Zach Galifianakis explains why live-action Jumba is missing an accent in Disney’s Lilo & Sтιтch. Dr. Jumba Jookiba is one of the main characters in the original Lilo & Sтιтch, known as the eccentric scientist who created Sтιтch and later journeys to Earth with Agent Pleakley to retrieve him. In the Lilo & Sтιтch live-action remake, Jumba retains a similar role, though the movie makes several changes to the character, including doing away with his vaguely Russian-sounding accent.
During an interview with CinemaBlend, Galifianakis explained why his Jumba doesn’t have an accent in the new Lilo & Sтιтch. The actor suggests that the decision may have stemmed from a desire to avoid a potentially problematic accent, especially given how tricky they can be in today’s cultural climate. He also implies that his own limitations with doing voices may have influenced the choice. Read his full explanation below:
I think maybe they wanted to stay away from that kind of thing, or maybe I did do a Russian accent, and they’re like, “That sounds like he’s Chinese.” I can’t really do voices anyway, so maybe that was what it was, but my voice is a little different. I think it’s a little deeper in the [animated version].
Listen, I told them, “Tell me what to do.” I think these days accents are tricky. I don’t know what happens. I don’t know how those decisions are made. Like “No German, no Russian, no accents.” But you still can kind of do a Russian one as the villain, let’s be honest.
What Zach Galifianakis’ Comments Mean For Live-Action Jumba’s Lack Of An Accent
He Wanted To Avoid A Potentially Problematic Voice
With every Disney live-action remake, comparisons to the original animated movie are inevitable, and Lilo & Sтιтch is no different. One topic that has caught the attention of fans is the portrayal of Sтιтch’s creator, Jumba Jookiba, now played by Galifianakis. In the original animated version, the mad scientist was voiced by the late David Allen Ogden Stiers, who speaks with a vaguely Russian-sounding accent despite the character being from the alien world of Quelte Quan. On the other hand, Galifianakis’ take on Jumba mostly reflects his own natural speaking voice.
According to Galifianakis, he may have experimented with accents early on, though they ultimately chose to drop them. He suggests the decision may have stemmed from a desire to avoid potentially problematic or ambiguous accents. He also admits that he isn’t great at doing voices, and may have tried a Russian accent that didn’t land well. Ultimately, he followed the filmmakers’ direction, noting that while accents like Russian are still sometimes used for villains, there seems to be a general trend moving away from using any accents at all in such roles.
Our Take On Live-Action Jumba’s Lack Of An Accent
It’s Probably For The Best
It’s probably for the best that Galifianakis didn’t attempt a Russian or other ambiguous accent for Jumba. In today’s cultural climate, such choices can come off as insensitive or stereotypical, especially when the character is alien. Additionally, by not copying Jumba’s exact voice from the original movie, this also gave Galifianakis a chance to provide a different take on the mad scientist in the Lilo & Sтιтch remake, unburdened by the baggage of outdated vocal caricatures.
Lilo & Sтιтch is now playing in theaters.
Source: CinemaBlend
