You know that feeling when you're watching a movie and you hear a voice that is so incredibly familiar it physically hurts your brain? That's basically the entire experience of watching voices in Sing 2. Most animated sequels just phone it in, but Illumination somehow managed to assemble a roster that feels more like a Grammy Awards backstage than a recording booth in Burbank.
Honestly, it's kind of wild. You've got Matthew McConaughey leading the charge as Buster Moon, but then you look at the new additions. Bono? Halsey? Pharrell? It’s not just a cast; it’s a flex.
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The Massive Names Behind the Voices in Sing 2
If you thought the first movie was stacked, the sequel basically said "hold my microphone." The biggest shocker for most people was definitely Bono. He voices Clay Calloway, a reclusive lion who’s basically a legendary rock star who lost his spark after his wife died.
Bono doesn't really do "voice acting." This was a rare move. He actually told Rolling Stone that he helped shape the character, even contributing the line, "Some people sing for a living, some people sing to survive." That’s deep for a movie about a theater-running koala, right?
But it wasn't just the U2 frontman.
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The New Heavy Hitters
- Halsey as Porsha Crystal: She plays the spoiled but talented daughter of the villain. Halsey’s performance is actually really funny because Porsha is a terrible actress but an incredible singer—which is a weird thing for an actual singer to have to pull off.
- Bobby Cannavale as Jimmy Crystal: He’s the terrifying wolf mogul. He brings this weird, corporate menace that makes him one of the more legit villains in an Illumination flick.
- Pharrell Williams as Alfonso: He plays an elephant ice cream vendor who becomes a love interest for Meena. It’s a small role, but come on, it’s Pharrell.
- Letitia Wright as Nooshy: Before she was leading Wakanda Forever, she was voicing this street-dancing lynx who helps Johnny find his rhythm.
Returning Legends
Of course, the core gang is back. Matthew McConaughey is still the fast-talking Buster Moon, bringing that "alright, alright, alright" energy to a koala in a suit. Reese Witherspoon returns as Rosita, the overworked mom pig who just wants to soar.
Then there's Scarlett Johansson as Ash. Most people forget how good of a singer she actually is. Her duet with Bono at the end? Literal chills. It’s one of those moments where the voices in Sing 2 transcend the "kids' movie" label and actually become a legitimate musical moment.
Taron Egerton is back as Johnny, the gorilla with the voice of an angel. Fun fact: Taron did all his own singing (again), proving that his Rocketman chops weren't a fluke. And we can't forget Tori Kelly as Meena. She’s arguably the best technical singer in the whole cast, which makes sense because she’s, well, Tori Kelly.
The Weird Cameos You Probably Missed
There are some deep cuts in this cast. Chelsea Peretti (Gina from Brooklyn Nine-Nine) plays Suki, the canine talent scout who initially shoots Buster down. Eric André shows up as Darius, a highly conceited yak who is just... a lot.
Even the director, Garth Jennings, gets in on the action. He voices Miss Crawly, the elderly lizard with the glass eye that’s constantly popping out. It’s hilarious because he’s this soft-spoken British filmmaker voicing a chaotic, elderly reptile.
Why the Casting Matters So Much
Most animated films hire "voice actors" to sound like characters. Sing 2 hired "personas."
When you hear Halsey sing "Could Have Been Me," you aren't just hearing Porsha; you're hearing a global pop star bring that specific grit. It adds a layer of reality to a movie where a pig does a high-dive into a giant bowl of water.
There's also the E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust) factor here from a production standpoint. Illumination didn't just grab famous people for the sake of a poster. They picked people who could actually handle the musicality. You can't fake a duet with Bono. You just can't.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch
If you're planning to watch it again (or for the first time), keep your ears peeled for these specific things:
- The Daughter Connection: Matthew McConaughey’s daughter, Vita, actually has a small cameo as one of the piglets.
- The Wes Anderson Link: Famous director Wes Anderson has a tiny voice role as "Tia." Don't ask me why, he's just there.
- The Scripting: Bono’s character, Clay Calloway, was heavily influenced by Bono’s own experiences with grief and fame. It’s why the dialogue feels a bit more "grown-up" in those scenes.
The voices in Sing 2 are what turned a standard sequel into a massive hit that still trends on streaming platforms years later. It’s a rare case where the star power actually serves the story instead of distracting from it.
To get the most out of the movie, definitely listen to the soundtrack on high-quality headphones after watching. You'll pick up on the nuances in Taron Egerton’s and Scarlett Johansson’s vocals that you might miss through standard TV speakers. Also, check out the "Behind the Scenes" featurettes if you can find them—seeing Bono in a recording booth next to a drawing of a lion is an experience in itself.