Honestly, if you go back and look at the cast of The Nut Job, it’s kind of wild how many heavy hitters they managed to pack into a movie about a purple squirrel named Surly. It wasn't just a random assortment of voice actors. We’re talking about Emmy winners, Oscar nominees, and comedic legends who, for some reason, all decided to spend a few months talking into microphones about a heist involving peanuts and cashews.
Most people remember the 2014 film as a mid-tier animated flick that did surprisingly well at the box office, but the vocal performances are what actually give it some staying power. It’s got that weird, frantic energy of a 1950s caper movie, just with rodents.
Will Arnett as Surly: The Grumpy Heart of the Cast of The Nut Job
Will Arnett was basically born to play a sarcastic, self-serving loner. Whether it’s Arrested Development or BoJack Horseman, his voice has this gravelly, cynical edge that works perfectly for Surly.
In The Nut Job, Surly isn't your typical "happy-go-lucky" animated protagonist. He’s kind of a jerk. He’s an outcast from Liberty Park who accidentally destroys the community’s winter food supply and gets banished to the city. Arnett plays him with a mixture of desperation and ego. It’s a performance that mirrors his work as LEGO Batman—confident on the outside, but deeply insecure and lonely.
What’s interesting about Arnett’s role here is how he bounces off Liam Neeson. Usually, you don’t see those two in the same project, but the dynamic between the scrappy squirrel and Neeson’s authoritative Raccoon is one of the film’s stronger points. Arnett brings a fast-talking, street-smart vibe that keeps the pacing from dragging.
Liam Neeson and the Intimidation Factor
Speaking of Liam Neeson, his presence in the cast of The Nut Job is one of those things that sounds like a fever dream until you hear him speak. He plays Raccoon, the self-appointed leader of the park animals.
Raccoon is a classic "wolf in sheep’s clothing" character. Neeson uses that Taken-era gravitas to make a small woodland animal feel genuinely threatening. It’s a testament to his range; he doesn't phone it in just because it’s a kids’ movie. He treats Raccoon like a Shakespearean villain or a mob boss.
There’s this underlying tension in his voice. You can tell Raccoon is manipulating everyone for his own gain, and Neeson captures that subtle shift from "wise protector" to "tyrannical ruler" brilliantly. It’s actually one of the darker elements of the movie. Raccoon doesn’t want the animals to be independent; he wants them dependent on him. Neeson makes that power dynamic feel real.
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Katherine Heigl as Andie: The Moral Compass
Katherine Heigl plays Andie, a compassionate and hardworking red squirrel who is basically the only one willing to give Surly a second chance.
At the time of the film's release, Heigl was still a massive name in rom-coms and TV drama. Her role here is a bit more grounded. Andie is the bridge between the park animals and Surly’s chaotic world. She provides the emotional weight. While Arnett is cracking jokes and Neeson is being menacing, Heigl has to play the straight man.
It’s a tough gig. If Andie is too preachy, the audience hates her. Heigl manages to make her feel like a genuine leader who is just trying to make sure her friends don't starve to death. Her chemistry (or lack thereof, initially) with Surly drives the character growth in the story.
Brendan Fraser as Grayson: The Hero Everyone Thinks They Want
Brendan Fraser is a national treasure, and his performance as Grayson is proof. Grayson is the "hero" of the park—a grey squirrel who is incredibly handsome, incredibly brave, and incredibly dim-witted.
Fraser plays the "lovable oaf" trope to perfection. This was before the "Brenaissance" we saw with The Whale, back when he was doing more comedic and family-oriented voice work. He gives Grayson this booming, theatrical voice that suggests he thinks he’s in a much more epic movie than he actually is.
He’s the foil to Surly. Where Surly is smart but selfish, Grayson is brave but useless. Most of the physical comedy in the film comes from Grayson’s overconfidence leading him into disastrous situations. It’s a great example of Fraser’s comedic timing, even when you can’t see his face.
The Supporting Cast of The Nut Job: Comedy Veterans
The "bench" for this movie was deep. If you look at the secondary characters, it’s a who’s who of 2010s comedy.
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Maya Rudolph voices Precious, a pug belonging to the human bank robbers. Rudolph is a chameleon. She makes Precious simultaneously gross, adorable, and hilarious. The scenes where Surly tries to handle the dog are some of the most memorable bits of slapstick in the film.
Then you have Jeff Dunham as Mole. Dunham, known for his ventriloquism, brings a frantic, nervous energy to the character. Mole is Raccoon’s right-hand man, constantly stressed and physically sensitive to light. It’s a small role, but Dunham makes him feel distinct.
Gabriel Iglesias voices Jimmy, the leader of the "Bruisers" (a gang of groundhogs). "Fluffy" brings his usual high-energy vocal acrobatics to the role. It’s basically exactly what you’d expect from him—fast-paced delivery and a lot of personality.
The Human Elements
The movie actually has a dual-plot structure. While the animals are trying to rob a nut shop, a group of human criminals is trying to rob the bank next door.
- Stephen Lang plays Percy "King" Sullivan, the leader of the humans.
- Scott Yaphe plays Lucky.
- James Rankin plays Fingers.
The humans are mostly there to provide obstacles and mirrors to the animal characters. The "King" is basically the human version of Raccoon—a leader who doesn't care who he steps on to get the prize. It’s a bit on the nose, but it works for a 90-minute animated heist.
Why the Casting Choices Mattered for Open Road Films
When The Nut Job came out, it was an independent production by ToonBox Entertainment and Redrover, distributed by Open Road Films. It didn't have the massive Disney or DreamWorks marketing machine behind it.
The star-studded cast of The Nut Job was a strategic move. By landing Will Arnett, Liam Neeson, and Katherine Heigl, the producers gave the movie instant credibility. It allowed the film to compete in a crowded market. It actually broke records at the time for the highest-grossing independent animated film opening.
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That success wasn't just about the animation—which was decent but not Pixar-level—it was about the recognizable voices that parents knew and trusted. It made the movie feel "big."
Common Misconceptions About the Voice Work
One thing people often get wrong is thinking that the "Gangnam Style" ending was a late addition. In reality, Psy’s massive hit was a huge part of the marketing because the production had South Korean roots (ToonBox is based in Canada but worked closely with Korean partners).
The cast actually had to record bits that integrated with that vibe. While some critics thought it was a bit dated even in 2014, it became a signature part of the movie's identity.
Another misconception? That the actors were all in the room together. Like most animated films, the cast of The Nut Job recorded their lines mostly in isolation. Will Arnett has mentioned in interviews that voice acting is a lonely business, but the editors did a great job of making the banter feel snappy and reactive.
The Legacy of the Performances
The movie was successful enough to spawn a sequel, The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, which brought back most of the original cast but added Jackie Chan into the mix.
The original remains the blueprint. It showed that you could take a simple premise—animals stealing nuts—and elevate it with a cast that treats the material with a bit of respect and a lot of humor. It’s not a deep philosophical exploration of nature, but because of the actors involved, the characters have more "soul" than they probably should on paper.
Actionable Steps for Exploring the Cast Further
If you’re a fan of these actors and want to see how their voice work in this film compares to their broader careers, here is how you can dive deeper:
- Listen to Will Arnett in BoJack Horseman: Contrast his performance as Surly with BoJack. You’ll hear the same "damaged loner" DNA but taken to a much darker, adult level.
- Watch the Sequel: Compare how the characters evolve in The Nut Job 2. The addition of Jackie Chan changes the dynamic of the group significantly.
- Check out the "Making Of" clips: Look for behind-the-scenes footage of Liam Neeson in the recording booth. Seeing a man of his stature voicing a raccoon is genuinely entertaining.
- Follow the Animation Studio: ToonBox Entertainment has a unique style. Checking out their other projects like Spark: A Space Tail shows how they utilize celebrity voices to anchor their stories.
The cast of The Nut Job is a prime example of how the right voices can turn a standard heist story into something that sticks in the cultural memory, even a decade later. It’s a weird, nutty collection of talent that somehow works.