When Nickelodeon greenlit a preschool animated series based on the Baby Shark from the South Korean company Pinkfong that became a global sensation, it didn’t come as a complete surprise. So a movie aptly titled Baby Shark’s Big Movie seemed the logical next step. Following the adventures of the titular character Baby Shark (voiced by Kimiko Glenn) and his best friend William (Luke Youngblood), Baby Shark is forced to leave behind the world he loves after his family’s move to the big city and must adjust to his new life without his best friend William. When Baby Shark encounters an evil pop starfish named Stariana, who plans to steal his gift of song in order to dominate all underwater music, he must break her spell to restore harmony to the seas.
Ahead of the film’s release on the Paramount+ streaming platform this Friday, we had the chance to chat not only with the Kimiko Glenn and Luke Youngblood who voice Baby Shark and his bestie William, but also Chloe Fineman, of Saturday Night Live fame, who plays the hyper lovable lantern fish named Lannie.
Taimur Dar: One of the advantages of voiceover is that the actors don’t necessarily have to be in the same room. Did any of you record together or was it all solo?
Kimiko Glenn: All solo, unfortunately. Although, we have a television show as well and sometimes in that situation we get to be on the same Zoom together. Luke and I often share a Zoom. When we do an ensemble record and we have a bunch of the different players in the cast, it is probably the world’s cutest Zoom. I wish it wasn’t in my headphones because there are so many times I wish I could just record how adorable it is. It’s all these adults doing baby voices! It’s unreal!
[Laughter]
Dar: Guiding the actors is voice director Sirena Irwin. As Kimiko mentioned, both she and Luke work with her on the television show while this is the first time for Chloe. What was the experience being directed by someone who is considered one of the best in the business?
Chloe Fineman: Sirena is a legend. She is incredible. I was so blown away. Her voice on its own can do every sound and every shape. Sometimes I felt like I was watching a cartoon. You get to watch a show while being directed. She’s amazing. I was so honored. I feel like I learned more about voice acting just watching her.
Glenn: She’s such a kind person. I love that you’re calling her out in this way because she’s truly such a joy to work with. Her readings are just so beautiful when she’s reading the scene with you as whatever character you have the scene with. [She has] no ego, and pure energy and so sweet. [She] makes it very easy to enjoy your job.
Luke Youngblood: And just a total genius. I’m always blown away by the fact that she’s able to know that we’ve given the right performance when we’re not even in the room with the other actors. You [can] see her stitching and piecing it all together. The fact that it comes out as the most seamless product, you would have no idea we recorded weeks and even months apart and in separate parts of the country. She’s a complete and total genius. I bow to that woman every time I’m in a studio.
Fineman: She can kind of do every voice of every character.
Youngblood: It’s crazy!
Fineman: [She’s like], “I’ll read you in as Mommy Shark!” She would read for me as Baby Shark. Her range is Meryl Streep level.
Glenn: I want to hear her do Baby! [Laughs].
Youngblood: She’s actually really good and I’m like, “What do I sound like?” I haven’t ever asked her to do William, but I think I’m going to have to ask her the next time.
[Laughter]Dar: You’ve all have worked projects meant for older audiences as well as younger viewers like Baby Shark’s Big Movie. What kind of joy and satisfaction do you get out of working in children’s media?
Glenn: It’s obviously balanced, working in both equally. I didn’t realize how much it would make me feel like I was doing something good in the world when I started doing more children’s programming and seeing what the kids are learning that week. It’s just so beautiful. I start the week on a Monday morning 9 a.m. and end the week Friday 6 p.m. doing Baby Shark. It’s the best flanking of a week. I feel like I start out so positive and I end the week so positive. It reminds me of the goodness in the world. I’m loving it!
Dar: Chloe, you voice Lanni, a role which definitely plays into your strength with impressions. How did you come up with such a unique voice?
Fineman: I feel like I embody her when I’m talking to my dog and then taking my nervousness and social awkwardness in my own life and combining the two was really delightful. I think most people can relate to a character who knows they have a big personality and is afraid of overwhelming people. But then lets their color shine and freak flag fly. I really related to her journey in a way that I wasn’t expecting. I was genuinely touched. She’s a gay icon! She’s the voice of the people and she’s beautiful.
Dar: Finally, is there a celebrity or musician you’d love to see appear in the world of Baby Shark?
Youngblood: I actually haven’t thought about this which is very silly considering we get such iconic people on the show. I think that’s why I haven’t thought about it because I’m always surprised by the amazing cast members we’re always put with. You guys go first while I think of an answer.
Glenn: I’m always so impressed by the cast list when I see it. I can’t even believe we got Cardi B. I would love to hear Jessie J sing on a track somehow. Obviously, I was thinking of Ariana Grande with Stariana. As I think about it, Beyoncé would sound really good.
Fineman: I would love to see two sharks, one is Britney Spears and the other is Paris Hilton, and they sing a song together.
Youngblood: I was listening to a podcast the other day that Busta Rhymes was being interviewed on and his voice and vocal quality alone just sends chills through my body. He has to be on the show.
Fineman: That’s like the perfect idea. No notes!
Baby Shark’s Big Movie will be available to stream December 8th on Paramount+.
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