You ever sit through an animated movie and spend half the time squinting at the screen, trying to figure out why that pig sounds exactly like a Legally Blonde star? It’s a weirdly specific type of mental itch. Sing 2 didn't just lean into that; it basically turned the recording booth into a Hollywood red carpet.
The cast of Sing 2 isn't just a list of names. It’s a bizarrely curated group of rock legends, Oscar winners, and indie comedians that shouldn't work together on paper but somehow creates a masterpiece.
Honestly, when you look at the lineup, you realize Illumination wasn't just casting voices. They were casting "vibes." You’ve got Matthew McConaughey leading the pack as the eternal optimist Buster Moon, and then you have Bono playing a depressed, reclusive lion. It’s a lot to take in.
The Heavy Hitters: Who Returned for the Sequel
Most of the original crew came back. You can't really have the show without them.
Matthew McConaughey is back as Buster Moon. He brings that "alright, alright, alright" energy to a koala who is frankly one bad day away from a nervous breakdown. Buster is the heart of the movie, trying to convince a wolf mogul that his small-town troupe belongs in the big leagues.
Then there’s Reese Witherspoon. She voices Rosita, the overworked mama pig who finally gets her moment in the spotlight. Rosita’s journey in this one is actually kind of relatable—she’s dealing with a fear of heights while trying to balance being a superstar and a mom to twenty-five piglets.
Scarlett Johansson returns as Ash. She’s the punk-rock porcupine who, in my opinion, carries the emotional weight of the film. While everyone else is busy with flashy dance numbers, Ash is the one who has to track down a legend.
Here’s the rest of the returning core:
- Taron Egerton as Johnny: The gorilla with the golden pipes who has to learn how to dance from a street performer.
- Tori Kelly as Meena: The shy elephant who finally gets a romantic subplot (sort of).
- Nick Kroll as Gunter: The high-energy German pig who basically invents the entire plot of the space musical.
The New Faces (and Voices) You Probably Recognized
This is where the Sing 2 cast gets really interesting. They added some serious firepower for the sequel.
Bobby Cannavale plays the villain, Jimmy Crystal. He’s a white wolf who owns a massive entertainment empire in Redshore City. He’s terrifying. Cannavale brings this sharp, predatory edge to the role that makes you genuinely worried for Buster’s safety.
But the biggest buzz was obviously Bono.
He plays Clay Calloway, a legendary rock star lion who hasn’t been seen in fifteen years. Getting Bono for an animated movie was a massive flex. He doesn't just voice the character; he brings a certain gravelly, mourning quality to the dialogue that makes the whole "finding your voice again" theme actually land.
The Pop Stars in the Booth
Halsey joined the cast as Porsha Crystal. She’s Jimmy’s spoiled but talented daughter. It was a smart casting choice because Halsey can actually hit those massive notes required for the "Could Have Been Me" sequence.
Then you have Pharrell Williams. He voices Alfonso, an elephant who sells ice cream. It’s a relatively small role, but he’s the catalyst for Meena’s growth.
Letitia Wright (yes, Shuri from Black Panther) voices Nooshy, the lynx who teaches Johnny how to move. Her energy is infectious. It’s a stark contrast to the rigid training Johnny gets from Klaus Kickenklober, voiced by Adam Buxton.
Why the Sing 2 Cast Actually Works
Most animated sequels just throw money at whatever actor is trending on TikTok. Sing 2 felt different.
👉 See also: The Real Meaning Behind Lyrics for Hold the Line and Why Toto Almost Threw Them Out
The casting of Eric André as Darius—the egocentric yak—is a stroke of genius. He’s hilarious. He spends the whole movie forgetting Meena’s name and being generally obsessed with himself. It’s exactly the kind of chaotic energy Eric André is known for, but channeled into a yak in a velvet suit.
The movie also utilizes Chelsea Peretti as Suki, the talent scout who initially tells Buster he’s not good enough. Peretti’s dry, unimpressed delivery is the perfect foil to Buster’s relentless enthusiasm.
Behind the Scenes: The Director’s Cameos
You might not know this, but the director, Garth Jennings, does more than just steer the ship. He’s the voice of Miss Crawly.
The elderly iguana with the glass eye? That’s the director.
Jennings also brought in some of his famous friends for tiny cameos. Wes Anderson, Edgar Wright, and Spike Jonze all have uncredited or minor voice roles in the film. It’s like a secret club of legendary directors hiding in a kids' movie about singing animals.
The Music Factor
We can't talk about the cast without talking about the singing. Unlike some animated movies where they hire an actor for the dialogue and a singer for the songs, these actors did their own vocals.
Taron Egerton’s version of "A Sky Full of Stars" is legitimately great.
Scarlett Johansson singing U2 songs alongside Bono? It shouldn't work, but it does.
The cast had to record a lot of their lines during the pandemic, often in makeshift home studios. It adds a weird layer of authenticity to the performances—everyone sounds like they’re just happy to be making something fun.
Final Thoughts on the Ensemble
The cast of Sing 2 succeeded because it didn't just rely on star power; it relied on character fit. Whether it's Nick Offerman returning briefly as Rosita’s husband Norman or Jennifer Saunders as the regal Nana Noodleman, every voice feels intentional.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Sing 2, the best way to appreciate the cast is to actually listen for the nuances in the vocal performances. Pay attention to Clay Calloway’s speaking voice versus his singing voice. Notice the frantic energy in Buster Moon’s pitch meetings.
💡 You might also like: Why Skate Bruno Mars Lyrics Still Feel Like a 1970s Summer Dream
To get the most out of your next rewatch, try to identify the specific vocal tics each actor brought from their live-action work. You'll find that the movie is a lot more layered than it appears on the surface.