Ever watch a sequel and feel like something is just... different? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but a character sounds a bit more gravelly, or the cadence of their speech has shifted. If you felt that way watching the transition from the original The Incredibles to its 2018 sequel, you aren't imagining things. Rick Dicker, the weary, sharp-suited head of the Super Relocation Program, was actually played by two different legends of the industry.
In the first film, the voice behind the desk was Bud Luckey. By the time the sequel rolled around fourteen years later, the role was taken over by Jonathan Banks.
It’s one of those rare casting changes that actually makes a weird amount of sense. Both men have these incredible "noir" voices—the kind of voices that sound like they’ve seen too many rainy nights and filed way too much paperwork. But the story of why the change happened is a bit bittersweet.
The Original Agent: Bud Luckey
Bud Luckey wasn't just a voice actor. Honestly, he was a titan at Pixar that most casual fans have never heard of. He was actually the fifth animator hired at the studio. Think about that for a second. Before Toy Story was even a thing, Bud was there. In fact, he’s the guy who designed Woody. Originally, Woody was supposed to be a ventriloquist's dummy (kinda creepy, right?), but Bud suggested making him a pull-string cowboy.
When Brad Bird was casting The Incredibles, he tapped Bud to play Rick Dicker. Bud brought this dry, "I've seen it all" Montana energy to the character. He wasn't a professional "voice guy" in the traditional sense; he was an artist who just happened to have the perfect voice for a government G-man.
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He even wrote, directed, and sang the lead for the Pixar short Boundin', which played right before The Incredibles in theaters. If you remember the dancing sheep and the jackalope, that was all Bud.
Why Jonathan Banks Took the Reins
By the time Pixar got around to making Incredibles 2, things had changed. Bud Luckey had officially retired from feature film work around 2014. Sadly, he passed away in February 2018, just a few months before the sequel hit theaters. He was 83 years old.
The production needed someone who could capture that same "no-nonsense" authority but bring their own weight to the role. Enter Jonathan Banks.
Most of us know Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He has that world-weary, sandpaper-on-velvet voice that fits a secret agent perfectly. Interestingly, Banks was actually cast alongside his Better Call Saul co-star Bob Odenkirk (who played Winston Deavor), making the sequel a bit of a mini-reunion for AMC fans.
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A Tale of Two Dickers
If you listen to them side-by-side, the difference is subtle but there.
- Bud Luckey’s Dicker: Had a slightly more "classic Hollywood" government feel. He sounded like a guy who worked for the NSA in the 1950s.
- Jonathan Banks’ Dicker: Is a bit more menacing, or maybe just more exhausted. It’s a performance that leans into the grit.
Pixar didn't try to hide the change, though. They actually dedicated Incredibles 2 to Bud Luckey’s memory. It was a class act for a guy who basically helped build the studio from the ground up.
What Most People Miss
People often forget that Rick Dicker didn't just appear in the two main movies. He’s all over the lore. If you haven't seen the short film Jack-Jack Attack, go watch it. It’s basically one long interrogation scene where Dicker is trying to get the truth out of Kari the babysitter. That was Bud Luckey's final major performance as the character before his retirement.
There was also a brief moment where people wondered if the character would be cut entirely because he was so tied to Bud's persona. But Dicker is the glue of the Parr family's civilian life. Without him, they don't have a house, they don't have identities, and they certainly don't have a way to erase the memory of Tony Rydinger (which, let's be honest, Dicker felt pretty bad about doing).
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Where to Hear Them Now
If you’re looking to go down a rabbit hole of these two actors’ work, here is the short list:
- For Bud Luckey: Watch Boundin'. It’s five minutes of pure joy. Then go back and watch the original Toy Story and realize he’s the reason Woody looks like a cowboy.
- For Jonathan Banks: Aside from the obvious Breaking Bad route, he’s done a ton of voice work lately. He’s in Skylanders Academy and F is for Family.
It's rare that a recast feels this seamless. Usually, when a voice changes, it's jarring. But because Banks and Luckey share that same "old soul" vocal quality, the transition felt less like a replacement and more like a passing of the torch.
If you’re curious about more Pixar history, take a look at the "Who is Bud Luckey?" featurette on the original Incredibles DVD or Disney+. It shows him drawing at his desk, and you can see exactly where Rick Dicker’s tired-but-kind eyes came from. It's a great look at the man who gave the Parr family their second chance.
Next time you're watching the sequel, look for the dedication in the credits. It's a small nod to the man who made the "Super Relocation Program" feel real.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check the Credits: Watch the end of Incredibles 2 to see the tribute to Bud Luckey.
- Voice Comparison: Play the interrogation scene from the first movie and the opening scene of the second movie back-to-back to hear the subtle shift in gravel.
- Explore the Shorts: Look up Jack-Jack Attack on Disney+ for the best concentrated dose of Rick Dicker dialogue.