Honestly, if you told me back in 2017 that a movie about a principal running around in his drawers would be one of the best things Kevin Hart has ever done, I’d have probably laughed you out of the room. It sounds like a reach. But here we are, years later, and Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie still hits.
Most people think of Kevin Hart and immediately picture the high-energy, fast-talking guy from Ride Along or those massive stand-up specials. But his turn as George Beard was different. It wasn't just "Kevin Hart as a cartoon." He actually had to do the work to sound like a fourth-grader without it being annoying.
The Voice Search: Finding George Beard
You’ve gotta realize that Hart doesn’t exactly have a deep, booming voice to begin with. But he’s still a grown man. When he sat down to voice George, the creative leader of the duo, he couldn't just use his normal tone.
In interviews around the release, Hart admitted he had to play with "levels." He spent time in the booth rehearsing lines like "What? Harold, no!" until he found a register that felt authentic to a kid. It wasn’t a caricature. It was a version of himself that felt... younger. Energetic, sure, but with that specific pitch of a ten-year-old who just drank too much juice and is about to pull the world's greatest prank.
He wasn't alone in that booth, either. He had Thomas Middleditch (playing Harold Hutchins) to bounce off of. Their chemistry is basically the spine of the whole movie. Even though they’re both adults, they captured that "us against the world" vibe that you only really feel in elementary school.
Why the Kevin Hart Captain Underpants Combo Actually Worked
A lot of big-budget animated movies just slap a celebrity's name on the poster to sell tickets. Sometimes it feels hollow. With Kevin Hart, it felt like he actually liked the material.
George Beard is the writer. He’s the one coming up with the stories. There’s a scene where he talks about how their comics make the world "the biggest best thing it ever possibly can be." That’s a very Kevin Hart sentiment. He’s a guy who built an empire on storytelling and energy, so playing a kid who uses his imagination to escape a boring school life isn't a stretch.
Breaking the "Celebrity Voice" Curse
- No Ego: Director David Soren mentioned that Hart was surprisingly open to feedback. He didn't just come in, read the lines, and leave.
- The Humor: The movie is full of potty humor. Let's be real—Kevin Hart’s career isn't built on Shakespeare. He knows how to make a "poop" joke land without it being too much.
- Physicality: Even though you don't see him, the animators at Mikros Image (who DreamWorks outsourced to) picked up on his facial expressions. If you watch George closely, you can see those classic Hart "shocked" looks.
What People Get Wrong About the Movie's Success
You might think a movie called Captain Underpants was just a quick cash grab. It wasn't. It was actually a bit of a gamble for DreamWorks. They made it on a $38 million budget, which is incredibly low for a major studio animation. For comparison, Boss Baby cost over $100 million.
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Because they had less money to play with, the movie relied more on the script and the performances. Hart’s performance had to carry half the emotional weight. When the boys are facing the threat of being put in separate classes, Hart actually sells the heartbreak. It’s a weirdly tender moment in a movie that also features a giant toilet robot.
The film ended up making over $125 million worldwide. That's a huge win when your budget is that slim. It proved that you don't need $200 million if you have a voice cast that actually cares about the characters.
The Legacy of the "Epic Movie"
So, why are we still talking about this? Because it’s one of the few times Kevin Hart was allowed to be a character instead of a "persona." In the Jumanji movies, he's great, but he's very much Kevin Hart. In Captain Underpants, he’s George.
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He’s the kid who writes the stories while Harold draws. He’s the "calm" one in tough situations—relative to Harold, anyway. It’s a grounded performance in the middle of a chaotic, colorful, "Weird Al" Yankovic-themed fever dream.
If you’re looking to revisit his work or show your kids why he’s more than just a guy in action-comedies, this is the spot. It’s a masterclass in how to do celebrity voice acting the right way: by actually acting.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're diving back into the world of George and Harold, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Watch the "Saturday" Sequence: There's a musical number featuring Hart and Middleditch. It's short, but it perfectly encapsulates their vocal chemistry.
- Compare the Voice: Listen to Hart in The Secret Life of Pets (Snowball) versus Captain Underpants. Snowball is high-octane madness; George is more nuanced and "kid-like."
- Look for the Visual Cues: Pay attention to George’s eyebrows and mouth movements. The animators clearly used Hart's stand-up mannerisms as a reference, making the character feel more "alive."
The movie didn't just spawn a bunch of sequels (though there is a Netflix show, it uses different voice actors). It stands alone as a really solid piece of Hart's filmography. It’s funny, it’s fast, and honestly? It’s got a lot of heart. Pun intended.
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To truly appreciate the performance, look for the behind-the-scenes footage of Hart in the recording booth. Seeing a grown man scream about "Professor Poopypants" with total sincerity tells you everything you need to know about why this movie works.