It’s a heroic team-up of cross-dimensional proportions in the new animated movie Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One. Leading the DC characters is Superman, played by Chandler Riggs, as the Justice League find themselves significantly de-aged when they’re suddenly transported to the fantasy world of Remnant. Teaming up with the realm’s magical heroes RWBY, Superman and the Justice League must learn how to work together with the colorful quartet if they hope to save both worlds and make it back home.
In an exclusive interview with CBR, Chandler Riggs talked about taking on the role of DC’s flagship superhero, shared his love of Rooster Teeth’s fan-favorite programming, and teased what fans can expect from the new film.
CBR: Chandler, how did the opportunity to voice the biggest superhero in the world for Justice League x RWBY come about?
Chandler Riggs: I was at my family’s house in Georgia, and I remember getting the email. I had never opened the mail app on my phone so fast. [laughs] When you see, in all caps in the subject line, “JUSTICE LEAGUE X RWBY,” I opened it up so fast and read through everything. I could not believe that they wanted me to play Superman. It was so surreal, cool, and really awesome. I’ve been a big fan of Rooster Teeth, so getting to work with them felt very full circle. It was very cool.
You and I are talking on the 85th anniversary of Superman’s creation, coincidentally enough. Was there anyone you looked to for inspiration, or did you want to start with a clean slate when approaching the role?
Superman, interestingly enough, is one of those characters where you just say the name “Superman” and everyone innately knows who he is. He is the leader of the heroes, the guy that everybody looks up to and wants to be. Fortunately, I didn’t have to do a ton of research to build out that character. I did have to make the adult Superman and figure out how he walks, talks, carries himself, thinks, and why he does things a certain way, and then I had to throw on the layer of adolescence.
Now that his brain chemistry is different, how would his hormones be unbalanced? How does that affect how he talks, how he carries himself, or his confidence? It was a fun challenge to bring Superman through this uncharted territory that we haven’t really seen from a character like that.
RWBY and Rooster Teeth have a very high level of energy and a distinct sense of humor. How was it finding and maintaining that in your performance?
I had [director Kerry Shawcross] working with me the whole time, and he was so helpful and great. The writing really helped. It had very specific stuff about Superman and Clark in there [about] how he navigates this world. It is a whole new world and weird stuff for this character, but I had great guides along the way to help steer the ship.
Was there a specific line in the script or bit of direction from Kerry that helped you find your version of Superman?
The thing is, we recorded it years ago, and I haven’t seen the film yet. I’m trying to think back and can’t think of any specific lines. In my prep, I had a handful of specific phrases that helped me trigger into being Superman, but I can’t remember any specific pieces of dialog. I do remember every piece of [the] dialog was part of a cumulative effort in making this Superman come to life. It was very well-written [and] well-done, and it all felt in line with a single, cohesive character.
What was your gateway to Superman?
I grew up watching Henry Cavill’s Superman. That was my goalpost. It’s a crazy ask, but I need to have that level of weight. That guy has been through some stuff, and he comes through the other side cool, confident, [and] collected, and he’s the guy that everyone wants to be. If I come anywhere close to Henry Cavill’s Superman, with that teenage shade on top, I’ll have done my job.
You had done Robot Chicken before, but you really get to cut loose with your voice acting here. How was it leaning on your voice as your only tool for this performance?
It was interesting because they wanted me to use my neutral voice for this character. They didn’t want me to do a specific character voice for this. I had a few things prepared in case they did, but they just wanted my neutral voice, which made my job easier. [laughs] I still had to use my whole body to really embody this character. There’s a certain way that Superman stands and walks. It is a new character, and I built it the same way I would build any other character for live-action. It was a fun experiment to try to contain it to a voice and see how it goes, and it was a lot of fun.
I’ve talked to a lot of voice actors, and they usually say they finish a recording session sweatier and more physically involved than they anticipated.
The funny thing is we recorded the whole thing in three or four hours; we recorded all my dialogue for the whole film. I came back and did ADR last year and finished it, doing some polishing. It was tiring because it was just nonstop work, using your voice and trying to give them the performance that they’re wanting to get, that they’re going to use and listen to over and over again for the next six months while they animate the mouths. [laughs]
It’s got to be good, entertaining, and encapsulate everything that you’ve built. It’s a different thing and very exerting. I walked out of there very sweaty [and] tired and very much in need of tea and honey for my throat. [laughs]
Your on-screen dad Rick Grimes is coming back with a new show. Would you be open to reprising your role as Carl as a ghost or flashback or have you made your peace with The Walking Dead?
I’m kind of on both sides of the fence. There were some ideas thrown around for the potential of a Carl flashback — not in the Rick and Michonne series but in an unrelated thing. There were some talks about something like that, but ultimately, the character is wrapped up in a pretty solid spot. I think if he were to come back, it would have to be for a very good and specific reason. I don’t think it’d be any good if it were as a ghost or a hallucination or something.
I feel like there would be something worthy to get out of a flashback with Rick and Carl or Michonne and Carl in the future, but I have no info on that. [laughs]
Chandler, now that the movie is done, what are you most proud of getting to work with Rooster Teeth and take on the role of Superman?
Honestly, it is just the coolest thing ever. The Rooster Teeth guys, I used to be such a fan of growing up. I watched all of Red vs. Blue and love those guys. Superman is such a beloved character and an iconic role. Just getting to do something with both and something in anime, so many dreams come true wrapped up into one. I’m incredibly lucky [and] so grateful for the opportunity, and [I] hope that something like this comes through again.
Directed by Kerry Shawcross, Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen, Part One is on sale on April 25 on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and digital HD.
Leave a Reply