Gallaxhar Speaks

Actor Rainn Wilson provides the voice of the alien Gallaxhar in Monsters vs. Aliens. Famous Kids spoke with Rainn about getting behind the microphone to play an evil space invader

Famous Kids: How do you get into the mindset of an evil creature like Gallaxhar?
Rainn Wilson: I think we all have an evil side and I think it’s pretty easy to access. And I definitely have a pretty big ego, and I’m able to tap into that. And I’m actually part alien (laughing).

FK: What was it like recording your voice?
RW: The first time I came in we just played around and tried different funny voices. And they realized early on the comedy that they needed from me was not crazy, silly comedy but rather they needed me to be an evil guy. They needed me to be a nemesis and to be the obstacle to the heroes. So in a lot of ways I needed to work on being really menacing and intimidating.

FK: What’s funny about Gallaxhar? We know he’s evil, but what makes him funny?
RW: I mean, he’s completely evil and intimidating, and horrible and maniacal. But he’s got some fried circuits in there, pop culture references pop out — he’s been watching television beamed up from planet Earth. Also, I think a great source of comedy comes from characters who take themselves far too seriously, and he does.

FK: You are a parent, did that influence you to be in this film, and perhaps other future animated films?
RW: You know, I actually think about that a lot now as my son, Walter, is getting older, and really wanting to make stuff that he’s going to enjoy and that kids can enjoy. When I see how much pleasure he gets from really great animated films and how much they touch him, I want to be a part of that. And his little brain is going to be blown away by this movie and hearing his dada’s voice in the body of a half squid, weird evil alien.