Take a First look at the next Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures upcoming movie: SING. McConaughey plays the animated animal alongside other A-list voice talent such as Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon in the family-friendly musical comedy SING, in theaters Dec. 21, 2016, and directed by Garth Jennings.
Buster Moon has realized the dream of owning the theater that he used to go with his dad, but the place has fallen on hard times with nobody coming for shows anymore. Though his best friend, a black sheep named Eddie, doesn’t think it’s a great idea, he decides to put on the world’s greatest singing competition.
He scrapes together $1,000 for the winner, but thanks to Buster’s doddering old lizard assistant, fliers go out proclaiming a $100,000 prize, causing a stir in the animal world. And as Buster fights for his theater’s relevance, five characters become the top talent in the competition, “all of whom are ultimately trying to define or redefine or find themselves through music and performance,” adds producer Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of animation studio Illumination Entertainment.
Rosita the pig gave up her teenage musical dreams years ago but yearns to be more than just a devoted mom to her 25 piglets. “She rarely has a second to herself, so she finds her moments of freedom intersect with this passion for music,” Witherspoon says. “She embodies and embraces that singer in all of us who just belts it out when no one is looking.”
Ash is a porcupine who heads up an alternative-rock band with her boyfriend, but when she makes it into the competition and he doesn’t, there is some strife. But along the way, she finds enough confidence to be comfortable with herself, Johansson says. “Ash is an artist at heart who discovers her true voice with the support of her friends and fellow artists. In fact, she represents a lot of teenagers going through the same experience of embracing their true selves as they come of age.”
Rounding out the top five are Mike a little mouse with a big Sinatra-esque voice and arrogant attitude “who’s looking at any moment to try to take advantage of anyone he comes in contact with,” says Meledandri; Johnny, Johnny, a young gorilla who just wants to sing but whose gangster father wants him to follow in the family’s criminal footsteps; and Meena, a teenage elephant with an exquisite voice and severe stage fright.
