You know him as the lightning-fast Shazam. Or maybe as the voice of the charming Flynn Rider in Tangled. But back in 2009, Zachary Levi took a detour into one of the most successful family franchises of all time. We’re talking about Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, a movie that made a staggering $443 million globally and yet, somehow, Levi’s involvement often gets lost in the shuffle of his superhero career.
He played Toby Seville.
Dave’s cousin. The guy who basically had to babysit three CGI rodents while Jason Lee’s Dave was stuck in a hospital bed in Paris. It’s a weirdly specific moment in Hollywood history where a rising TV star from Chuck was suddenly thrust into the middle of a "squeakquel" that everyone’s kids were obsessed with.
Why was Zachary Levi even in this movie?
Honestly, the story of how Levi ended up in the Seville household is mostly about logistics. Jason Lee, the face of the franchise, had a very limited schedule during production. He was busy with other projects and, if we're being real, the script needed a way to keep Dave out of the action so a new human lead could take the reins.
Enter Toby Seville.
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At the time, Zachary Levi was the "it" guy for NBC. Chuck was a cult hit. He had that perfect blend of "awkward nerd" and "secretly capable" that worked for a character who lived with his grandmother and spent most of his time playing Wii Sports.
Toby wasn't Dave. He was the slacker cousin. He was the guy who accidentally knocked his grandmother down the stairs at the airport—sending her to the hospital and leaving him in charge of the boys. It was a classic "man-child forced to grow up" arc, just with more high-pitched singing.
The character of Toby Seville: More than just a Dave replacement?
Toby is a gamer. Specifically, a video game tester who is deeply insecure about his high school years. In the film, he tries to act cool in front of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, but they see right through it. There’s a scene where they basically call him out for still living with his grandma and saying "pew-pew-pew" all day.
It’s pretty funny.
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Levi actually brings a lot of physical comedy to the role. Think back to the scene where he’s trying to navigate a romantic moment with Julie Ortega (played by Anjelah Johnson-Reyes) while simultaneously trying to keep the Chipmunks from ruining a concert. He’s lanky, he’s clumsy, and he has that "I’m just trying my best" energy that eventually became his trademark in the DC Universe.
Key facts about Toby’s role in the film:
- Occupation: Video game tester (living his best/worst life).
- The Love Interest: He has a massive crush on Julie Ortega, his former classmate.
- The Conflict: He’s terrified of his old school bullies, which mirrors the Chipmunks' own struggles in the new school environment.
- The "Hero" Moment: He eventually steps up to help save the Chipettes from the villainous Ian Hawke (David Cross).
What people get wrong about Levi’s "Chipmunks" era
There’s this misconception that actors only do these movies for the paycheck. While the money was undoubtedly good—the first film was a monster hit—Levi actually seemed to enjoy the absurdity. In interviews from that era, he talked about the challenge of acting against nothing. You’re talking to a piece of tape on a stick that will eventually be a singing chipmunk. That takes a specific kind of skill, or at least a very active imagination.
Also, it served as a bridge.
Before 2009, Levi was mostly "the guy from Less Than Perfect" or "the guy from Chuck." After Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, he was a lead in a massive theatrical success. A year later, he was the voice of Flynn Rider. You can see the trajectory. The physical comedy he honed while being bullied by a CGI Alvin definitely fed into the charisma he needed for Disney and eventually Warner Bros.
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The "Squeakquel" legacy in 2026
Looking back at it now, the movie is a time capsule of late-2000s pop culture. You’ve got a Wii Remote causing chaos. You’ve got covers of "Single Ladies" and "Hot N Cold." And right in the center of it is the future Shazam, wearing a hoodie and looking slightly overwhelmed.
It’s worth noting that Levi didn’t return for the later sequels, Chipwrecked or The Road Chip. Jason Lee came back to the forefront, and the character of Toby was largely phased out. But for one shining moment in 2009, Zachary Levi was the primary human caretaker of the world’s most famous musical rodents.
Actionable insights for fans and collectors
- Re-watch for the Physicality: If you're a fan of Shazam!, watch the Squeakquel specifically for Levi's physical gags. You’ll see the early versions of his "big kid" acting style.
- The Bonus Features: If you can find the old "Squeak-Along" DVD, there are segments where Levi is labeled an "Alvin Super Fan." It’s a weird bit of meta-marketing that didn't really make it into the final film but is fun for trivia buffs.
- Soundtrack Deep Dive: Levi doesn’t do much singing in this one—that was reserved for the Chipmunks and Chipettes—but if you want to hear his actual pipes, skip straight to the Tangled soundtrack or his Broadway performance in She Loves Me.
Whether you view it as a paycheck gig or a cult classic of family cinema, the connection between Alvin and the Chipmunks and Zachary Levi is a reminder that every big star has a "random family movie" phase. Levi’s just happened to involve a lot of high-pitched harmony and a Dutch oven joke with Theodore.
If you're revisiting the franchise, start with the Squeakquel to see a pre-superhero Levi navigate the chaos of school bullies and pop-star squirrels. It's a low-stakes, high-energy performance that honestly holds up better than you’d expect for a movie called a "Squeakquel."