It won’t be wrong to say thatPaws of Fury: The Legend of Hanksomewhat aims to fill the gaps left by theKung Fu Pandafilm series. Directed byRob Minkoff,Mark Koetsier, andChris Bailey,Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hankis the story of an under- “dog” (get the pun?) who is constantly down on his luck. So, he goes to Jimbo - a legendary samurai warrior to be trained in martial arts and protect himself. And then his life changes.
The martial arts comedy animation takes inspiration from a 1974 black comedy western,Blazing Saddles, which was written and directed byMel Brooks(who also has a role in the animation). ForPaws of Fury: Legend of Hank, some characters from the 1974 feature film are reprised and adapted for animation.
The movie brings on board some of the biggest legends in entertainment, in various voice roles, and it seems epic. Each of these cast members brings their signature style to the characters, making the story more hilarious than you can imagine. With the likes ofSamuel L. Jackson,Ricky Gervais,George Takei,Michelle Yeoh, etc. playing the characters, there’s no escaping a laugh riot. So, without any delay, let’s look at who’s voicing who in this all-new mammalian adventure.
Related:‘Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank’ Featurette Highlights Michael Cera and Samuel L. Jackson
Michael Cera as Hank
Hank is the story’s protagonist, the victim who transforms into the hero, the dog who becomes the savior of cats. The hard-on-luck, awkward little beagle, lives in the dark parts of the town and is always bullied. He has but one dream – to become a legendary samurai and learn to fight his enemies. Then he finds Jimbo and a new purpose for his life. By learning how to fight, Hank must slay the biggest enemy of the Kakamucho village. And thus begins the legend of Hank. His character is based on Sheriff Bart, the black sheriff of Rock Ridge, fromBlazing Saddles.
Hank is voiced by actor and musicianMichael Cera, who started his career with a voice role forThe Berenstain Bearstelevision show. He shot to fame with his character of George Michael Bluth on the hit American sitcom,Arrested Development, and later in the teen comedy,Superbad. Thereafter, Cera appeared in major roles in many comedy movies likeJuno,Year One,Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,This is The End,Sausage Party, andThe Lego Batman Movie. He has also had guest spots on many popular television shows likeChildrens Hospital,The Simpsons,Veronica Mars, andDrunk History. Most recently Cera starred oppositeAmy Schumerin the Hulu seriesLife & Beth.Cera will next appear in an undisclosed role inGreta Gerwig’s highly anticipatedBarbiealongside an all-star cast led byMargot RobbieandRyan Gosling.
Samuel L. Jackson as Jimbo
Jimbo is Hank’s sensei, the great samurai whose legends precede him. But in person, Jimbo is not quite as impressive as Hank imagined. Rather, he’s a very grumpy, old, tuxedo cat, who doesn’t really want to train a dog; it’s just the rules. But Jimbo sees an opportunity here (as you would expect from a cat). Kakamucho, the village he lives in, is under threat from a dangerous villain – Ika Chu. Jimbo thinks if he can train Hank enough, then Hank can become the best patsy to fight Ika Chu and save the village. So, he decides to become the mentor anyway. Hank’s character is based on the alcoholic gunslinger, Waco Kid fromBlazing Saddles.
Voicing the character of Jimbo is Hollywood legend,Samuel L. Jackson. For over 50 years in the industry, Jackson has appeared in over 150 films and remains the highest-grossing actor of all time. From a small role inComing to Americaall the way up to roles in films like the action-comedy,Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, Jackson has played an uncountable variety of roles. But he’s most recognized for his work in theStar Warsprequels, the MCU,Jungle Fever,Die Hard with a Vengeance,Pulp Fiction,Django Unchained, andShaft, among many others. AfterPaws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, Jackson is all set to reprise his MCU role of Nick Fury in the Disney+ seriesSecret Invasionas well as theCaptain MarvelsequelThe Marvels. He’ll also be a part of the ensemble ofMatthew Vaughn’s spy flickArgylleandwill be voicing another animated feline in Sony’sGarfieldmovie starringChris Pratt.
Ricky Gervais as Ika Chu
Ika Chu is the story’s villain, the enemy of the village where Hank ends up at. Ika Chu is a Somali cat whose only objective is to wage war on Kakamucho and wipe out its population and take complete control. When he encounters Hank, Ika Chu makes the beagle his prime nemesis. Ika Chu is oddly funny for a villain and very eccentric, but he can be quite dangerous in his hilarious way. This character is based on the conniving attorney, Hedley Lamarr fromBlazing Saddles.
Ika Chu is voiced by Ricky Gervais. The English comedian, actor, director, and writer is renowned for his confrontational comedy style. Gervais is best known for co-creating and acting in the British television mockumentaryThe Office. He has also appeared in many Hollywood movies likeGhost Town, theNight At The Museumfranchise,The Invention of Lying,Special Correspondents, and television series likeAfter Life. He is set to appear in the upcoming comedy series,Greenlight – German Genius.
Mel Brooks as Shogun
Shogun is a British shorthair cat and the ruler of the Kakamucho and seems to be supportive of Hank. Shogun’s character is an animated reprisal of the character Gov. William J. Le Petomane, a Yiddish-speaking Native American chief, fromBlazing Saddles.
Shogun is voiced byMel Brooks, who directed and wroteBlazing Saddles. Over a career spanning seven decades, the actor, comedian, and filmmaker has gained recognition for the hit television comedy series,Get Smart, and movies likeYoung Frankenstein,Silent Movie,Spaceballs,Dracula: Dead and Loving It, and more. Brooks has also played and voiced characters in movies likeRobots,The Producers,Hotel Transylvaniasequels, and countless others.
George Takei as Ohga
Ohga is a muscular Manx cat, the leader of Ika Chu’s army, and his right-hand man. Ohga’s character is based on the dim-witted but philosophical henchman, Mongo from Blazing Saddles.
Ohga is voiced by George Takei. The veteran actor is best known for his role of Hikaru Sulu in theStar Trektelevision series and the subsequent sequels in the franchise. Takei has also appeared in movies likeBlood Oath/Prisoners of the Sun,Oblivion,Larry Crowne, and television series likeHeroes,Supah Ninjas, andThe Neighbors, among many others.
Djimon Hounsou as Sumo
Sumo, as you can guess from the name, is a giant ginger cat who terrorizes Kakamucho.
Sumo is voiced byDjimon Hounsou. The Academy-Award nominated actor and model shot to fame withSteven Spielberg’sAmistad. Thereafter, he gained widespread recognition for his roles inGladiator,Blood Diamond, andConstantine. He also appeared inLara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life,The Island,Guardians of the Galaxy,King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,Aquaman,Captain Marvel,A Quiet Place Part II,Charlie’s Angels, andThe King’s Man. Hounsou will next appear as The Wizard in the superhero sequelShazam! Fury of the Gods, as well asZack Snyder’s sci-fi blockbusterRebel Moonas a character named General Titus, and the true-life thrillerLast Breathwhere he’ll be joined byWoody HarrelsonandSimu Liu.
Michelle Yeoh as Yuki
Yuki is a female Persian cat and mother of the tiny Emiko, who wants to become a samurai. Yuki is also quite supportive of Hank and seems optimistic about the dog’s ability to save their village.
Michelle Yeoh voices the character of Yuki. Yeoh shot to global fame with her roles inTomorrow Never DiesandCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The award-winning actress is best recognized for her work inMemoirs of a Geisha,The Lady,Crazy Rich Asians,Gunpowder Milkshake,Last Christmas,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,and recently,Everything Everywhere All at Once.Yeoh will soon be seen inPaul Feig’s upcoming fantasy film,The School for Good and Evilbased off the best-selling book series. She’ll also be appearing inJames Cameron’sAvatarsequels,The Witcherspin-off limited seriesThe Witcher: Blood Origin, the animated fableThe Tiger’s Apprentice, and the Disney+ seriesAmerican Born Chinese.
Related:‘Paws of Fury’ Character Posters Showcase the Furry Cast of the Animated Samurai Comedy
Other Voice Cast of Paws of Fury: Legend of Hank
Aasif Mandvivoices the character of Ichiro, a tuxedo cat. Mandvi is best known for his roles inSpider-Man 2andThe Last Airbender, and in television series likeER,Sex and the City,Law, and Order, andA Series of Unfortunate Events, among others.
Standup comedian and actor,Gabriel Iglesias, voices the role of Chuck, a clumsy calico cat. Iglesias has produced and performed in many stand-up specials, films, and television shows includingMagic Mike,A Haunted House 2,Fluffy’s Food Adventures,Narcos, andModern Family.
Cathy Shimvoices Little Mama, the grand dame of Kakamucho. She is best known for her work inReno 911!,The Vent,Oishi: Demon Hunter, andPrank Encounters. And last, but not least, the feisty little kitten Emiko, is voiced byKylie Kuioka, who has previously appeared inMove to the Music with Captain Jam, andBetter Nate Than Ever.
