The upcoming DC League of Super-Pets animated feature film boasts an incredibly stellar voice cast including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Krypto and perennial Johnson sidekick Kevin Hart as Ace the Bat-Hound. Today the first DC Super Pets trailer was released giving us an early look at the CGI-animated film.
Courtesy of an Entertainment Weekly exclusive, and as seen in the Super Pets trailer, we now know that Natasha Lyonne as Merton the turtle, Vanessa Bayer as PB the pig, and Diego Luna as Chip the squirrel. We also know that John Krasinski will be voicing Krypto’s owner, the Man of Steel himself.
Always wanted to do a buddy movie with @TheRock . Well, these are the roles we were born to play! (FYI… DJ’s the one with the tongue) @DCSuperPets !! pic.twitter.com/eu6IVJXdd4
— John Krasinski (@johnkrasinski) November 22, 2021
Superman isn’t the only major DC Comics superhero to appear in the film as the DC Super Pets trailer also gives a quick glimpse of Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and potentially Jessica Cruz Green Lantern sporting a different look than in the comics. Though not nearly as different as Cyborg with an afro!
While the concept of “super-animals” isn’t exactly new for the DC Universe, this particular iteration is unlike any previous iteration, most notably the fact that the animals are all rescue animals who gain powers through a freak accident. For instance, Ace is no longer simply Batman’s trusty canine companion but gains invulnerability.
However the Super-Pets do seem to take inspiration from established DC Comics characters. Merton the speedster turtle for example may be based on Terrific Whatzit a.k.a. Merton McSnurtle while Chip the squirrel while Chip the Squirrel is most likely a nod to the Green Lantern Ch’p. I’m still trying to figure out the connection between PB the pig and any other Justice League members. Perhaps a reference to the Justice League Unlimited episode “This Little Piggy” where Wonder Woman got transformed into a pig?
In addition to the aforementioned voice cast, DC Super Pets will also feature Ben Schwartz, Thomas Middleditch, Kate McKinnon, Keanu Reeves, and Jameela Jamil in undisclosed roles.
Also I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how adorkable it is that Krypto wears glasses like his owner!