Saturday, May 23, 2009

A Fourth Echo...


With the sad news of losing Wayne Allwine comes the realization that now someone else will be doing the voice of Mickey Mouse...

While it's been known that Wayne was suffering from diabetes, it wasn't known by most of us that it was as bad as it turned out to be. I've talked to several sources around the lot and it's interesting how things have/are developing.

It's been known around the lot that Wayne's been coming into work with a walker. Everyone thought he was in bad health but no one expected it to be that bad. The people in Disney Character Voices, knowing that he wouldn't last forever with his health deteriorating, had begun screening for the fourth voice of Mickey Mouse months ago. They wanted to find an understudy for Wayne to mentor like Jimmy MacDonald did to him. They've cast a wide net inside the company's creative departments. Anyone inside Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios or Disney Toon Studios who is interested are being tested to see who does the alter ego of Walt best.

A decision hasn't been made yet, but possibly later this year we'll find out who takes the character onward and further into the 21st Century. Remember whoever gets these gigs tends to last 25 to 30 years. It's strange, but nothing last forever.

Except maybe Mickey Mouse...

6 comments:

Spokker said...

"It's strange, but nothing last forever.

Except maybe Mickey Mouse... "

Depends on how long Disney can extend that copyright :)

Honor Hunter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Horace said...

Mr Allwine's work over the years is much appreciated. It's very sad to see him leave us like this, and our hearts go out to his family and friends.

Personally, I prefer a more pantomime Mickey, like the original shorts. Today's animation is too much like radio shows with pictures, with constant dialogue. But even though the modern Mickey is way too chatty for my taste, Mr Allwine did a great job with it, and will be hard to replace.

BenjaminTapia said...

is there any way that i can try out for mickeys fourth voice? its getting me nervous knowing so many are trying it out yet no decision has been made. anyone please let me know how.

Matt said...

Anyone else thinks this sounds very reminiscent of the choosing of a new Pope?

Melanie said...

Mr. Allwine was such a great man, and I'm sad to know he's gone. But I know Disney will find someone new to voice Mickey eventually. I hope they choose a person who really understands Mickey's personality and what he would say, like Mr. Allwine did.