You know that feeling when you start a movie and immediately realize you’re in good hands because of who’s on screen? It’s not just about star power. Honestly, the cast of Absolutely Anything is a weirdly perfect example of how a specific group of people can turn a somewhat chaotic premise into something that actually sticks in your brain. Released in 2015, this British sci-fi comedy had a lot riding on it. It was Terry Jones’s final directorial effort. It was a Monty Python reunion of sorts. And it featured Robin Williams in his final film role.
That’s a heavy legacy for a movie about a guy who gets the power to do literally anything.
People usually show up for Simon Pegg. He’s the anchor. But when you look at the wider ensemble, it’s a bizarre cocktail of legendary comedians, reliable character actors, and the voices of comedy royalty. It shouldn't work as well as it does. Most modern comedies feel like they're just checking boxes, but this group felt like they were genuinely having a laugh together.
The Simon Pegg Factor
Simon Pegg plays Neil Clarke. Neil is a disillusioned teacher who suddenly finds himself with the powers of a god. Pegg is great at this. He has this specific "everyman" quality that makes you root for him even when he’s being an absolute idiot. Remember Shaun of the Dead? It’s that same energy. He’s relatable.
In Absolutely Anything, Pegg has to carry the physical comedy. He’s the one talking to his dog and accidentally making things happen that he didn't intend. It requires a lot of "reacting to nothing," which is harder than it looks. Without a strong lead, the whole "god-like powers" trope falls flat. Pegg keeps it grounded. He’s the straight man to the universe's insanity.
The Voices You Definitely Recognize
This is where things get interesting. The cast of Absolutely Anything includes the Intergalactic Council—a group of aliens who decide the fate of Earth.
They’re voiced by the surviving members of Monty Python.
- John Cleese
- Terry Gilliam
- Eric Idle
- Terry Jones
- Michael Palin
It’s iconic. There’s no other word for it. Hearing those voices together one last time is a massive nostalgia trip. They play these bureaucratic, slightly sociopathic aliens who are judging humanity based on Neil’s actions. Their banter is classic Python. It’s dry, cynical, and fast-paced. If you grew up watching Flying Circus, these voices are like comfort food.
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Then there’s Dennis the Dog.
Robin Williams voiced Dennis. It’s bittersweet to watch now. Williams was a master of improvisation, and you can hear glimpses of that "Genie" energy in Dennis’s lines. He’s a dog who suddenly gains the ability to speak and think, and his primary concerns are biscuits and humping legs. Williams gives the dog a soul. He’s not just a CGI character; he’s the emotional core of the movie.
Kate Beckinsale and the Supporting Players
Kate Beckinsale plays Catherine, Neil’s love interest. Often, in these types of movies, the female lead is just "there" to be the prize. Beckinsale does more with it. She’s charming and has good chemistry with Pegg. She’s basically the only person in the movie who seems to have her life (mostly) together, which makes the contrast with Neil’s chaos even funnier.
Then you’ve got Sanjeev Bhaskar as Ray. He’s Neil’s best friend. Their friendship feels real. It doesn’t feel like "Movie Friendship #4." They have that shorthand that only long-term friends have.
Rob Riggle is in there too, playing a sort of antagonist role as Grant. Riggle is great at playing the aggressive, slightly unhinged American guy. He provides a nice foil to Pegg’s more understated British humor.
Eddie Izzard also pops up as the Headmaster. Izzard is a comedic genius in her own right, and seeing her in a more "buttoned-up" (though still ridiculous) role is a treat. It adds another layer of pedigree to the whole production.
Why This Specific Ensemble Works
A lot of people criticize the movie for being a bit "low-brow" or having a predictable plot. Fair enough. But they're missing the point. The cast of Absolutely Anything is the reason to watch it. You don't watch a Terry Jones movie for a tight, high-concept plot. You watch it for the performances and the absurdity.
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Think about the dynamic between the Pythons. They’ve been working together for decades. That kind of timing can't be taught. When they riff off each other as aliens, it feels effortless.
The Final Performance of Robin Williams
It’s impossible to talk about this cast without acknowledging the weight of Robin Williams’s involvement. He recorded his lines before his passing in 2014. There’s a scene where Dennis the Dog tries to explain his simple worldview to Neil, and Williams delivers it with such earnestness. It’s funny, sure. But it’s also a reminder of why he was so beloved. He could find the humanity in a talking dog.
The Legacy of Terry Jones
Terry Jones didn't just direct; he co-wrote the script and voiced an alien. This was his project. He’d been working on the idea for years. The cast he assembled was a testament to his standing in the industry. People wanted to work with him. They wanted to be part of his final vision.
The movie feels like a "passing of the torch" in some ways. You have the legends (Python, Williams) alongside the "newer" guard (Pegg, Beckinsale, Riggle). It bridges two eras of comedy.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Movie
People often compare Absolutely Anything to Bruce Almighty. I get why. Guy gets powers, guy messes up, guy learns a lesson.
But the tone is completely different.
Bruce Almighty is very American, very moralistic. Absolutely Anything is deeply British. It’s cynical. It’s messy. The aliens aren't benevolent gods; they’re bored bureaucrats. The cast reflects this. They don't play the roles with a "moral of the story" twinkle in their eye. They play them as real people (or aliens) caught in a ridiculous situation.
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Taking a Closer Look at the Minor Characters
Even the smaller roles are filled with familiar faces. Joanna Lumley shows up. Meera Syal is there. These are giants of British television and film. It’s a "who’s who" of talent.
When you have someone like Joanna Lumley in a small role, you know the production has weight. It creates a rich world where everyone feels like they have a backstory, even if we only see them for five minutes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Film Buffs
If you’re planning on watching or re-watching Absolutely Anything, do these three things to get the most out of it:
- Listen closely to the dog. Robin Williams did multiple takes for almost every line, trying different voices and jokes. The final cut uses the best bits, and his delivery is incredibly nuanced if you really pay attention.
- Watch the Python scenes as a standalone piece. If you’re a Monty Python fan, treat the alien scenes like a lost sketch. Their chemistry is the highlight of the film’s structure.
- Notice the physical comedy of Simon Pegg. Pay attention to how he uses his hands and body when he’s "casting" spells. It’s very deliberate and pays homage to classic silent film stars.
Final Thoughts on the Ensemble
The cast of Absolutely Anything is ultimately what saves the film from being "just another comedy." It’s a collection of legends giving us one last hurrah. It’s Pegg at his most charming. It’s Beckinsale being more than just a love interest. And it’s a beautiful, funny farewell to Robin Williams and Terry Jones.
When you look at the credits, it’s not just a list of names. It’s a map of comedy history. That’s why it matters. That’s why people still talk about it.
To dive deeper into this specific era of British comedy, your best bet is to look up the "making of" featurettes. They show the Pythons in the recording booth together, and the energy is infectious. It’s a rare glimpse into a creative partnership that changed comedy forever. You might also want to check out Terry Jones’s other directorial works, like Erik the Viking or The Wind in the Willows, to see how his style evolved over the years.
Watching the film through the lens of its cast changes the experience entirely. It becomes less about "what happens" and more about "who is making it happen." And in this case, the "who" is pretty spectacular.