Solar Opposites: Dan Stevens Opens Up About Taking Over the Show's Lead Role (Exclusive)

As a longtime fan of animated adult comedy, I was absolutely thrilled when I found myself stepping into the role of Korvo in Solar Opposites. With my thick British accent and a penchant for voice acting, it seemed like fate had finally aligned for this die-hard animation enthusiast!

In the case of the popular Hulu animated series, Solar Opposites, they opted for a unique twist when it came to casting their lead character, unlike Rick and Morty. Both shows experienced a change with their lead voice actor and producer, Justin Roiland, being removed from his roles. Unlike Rick and Morty, which replaced both characters with actors who mimicked their original voices perfectly, Solar Opposites seized the opportunity to develop something fresh for the character of Korvo. Instead of Roiland, they brought in well-known genre actor Dan Stevens, known for his thick British accent, to breathe life into the character.

In a refreshing change, Korvo’s new voice in “Solar Opposites” proved incredibly effective, as the series wholeheartedly utilized this transformation and capitalized on it. With the fifth season now streaming on Hulu, ComicBook recently sat down with Stevens to discuss his journey to becoming the main character in “Solar Opposites.”

As an ardent admirer of adult animation, I enthusiastically expressed my appreciation for a true gem, sharing this sentiment during our conversation with Stevens. With a lifelong passion for voiceover work and animation, I’ve been gradually making my mark in the industry. To my surprise, it’s not as straightforward as one might think. Just because you have a successful career in television shows or films doesn’t automatically mean you’ll find yourself in these roles. Some people may shy away from this niche, but for me, it’s an irresistible draw. When the opportunity to voice a character presented itself, I eagerly stepped up to the plate. Mike [McMahon] found my portrayal of an angry, quintessentially British character quite amusing. I believe they cleverly chose a charming, uncomplicated, and whimsical approach to signal a change in the dynamic – making it fresh and exciting.

“Previously, it might have been common practice to replace an actor without much fuss, but it seems less frequent today. I was pleasantly surprised that I could seamlessly step into the role. It appears the audience has mostly accepted the change. In my opinion, this swap emphasizes the unique identity of our show compared to Rick and Morty. Earlier, their similarities were rooted in a shared voice, but now they stand apart.”

Stevens continued by explaining that his original accent was consistently preferred by the Solar team when it came to contributing to their project. It wasn’t about experimenting with how dissimilar he could sound, but rather aiming for a portrayal that differed from Roiland’s interpretation yet accurately conveyed Korvo’s character essence.

In my own words, here’s how I was asked to portray my character: “They needed me to speak in my native accent to keep Korvo’s tone authentic and true to the character. My character is meticulous, on a mission, a bit frustrated about being stuck on this less-than-ideal planet, but determined to make the best of it. There’s a lot of love between him and Terry, which I believe adds that sweetness and optimism. It’s like another dysfunctional family who always manage to find solutions in any situation, all while being bound by their affection for each other. I absolutely adore the other characters too. I think Thomas [Middleditch] does a fantastic job with Terry, and it’s a pleasure to act opposite him.”

You can now stream Season 5 of “Solar Opposites” on Hulu, along with the initial four seasons of the show. Notably, the series has been given the green light for another season, Season 6.

2024-08-13 06:39

Solar Opposites: Dan Stevens Opens Up About Taking Over the Show’s Lead Role (Exclusive)

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