Four local actors voice Hollywood-animated film

DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Rise of the Guardians’ to be released next month


The original “Rise of the Guardians” stars Chris Pine, Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin and Jude Law.

For the film’s Korean release, however, four local actors have been selected to voice the fantasy characters. Titled “Rise of the Guardians,” the computer-animated fantasy film is an ambitious project by the U.S. animation studio DreamWorks.

Based on American author William Joyce’s “The Guardians of Childhood” book series, the film tells the story of Jack Frost, a teenage boy who brings winter wherever he goes for the sake of his own amusement.

He is carefree and almost irresponsible, with no interest in being bound by obligations. His unwanted adventure begins when “the Guardians” ― Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy ― ask him to join the group to protect the children of the world from Pitch, the Nightmare King.

Jack Frost, voiced by Chris Pine in the original film, is played by local actor Lee Je-hoon. The “Architecture 101” and “The Front Line” star said it was his first time voicing an animated film. “The characters speak in English in the original film,” he told reporters during a press meeting on Tuesday. “So sometimes the Korean script would not match the shape of his mouth. The word order of English is different than that of Korean, which also made it difficult.

For “A Gentleman’s Dignity” star Lee Jong-hyuk, the film is something that he would like to watch with his little son. In the film, he plays the Nightmare King, voiced by Jude Law in the original film. “The film is full of adventure and fantasy. I’m very glad to be a part of this film.”

“Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King” actor Ryu Seong-ryong plays Santa Claus (played by Alec Baldwin in the original film) and “Tazza: the High Rollers” actor Yoo Hae-jin plays the Easter Bunny (played by Hugh Jackman).

“I think I look more like the bunny than Hugh Jackman,” Yoo joked when asked if he thinks he is better suited for the role than Jackman.

The press meeting was also Lee Je-hoon’s last public appearance before starting his mandatory military service. He will join the Seoul Police Agency riot police starting Thursday. Lee has a total of three films that will be released while he is serving his military duty ― “Rise of Guardians,” “Ethics of Fury” and “My Pavarotti.”

“I have less than 48 hours (before joining the service),” Lee said. “I feel very fortunate that I was able to work on as many films as possible before joining the service.”

“Rise of Guardians” opens in theaters in Korea in November.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)