00:00 The new voices of Rick and Morty are opening up exclusively to The Hollywood Reporter
00:03 about the "literal dream come true" it's been to step into the iconic roles.
00:09 Before landing the parts, both Ian Cardone and Harry Belden were unknown actors.
00:13 Cardone, who voices Rick, started acting at a young age and had been doing a lot of voice-over
00:17 work for the past few years, usually for promos.
00:20 However, doing impressions and creating characters was previously something that he just did
00:24 for fun.
00:25 And Belden, who voices Morty, had done some voice-over work, primarily for commercials.
00:29 But when he heard Rick and Morty producers were looking for new voice actors, he knew
00:32 he had to jump on it.
00:33 Belden told THR, "I emailed my agent and said, 'If you got any requests for this Rick
00:38 and Morty thing, I do a decent Rick and Morty, so I'd love to be considered and to send them
00:42 my stuff.'
00:43 He also said, 'I think like most fans, I had done impressions of Rick and Morty for fun
00:46 with my friends.
00:47 And over time, I guess I was doing it enough that it turned into something that I thought
00:51 I could really do.'"
00:52 Cardone added, "Same.
00:53 I already had an impression reel that I had given to my managers that included Rick and
00:56 Morty voices."
00:58 But as Harry mentioned, it was, "Wow, this could be a big opportunity.
01:01 I think I could do these voices."
01:03 Both actors went out for both roles.
01:05 And according to Belden, "It was easily the longest and most intense audition process
01:09 I've ever been a part of, but it was also the most fun."
01:13 Cardone says he first submitted for the part in February and finally learned he got the
01:16 role in June, as there were so many rounds of auditions.
01:27 While many viewers of the show have praised the new voices, there has also been some criticism.
01:31 According to Cardone, "My focus has been on doing the best voice I can.
01:34 As a fan, I know this show touches people worldwide, and the characters mean a lot to
01:38 the fans.
01:39 I share that love of the show and care for the character.
01:42 Wanting to be my best Rick is with me every second I record."
01:45 Belden added, "I completely understand people being nervous.
01:48 Change is scary, especially with something so iconic that many people love.
01:52 But nobody is going to be a harsher critic than yourself.
01:55 So I'm striving to be the best Morty I can be."
01:57 For the pair's full new interview, go to THR.com.
02:00 This is The Hollywood Reporter News.
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