You’ve probably seen the little brown dogs with the massive ears and the even bigger personalities. It’s been years since Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 hit the shelves in 2011, and honestly, if you look back at the credits now, it’s kinda shocking how many "wait, I know them!" faces (and voices) are packed into eighty-odd minutes of talking-dog mayhem.
Most people think these direct-to-video sequels are just cheap knock-offs. Not this one. While it didn't get the big theatrical push of the first film, the cast of Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 is a weirdly impressive mix of Disney Channel royalty, sitcom legends, and serious character actors who clearly decided to just have a blast with the material.
The Voice Over Swap: Chloe and Delgado's New Sounds
The biggest misconception about the sequel is that the original stars came back. They didn’t. Well, most of them didn't. Drew Barrymore was out as the voice of Chloe, the pampered white Chihuahua. Replacing her was Odette Annable (credited then as Odette Yustman). You might recognize her from Cloverfield or later on in Supergirl. She brought a slightly different energy to Chloe—still posh, but a bit more "exhausted mom" now that she’s dealing with a litter of five wild puppies.
Then there’s Delgado. In the first movie, he was voiced by the legendary Andy García. For the sequel, the production brought in Miguel Ferrer. If that name sounds familiar, it's because Ferrer was a powerhouse in RoboCop and Twin Peaks. His deep, gravelly tone gave Delgado that perfect "retired police dog with a dark past" vibe. Sadly, Ferrer passed away in 2017, making this one of his more lighthearted legacy roles.
George Lopez, however, stayed put. He’s basically the soul of this franchise. His Papi is loud, loyal, and constantly trying to teach his "warrior" kids about their heritage. Lopez’s comedic timing is what keeps the movie from feeling too much like a standard Saturday morning cartoon.
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The Human Cast: Familiar Faces Everywhere
The human side of the story is where things get really interesting for TV buffs. Marcus Coloma took over the role of Sam Cortez. Long before he was a staple on General Hospital, he was the guy trying to save his parents' home from foreclosure with the help of a pack of dogs.
His co-star, Erin Cahill, played Rachel Ashe. Power Rangers fans will immediately spot her as Jen Scotts, the Pink Time Force Ranger. She replaced Piper Perabo in this installment, and she’s got that perfect "Disney-adjacent" warmth that makes the whole Sam-and-Rachel subplot actually watchable.
But check out the supporting players:
- Susan Blakely as Aunt Viv (taking over for Jamie Lee Curtis).
- Lupe Ontiveros as Mrs. Cortez. This was actually one of her final roles before she passed away in 2012. She was a titan of Latina representation in Hollywood.
- Phill Lewis as Judge McKibble. Yes, Mr. Moseby from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. He’s basically doing a variation of his high-strung hotel manager persona here, and it works.
- French Stewart and Morgan Fairchild as the dog show commentators. Stewart brings that weird, jittery energy he’s famous for from 3rd Rock from the Sun.
The Puppies: A Disney Star Origins Story
If you look at the voices of the five puppies—Papi Jr., Lala, Rosa, Ali, and Pep—it’s like a "Who’s Who" of 2010s teen television.
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Zachary Gordon, who was the literal face of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies, voiced Papi Jr. Then you have Madison Pettis as Lala; she was the kid from The Game Plan and Cory in the House. Emily Osment, Miley Cyrus’s best friend from Hannah Montana, voiced Pep.
It’s easy to forget that these kids were the A-list of the tween world at the time. Having them all in one recording booth (or at least in one production) was a smart move by Disney to ensure the DVD would sell to the target demographic. Bridgit Mendler even popped up as the voice of Appoline, the rival French Poodle, and sang the movie’s lead single, "This Is My Paradise."
Why the Cast Shift Actually Worked
Direct-to-DVD sequels usually fail because they feel "lesser than." But because Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 leaned so hard into the comedy and the "family" theme, the new cast didn't feel like a downgrade. They felt like a reboot.
Marcus Coloma and Erin Cahill had genuine chemistry, which isn't easy when half your "co-stars" are real dogs whose mouths are being moved by CGI in post-production. The movie also shifted the setting. We went from the high-stakes survival of the Mexican jungle in the first film to a suburban "save the house" plot. It’s smaller, sure, but the cast made it feel personal.
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Real Talk on the Production
The film was directed by Alex Zamm, a guy who has practically mastered the "talking animal" genre. He’s the one who gave us Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts and the Woody Woodpecker movie. He knows how to work with animal trainers to get those specific head tilts and paw swipes that make the "acting" believable for kids.
The voice recording sessions were likely handled separately, which is standard for animation. However, the human actors had to deal with the chaos of five actual Chihuahuas on set. If you’ve ever owned one, you know they aren't exactly known for their "quiet on set" temperament.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning a rewatch or introducing this to your kids, keep an ear out for Ernie Hudson (the original Ghostbuster!) as Pedro. His voice is unmistakable.
- Watch for the cameos: Look for Brian Stepanek (another Suite Life alum) as the bank manager.
- Check the credits: See if you can spot the difference in the CGI mouth-work between the 2008 original and this 2011 sequel—it actually improved quite a bit despite the lower budget.
- Spot the "last roles": Pay attention to Lupe Ontiveros’ scenes; she brings a lot of heart to what could have been a very flat "mom" character.
The cast of Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 proved that you don't need A-list movie stars to make a movie that resonates with its audience. Sometimes, a handful of Disney vets and some very talented dogs are more than enough to get the job done.