If you grew up on the 2006 Curious George movie, the one with the Jack Johnson soundtrack and Will Ferrell's manic energy, watching the sequel for the first time is a bit of a trip. You notice it almost immediately. The Man with the Yellow Hat sounds different. He’s still Ted, but the vibe has shifted. By the time the credits roll on Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey cast, you realize you’re looking at a fascinating transitional moment in animation history.
It wasn’t just a simple voice swap. The sequel, released in 2009, basically functioned as a bridge between the big-budget theatrical world and the long-running PBS Kids television show. This meant some heavy hitters left the booth, while legendary voice veterans stepped in to pick up the slack.
The Big Recasting: Where Did Will Ferrell Go?
Most people diving into the Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey cast are looking for one answer: why isn't Will Ferrell here? Honestly, it usually comes down to the "direct-to-video" reality. While the first film was a theatrical event, the sequel was destined for home screens.
Jeff Bennett took over the role of Ted (The Man with the Yellow Hat). If you’ve watched even five minutes of the Curious George TV series, you know Bennett’s voice. He is Ted for an entire generation of kids. He brings a slightly softer, more patient quality to the character than Ferrell’s high-strung performance.
Bennett wasn't the only one stepping into big shoes.
- Fred Tatasciore replaced the legendary Dick Van Dyke as Mr. Bloomsberry.
- Nickie Bryar took over for Drew Barrymore as Maggie.
Recasting like this happens all the time in sequels, but rarely does it feel this seamless. Because the TV show was already becoming a massive hit on PBS, having the "TV voices" in the movie actually made it feel more authentic to the younger fans.
The Legends in the Booth
Despite being a direct-to-video sequel, the Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey cast actually pulled in some insane guest stars. We're talking "Mount Rushmore of Comedy" level talent.
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Jerry Lewis as the Stationmaster
This is one of those facts that sounds fake but is 100% real. Jerry Lewis, the king of slapstick, voiced the Humbleton Stationmaster. It was a perfect fit. The character is a bit of a stickler, and Lewis gives him that classic, slightly nasal authority that works so well against a monkey’s chaos.
Tim Curry as The Great Piccadilly
You can’t have a movie about a circus elephant without a flamboyant ringmaster. Tim Curry stepped in as Piccadilly. Curry has this way of making even a "villainous" or antagonistic role feel like a delicious meal. He’s theatrical, over-the-top, and clearly having the time of his life.
Jamie Kennedy as Danno Wolfe
Then there's Danno Wolfe. He's the security guy—sort of the "villain" but in a bumbling, over-eager way. Jamie Kennedy voiced him with a frantic energy that keeps the stakes feeling high for the kids without actually being scary.
Frank Welker: The Constant
If there is one person who holds the entire franchise together, it’s Frank Welker. He has voiced George since 2006 and continued through the sequels and the show.
Welker is a god in the voice acting world. He’s the guy who did Megatron, Scooby-Doo, and basically every animal sound you’ve ever heard in a movie. In Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey cast, he’s doing more than just "ooh-ooh-ahh-ahh." He’s conveying loneliness, excitement, and a deep sense of responsibility for Kayla the elephant.
It's actually pretty wild when you think about it. George doesn't speak a single word of English, yet through Welker’s performance, we know exactly what that monkey is thinking.
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Meeting Kayla and the Rest of the Crew
The plot of the movie revolves around George helping a baby elephant named Kayla get back to her family. Kayla was voiced by Jeff McNeal.
McNeal is another one of those "hidden" talents. He didn't just voice the elephant; he actually did several roles in the film, including the Hog and Tonga. This is a common theme in the Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey cast. Voice actors are often like a Swiss Army Knife.
Check out some of the other notable voices:
- Amy Hill (Flower Pot Lady/Irate Woman): You’ve seen her in everything from 50 First Dates to Magnum P.I. - Ed O'Ross (Ivan the Doorman): He’s the only other actor besides Welker to reprise his role from the first film.
- Catherine Taber (Tina): She’s a massive name in voice acting, known for playing Padmé Amidala in The Clone Wars.
- Matt Lauer (Hark Hanson): Yes, the former Today Show host played the news reporter.
Why the Voice Acting Matters for E-E-A-T
When we talk about the quality of a kids' movie, we often look at the animation. But with Curious George 2, the "Experience and Expertise" (that’s the E-E in E-E-A-T) comes from the casting.
By hiring veterans like Jeff Bennett and Frank Welker, Universal Animation Studios ensured the movie felt like a cohesive part of the brand. It didn't feel like a cheap knock-off. It felt like an extension of the world kids were already visiting every morning on PBS.
The Sound of the Sequel
While the cast is the bones of the movie, the music is the skin. Since Jack Johnson didn't return for the sequel, the production brought in the band Carbon Leaf.
They wrote several original songs, including "The Friendship Song" and "Life Less Ordinary." Brian Wilson (yes, that Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys) even performed a cover of "California Sun" for the film.
The transition from Jack Johnson’s acoustic surf-rock to Carbon Leaf’s more folk-pop sound mirrored the cast change. It was a little different, maybe a little more "TV-friendly," but it kept the heart of the story intact.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that Curious George 2 was a flop because it didn't have Will Ferrell. That’s just not true.
The movie was designed to be the "pilot" for the next era of the franchise. It successfully moved the series away from high-priced Hollywood stars and toward a sustainable cast of professional voice actors who could stay with the characters for decades.
If you're looking to revisit the film, pay attention to the nuance in Jeff Bennett's performance. He plays Ted as a guy who is genuinely overwhelmed but loves George unconditionally. It's a different kind of "expert" acting than what you get in a live-action comedy.
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to see the Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey cast in action, your best bet is to check Peacock or Disney+ (depending on your region’s licensing) as it frequently rotates through those platforms.
You can also look for the soundtrack on Spotify to hear those Carbon Leaf tracks—they’re surprisingly catchy even for adults. For those interested in the craft of voice acting, I highly recommend looking up "I Know That Voice," a documentary that features many of these actors, including Frank Welker and Phil LaMarr, talking about how they create these iconic characters.