Honestly, it’s hard to believe it’s been over fifteen years since we first saw a giant blue head try to "present" his way into our hearts. Megamind wasn’t just another DreamWorks flick. It was a weird, subverted superhero story that somehow felt more human than the stuff it was parodying. But if you’re asking who are the voices in Megamind, you’re probably either settling a debate or wondering why the 2024 sequel sounded… well, different.
The original 2010 cast was basically a lightning-in-a-bottle moment. You had A-list comedy giants at the peak of their powers, and they weren’t just "phoning it in" for a paycheck. They were riffing, improvising, and creating characters that felt alive.
The Big Three: Ferrell, Fey, and Hill
At the center of everything is Will Ferrell. He plays Megamind, the "supervillain" who is really just a theater kid with too much blue face paint. Ferrell’s delivery—mispronouncing "Metro City" as meh-trah-city or calling a school "shool"—is legendary. He brought a specific kind of lonely, desperate-to-be-loved energy that most actors would have played too broad. Before Ferrell took the role, the production actually looked at Ben Stiller and even Robert Downey Jr. Imagine how different that movie would have felt with RDJ’s snark instead of Ferrell’s goofy charm.
Then you have Tina Fey as Roxanne Ritchi. She’s not just a Lois Lane clone. Fey plays her with this dry, exhausted wit. She’s the smartest person in the room, and you can hear that "I’ve seen this all before" tone in every line. She and Ferrell actually got to record some sessions together, which is pretty rare in animation. That’s why their banter feels so snappy and real.
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And we can’t forget Jonah Hill as Hal Stewart (aka Tighten). Hal is maybe one of the most unsettling villains in animation because he’s so... realistic. He’s the "nice guy" who turns into a monster the moment he’s rejected. Jonah Hill nails that transition from pathetic loser to terrifying, god-like bully.
The Supporting Legends
- Brad Pitt as Metro Man: He’s basically playing a version of Elvis if Elvis had heat vision. Pitt doesn't do a ton of voice work, but he perfectly captured the hollow, "I'm-over-it" charisma of a hero who just wants to play the cowbell.
- David Cross as Minion: The talking fish in a robot gorilla suit. Cross brings a sweetness to Minion that keeps him from being just a generic sidekick. He’s the emotional glue of the movie.
- J.K. Simmons as The Warden: Long before he was an Oscar winner, he was the exasperated guy trying to keep Megamind in a cell.
- Ben Stiller as Bernard: While he didn't play the lead, Stiller stayed on as an executive producer and voiced the dry, cynical museum curator who Megamind eventually "borrows" the appearance of.
What Happened in the 2024 Sequel?
If you’ve watched Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate or the Megamind Rules! series, you probably noticed a massive shift. The original heavy hitters—Ferrell, Fey, Pitt, and Hill—did not return.
Instead, Keith Ferguson took over the mantle of Megamind. Now, Ferguson is a pro. He’s done the voice for video games and commercials for years. The creators call it a "feel-alike" casting rather than a "sound-alike." They wanted someone who could handle the "ten hours" of dialogue needed for a TV show, which is a huge time commitment most movie stars won't sign up for.
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Laura Post stepped in for Tina Fey as Roxanne, and Josh Brener (from Silicon Valley) replaced David Cross as Minion, though the character's name was changed to "Ol' Chum" due to some legal-sounding in-universe joke about a fast-food chain. Even Metro Man changed, with Ross Marquand taking over for Brad Pitt.
Why the Original Voices Still Matter
The 2010 film worked because it was a character study disguised as a comedy. When you ask who are the voices in Megamind, you're really asking about the soul of the movie.
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The chemistry between the original cast created a movie that actually aged better than Despicable Me (which came out the same year). It dealt with toxic masculinity, identity, and the idea that "destiny" is a choice. You need actors with serious range to pull that off without it feeling like a lecture.
How to Appreciate the Cast Even More
- Listen for the Ad-libs: Most of the "Hello, citizens!" and the random noises Megamind makes were Ferrell just messing around in the booth.
- Check the Credits: Look for the small roles. Justin Theroux (from The Leftovers) voices Megamind’s dad, and the director himself, Tom McGrath, voices several characters including Lord Scott.
- Watch the Climax Again: Pay attention to how the voice actors change their performance when they are "in disguise." Will Ferrell doing an impression of J.K. Simmons' Warden is a masterclass in meta-acting.
If you’re diving back into the world of Metro City, start with the 2010 original. The voices aren't just background noise; they are the reason the movie is a cult classic.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go back and watch the "Button of Doom" short film. It’s the last time the original cast (specifically Ferrell and Cross) voiced these characters before the 2024 reboot, and it serves as a much better "true" sequel to the story.