You probably remember the first time you saw him. A tall, rugged, Yodel-Troll with a thick Austrian accent and a heart of gold. Honestly, Trolls World Tour Hickory felt like the ultimate "nice guy" addition to a movie that was already bursting at the seams with neon colors and pop hits. He was the one who saved Poppy and Branch from the Country Trolls' jail. He was the one who gave them a raft. He was the cool-headed voice of reason when Poppy’s relentless optimism started hitting a brick wall.
But then, the reveal happened.
Hickory wasn't actually a Yodel-Troll. Well, he was, but he was actually a Bounty Hunter hired by Queen Barb of the Hard Rock Trolls. Even crazier? He was wearing a full-body costume. Beneath that tall, four-legged exterior was a small, scrap-metal-wearing Centaur Troll named Dickory hiding in the back legs. It’s one of those moments that makes you want to rewatch the whole film immediately just to see if the physics even make sense. (Spoiler: They kinda don't, but it's a Trolls movie, so we let it slide).
The Weird History of Trolls World Tour Hickory
When DreamWorks released Trolls World Tour in 2020, the world was stuck at home. It became one of the first major "straight to digital" successes, and Hickory was a huge part of why the story worked. He wasn't just a side character. He represented the moral gray area in a franchise that usually sticks to black-and-white emotions.
Voiced by the legendary Sam Elliott, Hickory brought a gravitas that the movie desperately needed. Elliott’s voice is iconic. It's like gravel mixed with velvet. When he tells Poppy, "You're not listening," you actually feel the weight of it. Most people assume Hickory was just a plot device to move the characters from Point A to Point B, but his arc is actually about the struggle between loyalty to your "kind" and doing what is actually right.
Think about it.
Hickory was sent to capture Poppy. That was his job. He and his brother, Dickory (voiced by German actor Maurice LaMarche), were promised their own land or safety if they handed over the Pop Queen. But Hickory spent enough time with Poppy to realize that Barb’s plan to destroy all music wasn't the answer either. He became a double agent, not for the Pop Trolls, but for the idea of harmony. It’s a surprisingly deep motivation for a movie about singing dolls.
The Design Flaw Everyone Missed
Let’s talk about the character design because it’s honestly wild. Hickory is introduced as a "Yodel-Troll." In the world of Trolls, the Yodelers are a sub-section of the Funk/Classical/Country landscape that was mostly wiped out or marginalized by Barb's world tour of destruction.
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His "disguise" is a masterpiece of character animation. If you look closely at the scenes before the reveal, Hickory’s movements are slightly stiff. His back legs—where Dickory is hiding—occasionally move with a different rhythm than his front ones. The animators at DreamWorks actually dropped hints! Most viewers just thought it was the "Country" swagger.
Why the Twist Worked
Most kids' movies have villains who are just mean for the sake of being mean. Barb was a "villain," sure, but Hickory was an antagonist who turned into a protagonist. That's a rare pivot in DreamWorks' younger-skewing films. He didn't just change his mind because Poppy sang a song; he changed his mind because he saw the consequences of his own betrayal.
Also, the reveal that he was actually two trolls in a suit? Pure comedy gold. It subverted the "lone ranger" trope that Sam Elliott usually plays. Suddenly, this badass cowboy-type is revealed to be a mechanical contraption powered by a grumpy brother in the back. It’s a literal deconstruction of the "tough guy" image.
Sam Elliott and the "Hickory" Factor
You can't talk about Trolls World Tour Hickory without mentioning Sam Elliott. The casting was a stroke of genius. Elliott is the quintessential American cowboy. By putting that voice into a bright orange, yodeling troll, the filmmakers were playing with our expectations.
We trust that voice.
When Hickory warns Poppy about the "Deep End," we believe him because he sounds like a man who has seen some stuff. If he had been voiced by a high-pitched comedian, the betrayal wouldn't have hurt as much. The fact that he actually cared about Poppy’s safety, despite being a bounty hunter, is what makes him the most complex character in the sequel.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hickory’s Music
There is a common misconception that Hickory doesn't have a musical "home." Since he was pretending to be a Yodeler, people assume his real music style is just... whatever Dickory likes. But that’s not true.
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The Yodelers represent a specific folk tradition within the Trolls universe. Even though Hickory was a bounty hunter, his cultural roots were still tied to that European-inspired, alpine sound. When the "Trolls Wanna Have Good Times" medley happens at the end, you see the Yodelers represented. Hickory found his place not by being a "spy," but by finally being able to exist without the costume.
The Legacy of the Yodel Trolls
Since the release of Trolls World Tour, the fandom has been obsessed with the "lost" tribes. Hickory is our only real window into the Yodelers. We know they were once a proud group before Barb started her crusade.
Interestingly, in the follow-up series and the third movie, Trolls Band Together, Hickory isn't the main focus, but his impact remains. He proved that the Trolls world is much bigger than just the six main strings. There are sub-genres everywhere. There are mercenaries. There are trolls who don't just want to "hug time" every hour on the hour.
Why Hickory Matters in the 2026 Context
Looking back at the franchise now, especially with the newer films exploring the "BroZone" era, Hickory stands out as the most "adult" character. He deals with themes of:
- Deception and the guilt that comes with it.
- The pressure of family (his brother Dickory was constantly pushing him to finish the job).
- The realization that your leaders might be wrong.
He’s a survivor.
In a world of glitter and sparkles, Hickory was the grit. He reminded the audience that even in a world where "everything is awesome," people still have complicated motives. He wasn't a bad guy. He was a guy in a bad situation trying to make a better choice.
Technical Details You Probably Forgot
If you're a hardcore fan, you might remember that Hickory’s design features a very specific vest and hat combo. It’s a direct nod to classic Western cinema. His "four-legged" stance was a huge point of contention during production. The animators had to figure out how to make a centaur-like figure move in a way that felt natural but "off" enough to justify the Dickory reveal later.
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The color palette for Hickory is also intentional. He uses earthy tones—browns, oranges, and muted yellows. This separates him visually from the neon-soaked Pop Trolls and the harsh reds and blacks of the Rock Trolls. He is literally and figuratively "grounded."
Actionable Takeaways for Trolls Fans
If you're revisiting the movie or introducing it to someone new, pay attention to these things regarding Hickory:
- Watch the gait. Look at how Hickory walks during the scene where they leave Lonesome Flats. You can actually see the "joint" where the costume splits.
- Listen to the subtext. In his early conversations with Poppy, he isn't just being nice. He’s testing her. He’s trying to see if she’s actually capable of leading, or if she’s just a kid in over her head.
- The Brother Dynamic. Pay attention to the muffled sounds. You can occasionally hear Dickory complaining from inside the suit before he's officially revealed.
Hickory remains one of the most popular characters for a reason. He’s the "cool uncle" of the Trolls universe. He’s the one who told us that it’s okay to be different, and it’s okay to change your mind—even if you’re currently wearing a giant yodeling horse suit.
To truly appreciate the character, you have to look past the Sam Elliott drawl and see the guy who was willing to lose his "standing" with the bounty hunter community just to make sure a girl he barely knew didn't lose her crown. That’s the real Hickory.
Next time you watch Trolls World Tour, skip to the scene where they’re on the river. Watch Hickory’s face when Poppy talks about "uniting everyone." You can see the exact moment he decides he can't go through with his plan. That’s world-class animation and acting right there.
Go back and rewatch the "Yodel-Adle-Eedle-Idle-Oo" sequence. Now that you know Dickory is in the back, the choreography becomes ten times funnier. It's a feat of coordination that deserves more credit than it gets in the history of animated twists. Hickory isn't just a troll; he's a lesson in how to write a secondary character that steals the entire show.