A Rick & Morty executive producer reveals the new actor brought on to voice the fan favorite Mr. Poopybutthole. In addition to bringing alive the show’s iconic main characters Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith, departed co-creator Justin Roiland also handled a few side characters on Adult Swim’s hugely popular animated sci-fi series. Among Roiland’s vocal creations was the beloved Mr. Poopybutthole, the fourth-wall-breaking Smith family friend first introduced back in season 2’s classic “Total Rickall” episode.

With the Rick and Morty season 7 cast being overhauled after Roiland’s firing in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations, new actors were brought in to voice both Rick and Morty, and a third actor was later hired to play Mr. Poopybutthole, an actor whose name has now been revealed by EP Scott Marder. Speaking to THR, Marder unveiled the third Roiland replacement as John Allen, and explained why the task of playing Roiland’s most popular side character didn’t go to either Rick actor Ian Cardoni or Morty actor Harry Belden. Check out what Marder said in the space below:

We are happy for [Cardoni and Belden] to take on more of these smaller characters. In the time crunch we were in, it was a lot to ask either of them to fully take on Poopy as well because it’s the most expanded role Poopy has had. We ultimately found another guy, John Allen, who came in late in the game. He took pressure off of Ian and Harry who were both working on Poopy but it felt like too much for either of them to be doing him in an episode of the show that they had to completely redo.

Rick and Morty Needed a New Start After Roiland’s Departure

It’s yet to be seen how the dynamic on Rick and Morty will change with Roiland no longer voicing the main characters. It’s possible the show will roll on as before, with viewers barely noticing that Roiland is gone. It’s also possible that some subtle essence of the show will be lost now that soundalikes, and not Roiland himself, are bringing voice to Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith.

Regardless of how things play out for the show in season 7 and beyond, it’s evident that the Rick and Morty needed a new start after Roiland’s departure. The stories that came out about the series co-creator in the wake of his firing paint a picture of someone who had largely checked out on a creative level, and had become more a negative than a positive force. Recasting Rick & Morty characters like the leads and Mr. Poopybutthole was always going to be perilous, but the show truly had no choice, and now it’s up to the newly-hired actors to put their own unique spins on the gang from Adult Swim’s long-running hit animated show.

Source: THR