You probably remember that quirky wolf movie from 2010. Alpha and Omega was everywhere for a hot second. It had this weirdly star-studded cast for a mid-budget animated flick—we’re talking Danny Glover, Christina Ricci, and even Dennis Hopper in his final film role. But the heart of the movie was Humphrey, the fun-loving "Omega" wolf. And honestly, Justin Long was the perfect choice to voice him. He had that specific "stuttery but charming" energy that defined the late 2000s.
But then, things got weird.
The movie actually did okay at the box office, pulling in about $50.5 million on a $20 million budget. That’s a win in Hollywood math. Naturally, Lionsgate wanted sequels. They didn't just want one; they wanted seven. But if you sat down to watch Alpha and Omega 2: A Howl-iday Adventure, you might have noticed something felt... off. Humphrey’s voice had changed. The original stars were gone.
The Humphrey Shuffle: Why Justin Long Left the Pack
It’s a classic Hollywood story, but with a low-budget twist. When the first Alpha and Omega hit theaters in 2010, Justin Long was at the top of his game. He was the "Mac Guy" from the Apple commercials. He was Alvin in the massive Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise. He was doing big-screen rom-coms with Drew Barrymore.
Basically, he was expensive.
When the production pivoted to direct-to-video sequels, the budget plummeted. They couldn't afford the A-list (or even B-list) talent anymore. This is why Justin Long didn't return for the sequels. He was replaced by Ben Diskin, a very talented voice actor, but clearly a move to save on payroll.
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It wasn't just about the money
Scheduling is a beast. By the time the first sequel went into production around 2013, Long was busy with projects like Tusk and his voice work for Skylanders Academy. It’s pretty common for actors to sign on for a theatrical one-off and then skip the "straight-to-DVD" afterlife.
- The First Film: Justin Long brought a specific, ad-libbed feel to Humphrey.
- The Sequels: The character became more generic as the franchise leaned into younger, less demanding audiences.
- The Legacy: For many, the original film is the only "canon" version because of that original chemistry between Long and Hayden Panettiere.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Franchise
There's this weird misconception that the movie failed. People look at the 18% Rotten Tomatoes score and assume it was a disaster. It wasn't. It was actually the highest-grossing animated film from Lionsgate at the time.
The real "failure" in the eyes of fans was how the sequels handled the characters. When you lose the original voice, you lose the soul of the character. Justin Long’s Humphrey was a slacker with a heart of gold. The later versions of Humphrey felt like a Saturday morning cartoon caricature.
It’s a bit of a bummer. The original Alpha and Omega had some genuine heart, mostly thanks to the voice cast's ability to elevate a fairly standard "star-crossed lovers" plot. Without Long's specific comedic timing—that "uh, wait, what?" cadence he does so well—the character lost his edge.
Why Justin Long Still Matters to the Fandom
Even in 2026, you'll find people on Reddit and TikTok dissecting the "Justin Long era" of this franchise. It’s nostalgic. For a generation of kids, he was the voice of their childhood, alongside his role as Alvin the Chipmunk.
He didn't just read lines. He gave Humphrey a personality that felt modern. Most animated wolves before 2010 were either scary or purely noble. Long made Humphrey a "dude." He was relatable. He was the guy who just wanted to log-slide and hang out, but ended up having to save the day.
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What Really Happened with the Animation?
If you've revisited the movie lately, you might notice the animation hasn't aged... great. It was produced by Crest Animation Productions. They were trying to compete with Pixar and DreamWorks on a fraction of the budget.
Using Justin Long was a strategic move to mask the technical limitations. If the characters sound great and have personality, you don't notice as much that the fur textures look a little flat. It worked—until he left. Once the sequels hit, the drop in both animation quality and voice talent became impossible to ignore.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking to dive back into this world or introduce it to a new generation, keep these things in mind:
- Stick to the 2010 Original: If you want the true Justin Long experience, the first film is the only one that features his voice. It's the only one with the theatrical "polish."
- Check the Credits: When browsing streaming services, verify the year. Many platforms bundle the sequels, and it’s easy to accidentally start a sequel where the character's personality feels completely different.
- Appreciate the Voice Work: Watch for the scenes where Humphrey interacts with the ducks (Paddy and Marcel). Long’s improvisational style shines here, and it's a great example of how a good voice actor can save a script.
The story of Alpha and Omega and Justin Long is a perfect snapshot of a specific era in animation—where star power was used to launch a franchise that eventually took on a life of its own in the bargain bin. Long moved on to more "prestige" horror and indie projects, but for a lot of us, he'll always be the omega wolf who just wanted to howl at the moon with the right girl.
To get the most out of the original film today, try watching the "Log Sliding" scenes specifically. They highlight the physical comedy that Long’s voice work had to carry. You can find the original 2010 version on most major VOD platforms, usually for a few bucks or as part of a "Family Favorites" bundle.