Charlie Berens is voicing a character in 'The Twits,' new animated movie coming to Netflix

Yahoo

9 hours ago

One of Wisconsin's most-recognized voices will be voicing a character in "The Twits," a new animated film coming to Netflix this fall.
That would be Charlie Berens, who will be the voice of Gorb Klurb in the first screen adaptation of the Roald Dahl book of the same name.
From his garage, the Wisconsin comedian made the announcement on his Instagram Story Aug. 5, during which he said he's "super excited."
Berens joins a cast of stars, including Margo Martindale, Natalie Portman, Emilia Clarke, Nicole Byer, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Ryan Lopez.
The movie was written, directed and produced by Academy Award nominee Phil Johnston, whose favorite book growing up was "The Twits," according to a report on Tudum, Netflix's official companion site. Johnston's other works include "Wreck-It Ralph," "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (which earned him an Oscar nomination) and "Zootopia."
Johnston — who Berens called his "buddy" and "the mastermind" behind the movie — also wrote "Cedar Rapids"; Berens was a production assistant on that 2011 Ed Helms comedy. ("Got a credit already — not to brag," Berens said in his video announcement.)
"The Twits'" team, according to Tudum, also includes Jellyfish Pictures, which is animating the movie; co-directors Katie Shanahan and Todd Demong; producers Maggie Malone and Daisy West; and writer Meg Favreau.
As for the film's original music, David Byrne of the Talking Heads wrote and produced several songs for it, which are performed by the cast. Byrne brought in Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams to co-write and perform the end-credits song with him.
With Netflix's acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company in 2021, the streaming service has a lineup of Dahl projects in the pipeline, including an animated "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Dahl's other iconic children's books include, "Matilda" and "James and the Giant Peach," among others. While Dahl died at age 74 in 1990, his legacy lives on through his legendary works and the new life that continues to be breathed into them.
What is 'The Twits' animated film about?
According to Tudum:
Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world, who also happen to own and operate the most disgusting, most dangerous, most idiotic amusement park in the world, Twitlandia. But when the Twits rise to power in their town, two brave orphans and a family of magical animals are forced to become as tricky as the Twits in order to save the city.
When does 'The Twits' come out on Netflix?
"The Twits" will be released on the streaming platform on Oct. 17.
"Mark your calendars," Berens said in his video. "We'll see you guys soon. And uhh, do watch out for them deer — OK."
More about Charlie Berens
Berens, who grew up in Elm Grove and New Berlin, is a comedian, New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Award-winning journalist.
He's known for his hilarious videos about all things life in the Midwest. He also wrote "The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink and Eat … Everything With Ranch," hosts "The Cripescast Podcast" and has several other endeavors, including Berens Old Fashioned Brandy.
In the movie "Green and Gold," which played in theaters earlier this year, Berens portrayed a radio host on a Door County station.
In a Journal Sentinel interview this year, Berens shared that he has filmed a standup special.
He has a slew of shows scheduled in Wisconsin in September, several of which are sold out (tickets are still available for an Aug. 27 taping of the "Bellied Up" podcast at the Vivarium in Milwaukee).
And, in November, he'll be hitting the road for "The Lost & Found Tour." More information, including dates and locations can be found at his website (charlieberens.com).
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Charlie Berens adding his voice to 'The Twits,' new animated movie
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