Honestly, if you haven't seen the 2016 Illumination hit Sing lately, you're missing out on one of the most bizarrely stacked voice casts in animation history. It wasn't just another "talking animal" movie. It was a massive, neon-soaked jukebox musical that somehow managed to convince an Oscar-winning actress, a Kingsman, and a Family Guy creator to belt out pop hits together.
The cast of Sing is exactly why the movie works.
Think about it. Without the specific vocal textures of Matthew McConaughey or the raw, surprising power of Taron Egerton, this would have just been a movie about a koala trying to avoid bankruptcy. Instead, it became a cultural touchstone that basically paved the way for a sequel and a whole lot of karaoke nights. People always forget how high-stakes some of these performances were. We're talking about actors who aren't primarily singers putting their reputations on the line.
The Koala in the Room: Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon
Buster Moon is the glue. He's a dreamer, a bit of a con artist, but mostly just a guy who loves the theater. Matthew McConaughey plays him with this frantic, high-pitched optimism that feels miles away from his "alright, alright, alright" persona. It’s funny because Buster doesn't actually sing much. He’s the promoter. The hype man.
McConaughey reportedly took the role because he wanted to make something his kids could actually watch. Most of his filmography isn't exactly "family-friendly." Watching a koala desperately wash cars with his own body to save a crumbling theater is peak McConaughey commitment. He brings a specific rhythm to the dialogue—lots of pauses, quick bursts of energy—that makes Buster feel alive rather than just a drawing.
Scarlett Johansson and the Punk Rock Porcupine
A lot of people were shocked by Ash. Scarlett Johansson plays this teenage porcupine who is stuck in a bad relationship with a mediocre musician named Lance. What’s cool here is that Johansson actually has a real-world music career (check out her Tom Waits cover album if you haven't).
She didn't just show up to read lines. She brought a raspy, authentic grit to "Set It All Free." In the world of the cast of Sing, her character represents the shift from being a "backup" to finding a solo voice. It’s arguably the most "human" arc in the movie, despite her being a rodent with quills.
Why Taron Egerton Stole the Show
If we’re being real, Taron Egerton’s Johnny is the heart of the film.
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Johnny is a mountain gorilla who doesn't want to be a getaway driver for his dad’s gang. He wants to play the piano and sing Sam Smith songs. This was years before Egerton played Elton John in Rocketman, but you can hear the potential right there. When he hits those notes in "Stay With Me," it isn't "studio magic." That’s actually him.
The contrast between his massive, intimidating physical design and that soulful, delicate voice is one of the best creative choices the directors made. It breaks the stereotype of the "tough guy" in a way that feels earned.
Reese Witherspoon and the Reality of Being a Mom
Rosita is a pig. She’s also a mother to 25 piglets. Reese Witherspoon voices her with this sort of exhausted but hopeful domesticity that anyone who’s ever been overwhelmed can relate to.
The dynamic between her and Gunter (voiced by Nick Kroll) is pure comedy gold. Kroll uses this thick, unidentifiable European accent that provides the perfect foil to Witherspoon’s more grounded, "soccer mom" energy. When they perform "Shake It Off," it’s high-energy, but the emotional payoff is seeing Rosita regain her identity outside of just being a parent.
The Powerhouse: Tori Kelly as Meena
While most of the cast of Sing are actors who can sing, Tori Kelly is a singer who had to learn to act.
Meena is a shy elephant with crippling stage fright. It’s a bit ironic considering Tori Kelly has one of the most powerful voices in the industry. But she nails the "quiet" moments. When she finally breaks out and sings "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" at the end of the movie, the scale of her voice literally knocks down the remains of the theater. It's a "goosebumps" moment that only works because the casting department went with a professional vocalist for that specific role.
Seth MacFarlane and the Old School Crooner
We have to talk about Mike. The mouse.
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Seth MacFarlane is basically a reincarnated Rat Pack member. We know this from Family Guy musical numbers, but in Sing, he leans into the arrogance and talent of a Frank Sinatra-style crooner. Mike is a jerk. He’s greedy, he’s mean to the others, and he gambles with money he doesn't have.
But then he sings "My Way."
And you kind of forgive him? MacFarlane’s technical ability as a singer is top-tier. He provides the "old school" musical theater weight that balances out all the modern pop tracks. It’s a necessary ingredient. Without Mike, the soundtrack would feel a bit too "now" and lose that timeless quality.
The Supporting Players You Might Have Missed
The depth of this cast goes way beyond the main six performers.
- John C. Reilly plays Eddie, the sheep who is Buster’s wealthy, somewhat lazy best friend.
- Jennifer Saunders is Nana Noodleman, the legendary diva who owns the theater’s fate.
- Nick Offerman plays Norman, Rosita’s oblivious husband.
- Beck Bennett plays Lance, Ash’s jerk boyfriend.
It’s a "blink and you'll miss it" situation with some of these voices. Even the legendary director Wes Anderson has a small cameo as a scavenger.
Why the Casting Matters for SEO and Discovery
When people search for the cast of Sing, they aren't just looking for a list. They want to know if that was really the actor singing. (Yes, for the most part, it was). They want to know how the movie managed to get such big names.
The answer is usually "Garth Jennings." The director has a history in music videos (Radiohead, R.E.M.), and he knows how to talk to artists. He didn't want the voices to sound "processed." He wanted the imperfections. That’s why Johnny sounds a bit breathless during his piano rehearsals and why Ash’s voice cracks a little when she’s emotional.
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Common Misconceptions About the Cast
Some people think the singing was dubbed by professional session singers. This is a common trope in Hollywood, but Illumination went the extra mile here. Taron Egerton, Scarlett Johansson, Seth MacFarlane, and Reese Witherspoon all did their own vocals.
Another big one: "Is Jennifer Hudson in the first movie?" No. She joins the franchise later. The powerhouse vocals in the first one are primarily Tori Kelly.
Looking Back: The Legacy of the 2016 Lineup
Looking at the cast of Sing nearly a decade later, it’s impressive how many of these actors went on to do massive musical projects. Egerton became Elton John. Scarlett Johansson continued her run as one of the highest-paid actresses in the world. Tori Kelly won Grammys.
The movie proved that you could take a simple American Idol-style premise and make it resonate if the "instruments" (the actors) were tuned correctly. It wasn't just a paycheck for these people; you can hear the joy in the recordings.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Sing, your best bet is to check out the "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack." It includes full versions of the songs that get cut short in the film. Specifically, listen to the contrast between the "audition" versions of the songs and the "finale" versions. It shows the incredible range the cast had to display to show character growth through music.
Also, keep an eye out for the "Mini-Movies" included on the Blu-ray releases. They feature a lot of the supporting cast in smaller, character-driven shorts that didn't make the theatrical cut. It’s a great way to see more of Gunter’s chaotic energy or Eddie’s domestic life.
The next time you're scrolling through a streaming service and see that little koala in a suit, remember the sheer amount of talent behind those pixels. It's a rare case where the celebrity voices actually added to the story rather than distracting from it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the "Making of" Featurettes: Specifically look for the recording booth footage of Taron Egerton. Seeing the physical effort he puts into the vocals changes how you view Johnny's scenes.
- Compare the Soundtrack: Listen to Seth MacFarlane’s "My Way" alongside the original Sinatra version. It’s a masterclass in vocal mimicry and respect for the source material.
- Check Out the Sequel: If you enjoyed this lineup, Sing 2 adds Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, and Pharrell Williams to the mix, expanding the vocal palette even further.