film with Alex Schwartz and Gail Berman of The Jackal Group. Andrew Mittman, Kevin Miserocchi and Joe Earley are executive producers; with Tabitha Shick, MGM’s Executive Director of Worldwide Motion Pictures, overseeing on behalf of the studio. Production is underway at Cinesite Studios in Vancouver.
MGM will release “The Addams Family” on Oct. 11, 2019.