Daffy Duck & Porky Pig Voice Actor on New Looney Tunes Movie, Hopes for Coyote vs. Acme

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In an exclusive interview, Brandon Schreur (Senior Editor at ComingSoon) chatted with Eric Bauza about lending his voice to both Daffy Duck and Porky Pig in the upcoming 2D-animated film titled “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.” During their conversation, Bauza shared insights into working on this new Looney Tunes project, expressed his aspirations for the revival of Coyote vs. Acme, and delved into other interesting topics.

In this upcoming movie, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck find themselves thrust into heroic roles when a hidden alien mind control scheme is exposed at the local gum factory. With the fate of their town (and possibly the world) hanging in the balance, they must confront insurmountable cosmic challenges. However, their quest to save the day might just end up pushing each other over the edge into complete madness!

On March 14, 2025, the hilarious movie “The Day the Earth Exploded: A Looney Tunes Production” hits U.S. theaters, courtesy of Ketchup Entertainment.

Brandon Schreur: It’s a pleasure to talk about Looney Tunes with you! Eric, how are things going for you? (Informal and friendly tone)

Eric Bauza: [Daffy Duck voice] Eric, who’s he? I’m Daffy. Nice to meet you.

[Porky Pig voice] D-d-d-don’t mess around with the host. Hi, I’m Porky [laughs]

[Normal voice] Daffy, Porky, I can take over from here. Hey, how’s it going, Brandon?

Daffy, Porky, it was nice to meet you guys, too.

They’re back on the posters, there, now.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the film! Just wanted to say congratulations on the movie. I watched it last night and had a fantastic time. It was brilliantly done, so my compliments to you!”

I truly appreciate your compliment. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that our work is seen by others when we’re deeply focused on the task at hand. Hearing praise like yours carries a significant weight, so I genuinely thank you for sharing your kind words.

Absolutely! One aspect of this film that resonated strongly with me was its strong resemblance to classic Looney Tunes. As a Millennial, I spent countless hours watching Space Jam and Back in Action at home. This movie’s live-action hybrid style reminded me of those early cartoons, complete with the 2D animation, timeless jokes, and everything else that made them great. Even though I’ve voiced Daffy and Porky before, this project had me revisiting the original 1930s and 1940s cartoons to get in the right mindset for this role.

Every single time, I will start with the same thing: consistency is key, as they say, and that’s what I appreciate about these characters. Whether you’re a voice actor, musician, director, writer, or producer, the core remains unchanged, but the path around it shifts. The destination of the wheel may change, but you’ll always be part of the journey with these familiar faces. After all, I’ll be going back to watch the original shorts just like before, so I can learn from Mel Blanc and mimic his magic. If it tickles your funny bone and works, that’s because I’m trying to recreate what I imagine Mel would do. Or, to put it another way, I’m taking those familiar melodies and giving them a fresh spin, offering a new tune you’ve never heard from Mel Blanc, but one that you know he could have sung with ease.

It’s completely logical. Another aspect of this film that I find thrilling is its theatrical release component. In almost a century of Looney Tunes, there haven’t been many movies produced. Even fewer of these have been shown in theaters. Despite the well-known Coyote vs. Acme saga, it’s still exciting for me to think that people will get the chance to watch this on the big screen, isn’t it?

I’m excited to see that audiences are flocking in, buying tickets, and showering it with lots of positive feedback. Apart from you, we’ve been receiving an abundance of fantastic reviews. I just hope this encourages the studio to produce more stories featuring these characters, and maybe even more 2D content. It feels like a wonderful comeback, and I can only wish that it sparks a new era for Looney Tunes similar to what we enjoyed in the ’80s and ’90s.

Absolutely, I’m fully supportive of your idea, as it mirrored my own thoughts during the viewing. Here’s hoping this endeavor succeeds! Now, regarding the movie, you’ve noticed that I lend my voice to both Daffy and Porky. I’m eager to share some insights into the recording process. So, when in the booth, do I alternate between characters, simulating a dialogue? Or do I record all of Daffy’s lines first before moving on to Porky’s? Let me clarify how it works.

Indeed, I find myself quite like the character Porky Pig when conversing with you, Brandon. We could certainly engage in a friendly exchange reminiscent of Porky’s style. However, let’s remember that we should be mindful of your time constraints, Daffy. Greetings to you as well.

In terms of scenarios like these, it’s feasible to make repeated back-and-forth transitions in brief intervals. However, when we’re dealing with a session or a movie, there’s ample time available to delve deeper into the characters. Unlike television productions where we often rush through, here we can leisurely pace ourselves due to having 90 minutes to scrutinize their relationship or origins. This added depth intensifies the situations and raises the stakes, making it even more crucial because, after all, that’s why we choose to watch it.

Absolutely! You brought up the origin of the characters, and I was curious about it as well. The opening montage featuring Farmer Jim really tugged at my heartstrings; it was unexpectedly emotional, even in a Looney Tunes movie. I didn’t anticipate feeling so moved. Is it more difficult to delve into those emotional aspects compared to maintaining the wacky and humorous tone?

Indeed, as you’ve pointed out, various combinations of Looney Tunes characters have been showcased, with Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, Sylvester and Tweety, and Bugs and Daffy being some examples. However, these pairings often revolve around one character trying to outwit or harm the other. In contrast, the duo of Daffy and Porky has traditionally been less about mutual destruction and more about their shared existence. Today, we’ll witness another instance of Daffy attempting to disrupt Porky’s day. Interestingly, this time, we’ll get a glimpse of just how far Porky can be pushed. And it seems that he reaches his limit and responds to Daffy with an intensity that we don’t usually see.

Absolutely, yes! I understand what you’re referring to as well, in the third act, where the relationship unfolds. I found it all incredibly well-executed.

As a gamer, I can totally relate! Just like how Peter Browngardt often references Dumb and Dumber, where the characters remain largely unchanged throughout the film, even doing the most ridiculous things. For these characters, it’s all part of their charm – you don’t want them to change too much. Instead, it feels right to keep some mystery and potential for another adventure, leaving the story open-ended without a definitive resolution.

Absolutely! I found Petuina Pig to be a delightful new addition to this film. Although she’s been around in Looney Tunes for quite some time, this is the first time I’ve seen her take such a significant role in a story. The dynamics between Porky and Petuina were fascinating, and I must say that your team did an excellent job with the vocal performances. I was curious to know more about your experience working with her and bringing those memorable moments to life.

Indeed, it’s the remarkable Candi Milo we’re referring to, who has graced Looney Tunes for quite some time, spanning numerous years. Notably, she was Sweetie from the initial Tiny Toon Adventures series. For me, Candi is simply one of the funniest individuals I’ve encountered. She possesses a unique knack for bringing jokes, both written and spoken, to life in a comedic manner. All in all, her talent is boundless. But what truly sets her apart is her generosity. As a performer, she freely shares her skills and friendships. I’ve long admired her and found her inspiring. It’s heartening that she could be part of this production, demonstrating that animation isn’t solely dominated by males.

Absolutely! We’ve touched on the topic of wanting to see more Looney Tunes productions in the future. Apart from Daffy and Porky, I wonder if you have a favorite character or two that you would love to see more of, especially in potential new movies? Or perhaps you have an idea for an interesting pairing like Daffy and Porky that could be explored further?

[Bugs Bunny tone] It’s great that you asked me this question since I have been wondering, why isn’t a rabbit allowed to have their own movie when everyone else seems to get one?

A more suitable sequel for the film could be Bugs Bunny, in my opinion. Stranger events have transpired; if this film succeeds financially, it might bring a different movie out of storage and into cinemas. After all, it’s already been produced. They just need to hit play.

I’m hoping. I really want to see it, so I’m hoping.

It seems I’m trying to convey that I wasn’t the person protesting in a coyote costume outside the studio yesterday, as I was in New York City at the time, attending a Broadway show. There are videos proving my whereabouts, so I can’t be held responsible for the actions of the costumed protester, Warner Bros. I’m not guilty of this one.

Thanks to Eric Bauza for discussing The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.

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2025-03-14 00:42