Starring the charismatic Robert Downey Jr. as the тιтular character, 2022’S Dolittle marries a stellar voice cast with its live-action allure. Helmed by Stephen Gaghan and drawing inspiration from Hugh Lofting’s classic 1922 children’s tale, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, this live-action/CGI spectacle marks Downey Jr.’s much-anticipated return to the silver screen following his epic swan song in the previous year’s cinematic тιтan, Avengers: Endgame.

While Dolittle boasts on-screen talents such as Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, and Jessie Buckley, the film’s true magic lies in its enchanting cadre of CGI animals, brought to life by an all-star voice cast. Though Dolittle bombed at the box office, Universal Pictures ᴀssembled a veritable who’s who of vocal talent, animating everything from polar bears to squirrels, and even a dragon, with familiar voices. At its heart, Dolittle is a celebration of the age-old fantasy of conversing with animals, with the Dolittle voice cast injecting a distinctive, family-oriented zest into this beloved reboot.

Emma Thompson As Polynesia

Born April 15, 1959

Actor: Leading the voice cast for Dolittle is renowned Hollywood heavyweight Emma Thompson. Most known for her leading roles in Sense and Sensibility, Howards End, and Saving Mr. Banks, she has also appeared in memorable supporting roles in Love, Actually and the Harry Potter franchise (as Sybil Trelawney). She also starred in and wrote the romantic comedy Last Christmas, and played Baroness von Hellman in 2021’s Cruella.

Character: Two-time Academy Award-winning actress Emma Thompson plays Polynesia in the Dolittle cast, a wise, headstrong macaw who’s also Doctor Dolittle’s most trusted advisor. Also known as Poly, Polynesia proves herselt time and time again to be Dolittle’s most valuable animal companion, helping him get out of scrapes and troubles throughout Dolittle.

Rami Malek As Chee-Chee

Born May 12, 1981

Actor: 2019 Best Actor Oscar winner Rami Malek followed his lead role as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody with Dolittle, and, like the majority of the all-star voice cast, has a broad and successful filmography. Outside of Dolittle and Bohemian Rhapsody, Malek is well-known for his lead role in the hypnotic crime series Mr. Robot, along with roles in Papillon and Short Term 12. The actor also played the Lyutsifer Safin in No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s final outing as Bond.

Character: Rami Malek voices Chee-Chee, a western gorilla in the Dolittle cast. Despite his vast size, stature, and strength, Chee-Chee is timid and a bit of a coward. He gains his confidence throughout the movie, especially when he defeats Barry, Ralph Fienne’s fearsome tiger, and saves Dolitte’s life.

Selena Gomez As Betsy

Born July 22, 1992

Actor: Selena Gomez is no stranger to voice acting, having several voice roles in her filmography prior to joining the Dolittle cast. Gomez, a multifaceted talent, rose to fame as the lead in the Disney Channel’s hit series Wizards of Waverly Place, setting the stage for a successful transition into film. Her vibrant career encompᴀsses notable roles in films such as Spring Breakers and Monte Carlo, as well as voicing the character of Mavis in the H๏τel Transylvania series. More recently, Selena Gomez has found further success playing Mabel in Only Murders in the Building alongside Martin Short and Steve Martin.

Character: Selena Gomez breathes life into Betsy in the Dolittle cast, a warmhearted giraffe and one of Dolittle’s cherished friends. Unlike Chee-Chee, Poly, and several other animal characters in Dolittle, Betsy wasn’t present in Hugh Lofting’s original children’s books, and was created for the 2020 movie

Kumail Nanjiani As Plimpton

May 2, 1978

Actor: Like Selena Gomez and several other Dolittle cast members, Kumail Nanjiani was already an experienced voice actor prior to taking on the role of Plimpton. A stand-up comedian, Nanjiani’s place in film skyrocketed when he wrote and starred in the autobiographical romantic comedy The Big Sick. Since then he’s also starred in the Dave Bautista buddy cop movie Stuber, and he joined the MCU, playing Kingo in Eternals. He is perhaps best known for starring in HBO’s Silicon Valley, and voiced Mack in 2023’s Migration.

Character: In the Dolittle cast, Kumail Nanjiana plays Plimpton, an ostrich who’s well-meaning but has a tendency to get into feuds with the polar bear Yoshi. The chemistry between Nanjiana and John Cena ensures that the bickering between Yoshi and Plimpton are some of the funniest in Dolittle.

John Cena As Yoshi

Born April 23, 1977

Actor: WWE Superstar John Cena may have found fame in the ring, but by the time he appeared in Dolittle he’d become a celebrated cinematic presence, having appeared in films such as Bumblebee, Trainwreck, Playing with Fire, Blockers, and Ferdinand. Cena also joined the Fast & Furious franchise, playing Dominic Torretto’s brother, Jakob, and he joined the DCEU as Peacemaker in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. Peacemaker earned his own spinoff TV series on Max, and Peacemaker season 2 is currently in development. When it comes to voice acting, Cena most recently voiced Rocksteady in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

Character: Yoshi is a polar bear who spends most of the movie arguing with Plimpton. He’s a carefree character though, despite his rivalry with an ostrich. Yoshi is also one of several characters which Dolittle creates humor from by giving them a personality which juxtaposes the kind of animal they are. Much like Chee-Chee the gorilla is shy and timid, Yoshi the polar bear hates being cold (and so always wears a chullo).

Ralph Fiennes As Barry

Born December 22, 1962

Actor: Academy Award-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes was the perfect choice to portray the fearsome antagonist Barry in the Dolittle cast, as he has considerable experience portraying villains. Fiennes is most known for his roles as German officer Amon Goeth in Schindler’s List, Dark Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise, and the amiable concierge in The Grand Budapest H๏τel. Along with Voldemort, Barry adds to the vast number of villains Fiennes has played on screen, as he also starred in The Menu as a murderous chef, Chef Slowik.

Character: Barry is a tiger who attempts to kill and eat Dolittle in the Dolittle cast. Aggressive and grumpy, Fiennes makes Barry into the perfect villain for a movie aimed at younger viewers, and his performance perfectly compliments the CGI and character design of the Bengal tiger.

Octavia Spencer As Dab-Dab

Born May 25, 1970

Actor: Dab-dab the goose is played by Dab-Dab in the Dolittle cast. An Oscar-winning actress celebrated for her poignant performances in The Help, Hidden Figures, and Fruitvale Station, Spencer brings a delightful mix of humor and heart to her role, and makes it one of the standouts of the movie. This is of little surprise though, since Spencer has some solid voice acting credentials, such as voicing Corey The Manticore in Onward.

Character: Octavia Spencer infuses Dab-Dab, the exuberant duck with a distinctive metal leg, with her signature vibrancy and warmth. Dab-Dab’s boundless energy and unique charm are amplified by Spencer’s adeptness at portraying resilient and endearing characters, making the duck a memorable and beloved member of Dr. Dolittle’s eclectic animal entourage.

Craig Robinson As Kevin

Born October 25, 1971

Actor: Known for his comedic prowess, Craig Robinson, famous for his role as Darryl in The Office and appearances in This Is the End and the H๏τ Tub Time Machine series, injects his Dolittle character, Kevin the squirrel, with a blend of humor and depth. Like the majority of members of the Dolittle cast, Craig Robinson has plenty of voice-acting experience, for example when he voiced Mr. Shark in 2022’s The Bad Guys.

Character: Kevin, portrayed by Craig Robinson, is a squirrel with a score to settle in the Dolittle cast, adding an unexpected twist of vengeance to the otherwise whimsical ensemble. Craig Robinson’s ability to balance comedic timing with emotional nuance brings a complexity to the character, making Kevin a standout in the colorful cast of Dolittle.

Tom Holland As Jip

Born June 1, 1996

Actor: Tom Holland has experienced a career explosion over the last decade, with his presence in the Dolittle cast being one of several high-profile roles. Best recognized for his portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially alongside Robert Downey Jr., Holland’s casting adds a layer of camaraderie and continuity to Dolittle. The actor also played Nathan Drake in Uncharted and voiced Ian in Disney’s Onward.

Character: Voicing a bespectacled and insightful dog, Tom Holland brings his youthful energy and charm to the role of Jip in the Dolittle cast. Tom Holland’s ability to convey depth and vulnerability, even through voice work, enriches the character, making the dog not just a source of comic relief but also a heartwarming presence within Dolittles diverse range of animal characters.

Marion Cotillard As Tutu

Born September 30, 1975

Actor: The Oscar-winning French actress Marion Cotillard, celebrated for her transformative portrayal of Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose, as well as her roles in Inception and The Dark Knight Rises, joins the cast of Dolittle as Tutu. When it comes to non-live-action experience, Cotillard also voiced Louise de Savoy in The Inventor, a stop-motion animated film about Leonardo da Vinci.

Character: Marion Cotillard lends her voice to Tutu in Dolittle, a cunning and spirited fox and companion to Betsy the giraffe. Cotillard’s nuanced performance adds depth to the character, making Tutu a memorable and integral part of Dolittle’s adventure, showcasing Cotillard’s versatility and charm in this animated world.

Frances De La Tour As Ginko-Who Soars

Born July 30, 1944

Actor: Renowned for her performances in The History Boys, Into the Woods, and The Book of Eli, Frances de la Tour infuses her Dolittle character, Ginko-Who-Soars, with a mixture of might and mystery. De la Tour is one of the most experienced members of the cast of Dolittle, having been active since 1965 and making her first movie appearance in 1970’s Country Dance.

Character: Frances de la Tour voices Ginko-Who-Soars, an awe-inspiring fire-breathing dragon, with a captivating presence in Dolittle. Her seasoned acting prowess lends an air of gravitas and enchantment to the character, ensuring that the dragon not only embodies the fantasy element of the film but also stands as a complex figure with depth.