In a chat with ComingSoon, actors Mr. Lawrence and Jill Talley, who voice Plankton and his wife Karen respectively in “Plankton: The Movie”, shared insights about the upcoming SpongeBob SquarePants musical. Notably, Mr. Lawrence, who penned the film alongside others, lends his voice to Plankton. The pair talked about collaborating with Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords and Linda Perry, as well as delving into the movie’s central themes. Starting March 7, it will be available on Netflix for streaming.
The movie’s tagline states, “The world of plankton turns topsy-turvy as his scheme for global conquest is foiled.
Tyler Treese: Mr. Lawrence, it seems you’ve contributed significantly to this project as both a story credit holder and co-writer. Given your role as a writer for the series, this collaboration feels quite organic. However, I’m curious about the main differences you encountered while working on a full-length feature film compared to crafting a short episode. There appears to be a substantial scope to explore in this question.
Mr. Lawrence: Absolutely. There’s certainly more factors to take into account when producing a film, as you might imagine. Initially, the concept originated from a special project I had in mind. However, once they proposed, “How about we attempt a movie featuring Sandy and Plankton?”, it clicked for me, “Wow, that’s an idea!” A special would have been fitting for this concept, but I believe it was more suited for a movie format instead. Normally, we’d spend a year brainstorming ideas for a Plankton movie. But in this case, the idea seemed to have presented itself when I was already working on it. [laughs]
It was more than just luck, it seemed like a synchronistic event happening simultaneously for us. This serendipity allowed us to craft an extraordinary story where Karen could truly shine and show her abilities. I believe that element was crucial, as it added the necessary gravity and depth that might have been missing otherwise. In my opinion, it would have been difficult to fully convey the seriousness in a shorter timeframe.
You understand my point, right? It’s similar to the sensation when something falls short of being grandiose. This event is significant, not just a minor incident. I believe using terms like “short” or “shorter version” might have diminished its impact. Instead, we needed ample room for character development in this movie.
Hey Jill, I was wondering if you could help me with something. It seems that the movie Mr. Lawrence mentioned might be titled Plankton: The Movie, but it appears to have a similar vibe as Karen The Movie.
Jill Talley: Thank you, Tyler, for correcting the name [laughs].
In the story, she forges her path independently. She’s got a unique scheme to conquer the world, which exudes a strong aura of self-empowerment. Which part of this independent and empowering character trait in the plot appealed to you the most?
Talley: Isn’t it intriguing for everyone to imagine being a villain? Aren’t we all drawn to playing the role of the villain at times? When we were kids and played games with our siblings, many of us preferred to be the one causing trouble. It offers a more exciting experience, as you can have more fun portraying that character.
Man, I sure did enjoy that! It was fantastic watching Karen give Plankton a piece of her mind. But what took it to another dimension was when Plankson started acting all villainous. I guess you could say he really went for broke, giving an over-the-top performance that had me in stitches [laughs].
It was enjoyable! I really took a liking to it. Discovering a fresh setting for a character we’ve developed extensively felt great, didn’t it?
Hey there! I must say, the tunes in this movie are fantastic. I found out that Brett McKenzie and Linda Perry collaborated on some of the tracks, which made me even more excited since I’m a fan of Flight of the Conchords and 4 Non Blondes. Spotting their names on the credits was quite a thrill! Can you tell me about your experience performing their songs knowing they were created by such talented artists?
As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t contain my excitement! It was absolutely fantastic – one of the most thrilling moments for me. They posed the question: who would we dream of collaborating with? And without a moment’s hesitation, Brett McKenzie popped into my mind. After all, I’ve admired his freelance songwriting skills and adore Flight of the Conchords. Their series, their albums, everything about them resonates deeply with me. So, needless to say, I was overjoyed at the prospect of potentially working with him!
Linda Perry, it completely took me by surprise. I didn’t conceive the idea myself, and I was utterly astounded. When I heard she might collaborate with us, I found myself exclaiming, “Is she really going to work with us?” [laughs]. Honestly, that’s… well, it felt like a dream come true. So, I had the opportunity to visit her studio and arrange the songs with her, the two tracks she ended up working on. And that experience alone, just being part of the music creation process, was… simply extraordinary. In terms of the actual music industry, it was a genuine songwriting session – a real, tangible piece of art.
Perry is extraordinarily talented; not just known for 4 Non Blondes, but also for writing countless incredible songs for numerous individuals. I’ve recognized her abilities for years, and then, unexpectedly, there I was, face to face with her. It was like, “oh my goodness!” – This is…
Talley: Yeah. This is crazy. It’s intimidating.
Mr. Lawrence: Indeed, yes. Truth be told, I deeply hoped she’d appreciate our efforts. I didn’t want her to leave. She had shared some harrowing tales of certain professionals from projects she was engaged in at the moment, which I won’t elaborate on, but they were quite unsettling. However, she praised us for being excellent collaborators, and that made me extremely pleased.
Talley: She exhibited remarkable patience. Working with someone is typically not my line of work, but hers was. Our professions may differ – I deal more with voicework like singing – yet encountering someone as patient and composed as her can be daunting. It adds an additional layer of pressure, you understand? However, she was incredibly soothing and understanding. Her patience and kindness were a great source of comfort, truly helpful in the process.
In the movie, as Jill pointed out, there’s noticeable growth in the character of Karen. She evolves significantly, and her transformation is quite remarkable – she acquires three distinct heads! It must be quite a challenge to find the unique voices for each of these Karens, isn’t it?
Talley initially hesitated, and this seemed to stem from personal doubts or insecurities as an actor. His immediate thought was, “I can’t do that,” or “I won’t be able to do that.” He doubted his ability to sing, feeling uncertain about the possibility.
First, you experience a moment of uncertainty with thoughts like, “I’m not sure I can handle this.” Then, you begin to experiment and think about the voices in your head. Eventually, you discover something that resonates with you, and suddenly… it becomes enjoyable! You keep playing around with it, and before you know it, you feel a sense of connection, much like saying, “Jill finds her rhythm. Discovers the melody, performs the melody. Wow, this is fun!
Mr. Lawrence: Just like singing, we also partake in such activities during our sessions. Initially, we gather, chat, and warm up our vocal cords, and then… Yes, yes.
At some point, you can sense it in the recordings – it’s when everyone lets go and relaxes. There’s no more falsehood or anxiety; instead, there’s pure enjoyment and easy camaraderie. It’s not just about this movie, but all our shared experiences. I find that moment truly delightful.
Mr. Lawrence, considering the length of this series, it’s clear that both children and adults will be watching. The enduring popularity of SpongeBob is evident, and this film beautifully weaves a theme about not underestimating the importance of your partner and expressing gratitude. How did you skillfully incorporate this message? This movie offers an entertaining experience for kids, but even older viewers who tune in might find themselves pondering some thought-provoking ideas after watching.
Mr. Lawrence: Yes, we needed to guide it, as we’d veer off course otherwise, making it unenjoyable. Overdoing it isn’t enjoyable at all.
Talley: It’s just sort of real life and a couple arguing.
As a devoted fan, I can certainly relate to Mr. Lawrence’s sentiments. Marriage is something we both understand, being married ourselves. The show’s charm lies in its authentic portrayal of characters and their lives, which felt genuine when it first began. However, at its core, the show is designed to be entertaining. Even when we delve into serious or angry themes, there’s always a touch of humor that lightens the mood – a hallmark style of our beloved series. Indeed, Spongebob has always strived to keep us laughing, and we aim to maintain that humor in all aspects of the show.
Although we discuss topics that might be considered adult, I believe it’s suitable for children as well due to its family-friendly nature. It’s universally accessible, considering kids are aware of family dynamics like their parents being married, aren’t they? Absolutely. They understand who their parents are and the relationship between them.
Tally: They’re intelligent, and they recognize their intelligence. Even when they have arguments and conflicts, they still cherish one another. Karen and Plankton serve as a prime illustration of this. Indeed, they genuinely love each other.
(In a more conversational way: Tally: They’re really smart, and they know it. Even though they argue, they still care for each other deeply. Karen and Plankton are like that.)
Mr. Lawrence: They stay together.
Appreciation goes out to me (as a fan) for Mr. Lawrence and Jill Talley, who graciously shared their insights on Netflix’s Plankton: The Movie.
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2025-03-07 02:18