In Pixar's Elemental, the beauty of the animation is matched only by the talent of the voice cast that brings these vibrant characters to life. Pixar’s 27th major production, Elemental, is not only a visual delight but also its first romantic comedy-drama, with characters inspired by the natural elements—fire, water, earth, and air.
In this article of our "Behind the Microphone Series", we dive deep into the voice actors behind the Cast of Elemental and explore their unique journey in bringing these characters to life. Whether you're a voiceover professional, aspiring artist, or just curious about the people behind your favorite animated characters, let's take a behind-the-scenes look at the talented cast of Elemental.
The Cast of Elemental
Leah Lewis as Ember Lumen
The fiery Ember Lumen is voiced by Leah Lewis, an actress who brings both warmth and intensity to the role. The casting process was anything but ordinary for Lewis. Following a six-hour audition, she was stunned when Pixar offered her the part. “Is this for real?” she thought, initially convinced it was a joke.
Recording for an elemental character like Ember came with unique challenges. Leah described the experience as physically demanding: “I was surprised by how much I was sweating,” she recalled in an interview. Capturing the essence of fire while balancing emotional depth required a lot of mental energy. "How am I going to drown, or how am I going to be running on a train?" she pondered, navigating the complex emotional range required for her character.
Her most challenging yet rewarding task was conveying Ember's emotional arc—from joyous moments with her father to moments of heartbreak with Wade—using only her voice.
Mamoudou Athie as Wade Ripple
Wade Ripple, the water elemental, is brought to life by the versatile Mamoudou Athie. Athie described the project as a dream come true. “This movie’s so beautiful, and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted to do,” he said. Despite having prior experience in animation, Athie admitted that voice acting still posed unique challenges.
“Four to five hours in the booth can be so draining, but in the most exhilarating way,”
Athie explained. Unlike live-action acting, where physical presence is key, voice acting demands a deep emotional investment. “You’re putting every bit of yourself into the performance because you’re creating a lot of images in your mind,” Athie noted. The repetition and perfectionism required in animation left him feeling mentally exhausted but also deeply fulfilled.
Working on Elemental allowed Athie to appreciate the animation process even more. "It's just magic," he said of watching his voice blend with the stunning visuals created by Pixar’s animators.
Ronnie Del Carmen as Bernie Lumen
Ronnie Del Carmen, who voices Bernie Lumen, the protective father of Ember, is no stranger to animated films. With extensive experience as a storyboard artist and creative mind behind Pixar classics like Wall-E and Ratatouille, Del Carmen brought a personal touch to the role of Bernie.
“I get to channel my own journeys as a son and as a father and put them into Bernie’s story,”
Del Carmen shared. For him, voicing Bernie felt natural, as the character’s parental journey mirrored his own life experiences. “Your workshop is your own experience,” Del Carmen added, emphasizing how deeply personal voice acting can be when channeled through lived experiences.
Shila Ommi as Cinder Lumen
Shila Ommi voices Cinder Lumen, Ember’s loving and supportive mother. Invited personally by Elemental’s director, Peter Sohn, Ommi was thrilled to be part of the project. According to Sohn, Ommi’s voice reminded him of his own mother, making her the perfect choice for Cinder.
Ommi, a seasoned actress, particularly loves the freedom that voice work offers. “With voice work, what I love is that they don’t see you, so you can be as big as you need to,” Ommi explained. For her, this allows a unique level of expression, where she can fully inhabit the character without worrying about on-camera nuances.
Mason Wertheimer as Clod
Mason Wertheimer, a young actor with only a few credits to his name, voices Clod, a fun and charming supporting character. "It’s amazing. I’ve never done anything quite like this before," Wertheimer said of his experience in the Pixar recording booth.
Despite his youth, Mason’s ability to inject humor and energy into his character was key in adding a lighthearted touch to Elemental. While the role may have been new to him, Wertheimer showed impressive dedication, making Clod a memorable part of the film’s cast.
Wendi McLendon-Covey as Gale
Known for her comedic chops, Wendi McLendon-Covey lends her voice to Gale, an air elemental. The actress shared that, unlike some voiceover gigs where recordings were done from her own closet, working with Pixar was an elevated experience. “This was a quality situation, and I was happy to do whatever I needed to do,” she said, thrilled to be part of the Pixar legacy.
McLendon-Covey brought her signature humor to the role, adding a light and breezy touch to Gale’s character. Her experience speaks to the level of craftsmanship and professionalism that Pixar requires from its voice talent.
Catherine O’Hara as Brook Ripple
Catherine O’Hara, a veteran actress and comedian, voices Brook Ripple, Wade’s mother. Known for her unique ability to combine comedy with depth, O’Hara infused her character with charm. "How can she make crying so funny?" co-star Wendi McLendon-Covey marveled.
O’Hara found recording for Elemental to be a fun and rewarding experience, noting the thrill of working with such a talented cast and crew.
Joe Pera as Fern Grouchwood
American comedian Joe Pera voices Fern Grouchwood, bringing a distinctive comedic tone to the character. Pera, known for his deadpan humor, shared his excitement at working with Pixar. "It was a great experience, and the director even showed me the microphone that James Earl Jones used for Mufasa in The Lion King," he posted enthusiastically on social media.
Matthew Yang King as Alan Ripple
With an extensive career in voice acting, Matthew Yang King lends his voice to Alan Ripple, among other supporting characters. “I really loved Elemental,” King said, appreciating the complexity and emotional depth that the film’s voice roles required. His versatility across multiple characters, from Alan Ripple to Lutz and the Earth Pruner, showcased his vocal range and talent.
Innocent Ekakitie as Marco & Polo Ripple
Innocent Ekakitie brings youthful charm to the twin characters Marco and Polo Ripple. This budding young talent was thrilled to join the Pixar family, adding his voice to the dynamic Ripple family. For Ekakitie, working on Elemental was a dream come true, and his energy shines through in the film’s lighter moments.
Voices that Breathe Life into Animation
Elemental isn’t just a visual masterpiece—it’s an auditory one too. The film’s talented voice cast worked tirelessly to bring depth, humor, and emotion to their characters, making the film’s world feel authentic and alive.
Whether you're a fan of animation or an aspiring voiceover artist, Elemental offers a great example of how powerful and transformative voice acting can be. The cast’s dedication and unique talents prove that voice work is an essential ingredient in creating the magic of animated films.
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