Theron, Midler, Janney & more to get kooky for Addams Family animated film

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Oh wow, I've got chills, my friends. At long last, MGM has unveiled the full voice cast for the upcoming ADDAMS FAMILY animated feature. Prepare yourselves, as things are bound to get both creepy and kooky, while making our way down the list. To begin, Charlize Theron (ATOMIC BLONDE) will lend her vocals to the role of Morticia Addams, with Oscar Isaac (EX MACHINA) as Gomez Addams, Chloë Grace Moretz (LET ME IN), as Wednesday Addams, Finn Wolfhard (IT, Netflix's STRANGER THINGS) as Pugsley Addams, Nick Kroll (PARKS AND RECREATION) as Uncle Fester, Bette Midler (HOCUS POCUS) as Grandmama and Academy Award winner Allison Janney (I, TONYA) as the family’s arch nemesis Margaux Needler.

Vernon and Tiernan will co-direct from a screenplay penned by Matt Lieberman based on the Charles Addams' iconic cartoon series. The film will be produced by Vernon with Gail Berman, courtesy of her banner The Jackal Group, and Alex Schwartz. The animation will be executive produced by Andrew Mittman, Kevin Miserocchi and Joe Earley. Tabitha Shick, MGM’s Executive Director, Worldwide Motion Pictures is overseeing the project on behalf of the studio. CG Animation and digital visual effects production is underway in Vancouver at Cinesite Studios, a world-renowned independent digital entertainment effects house.

Based on the famous New Yorker creations of Charles Addams, this animated action-comedy will follow the Addams family whose lives begin to unravel when they face-off against a crafty reality-TV host while also preparing for their extended family to arrive for a major celebration, Addams-style.

Vernon said, “Greg and I have always been a fan of the Addams Family in past versions, so when we set out to make this movie, we were excited to do something new. With that in mind, I drew from the brilliantly original Charles Addams New Yorker cartoons for the look of the film and decided to tell the story of how Gomez and Morticia meet, find their house and start their family. This unique approach is what drew me in to direct the film. The re-imagining also extends to the stellar cast we’ve put together who will each bring their own spin to our film that will appeal to longtime fans of the Addams and introduce them to a new generation.”  

“Conrad and Greg are masters of animation with the keen ability to create something both kids and their parents will enjoy for different reasons. Adding to that a world class caliber of talent with Oscar, Charlize, Chloë, Finn, Nick, Bette and Allison – we can’t wait to bring their fresh and modern take on The Addams Family to the worldwide audience,” said MGM’s President, Motion Picture Group, Jonathan Glickman.

According to the film's press release:

Morticia, devilishly devoted to her husband and children, is the pale glue that holds her clan together. Gomez, debonair, sinister and passionately in love with his wife, is enthusiastic about whatever dreadful scheme he’s cooked up. Wednesday is a brilliant and sinister teenage girl with long braids and dead-pan wit. Pugsley, a menacing 10 year old on over-drive, enjoys getting into any kind of dreadful mischief he can find. Mad Uncle Fester is good natured, merry and likes to create mayhem any way he can. Grandmama is smitten with her grandchildren who enjoy her cookies shaped like bats and skulls. Margaux Needler, the reality TV makeover queen, is consumed with a desire for absolute suburban, pastel perfection.

Yo, I was obsessed with both the ADDAMS FAMILY and THE MUNSTERS, while I was growing up. To be perfectly honest, I think Morticia Addams and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark are directly responsible for my strong attraction to whip-smart women draped in Gothic attire. Here's hoping that one of history's most iconic and macabre family units can shine like a pale full moon, once again, at the box office.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY will get all together ooky in theaters on October 11, 2019.

Source: MGM

About the Author

Born and raised in New York, then immigrated to Canada, Steve Seigh has been a JoBlo.com editor, columnist, and critic since 2012. He started with Ink & Pixel, a column celebrating the magic and evolution of animation, before launching the companion YouTube series Animation Movies Revisited. He's also the host of the Talking Comics Podcast, a personality-driven audio show focusing on comic books, film, music, and more. You'll rarely catch him without headphones on his head and pancakes on his breath.