Pokémon cast change CONFIRMED

[Yash]

From Eric Stuart:

Originally Posted by PPNSteve on the Pokémon Community Forums - Eric Stuart reply via email
Pokemon USA has decided that it's too expensive to use 4Kids and the
actors that have made Pokemon the TV show such a success for the last
10 years. They have 'behind our backs' re-cast the show with
'sound-a-likes' to try to save money. They acutally believe the fans
don't care. They are starting with the 10 year anniversary
special-starring all new voices. The main cast, me included, has taken
a lot of pride in the characters we have helped to create. To change
now, on the last season, based on greed is a sad example of what big
buisness kids marketing really is.

Please spread the word-maybe some fan buzz can stop this tragedy.

Eric 'Brock & James" Stuart

I feel bad for Veronica Taylor right now, but on the flip side:

To change now, on the last season, based on greed is a sad example of what big buisness kids marketing really is.

I find that quote amusing. Ever hear of "hypocrisy", Eric?

[Dark Fact]

Eric mentions about corporate greed but is 4Kids really any different? I'm betting that if the tables were turned and that Pokemon USA ran the show for 10 years only to have 4Kids take it, they would recast the characters as well.

[Yash]

Originally Posted by Dark Fact

Eric mentions about corporate greed but is 4Kids really any different? I'm betting that if the tables were turned and that Pokemon USA ran the show for 10 years only to have 4Kids take it, they would recast the characters as well.

Precisely. This is what happened with Sonic X, only flipped.

Ryan Drummond actually approached 4Kids about Sonic X, too, so I consider them worse.

[Dark Fact]

There were plenty of big name TV and game actors who applied at 4Kids to land the speaking roles of franchise characters only to have Kahn brush them off in favor of his own "talent pool". Heck, I even heard that James Avery, who did the voice of Shredder in the original TMNT tried to apply for voice of the new Shredder!

[William C. Maune]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I find that quote amusing. Ever hear of "hypocrisy", Eric?

Unless he holds some other position, Eric just a 4Kids VA. He doesn't make the company's decisions.

[Yash]

Originally Posted by William C. Maune

Unless he holds some other position, Eric just a 4Kids VA. He doesn't make the company's decisions.

If I recall correctly, he WAS the voice director for Yu-Gi-Oh (the first series).

[Dark Fact]

You mean the second series! The first series had nothing to do with Duel Monsters!

[William C. Maune]

Originally Posted by Zeke

If I recall correctly, he WAS the voice director for Yu-Gi-Oh (the first series).

In that case, he still didn't have a say in any of the other changes 4Kids made and he may not even had a say in the casting of Yu-Gi-Oh. If 4Kids told him that he has to use a certain group of people then he doesn't have much choice.

[JellicleCat1965]

I hope they don't change the voice of James-I like his current voice.

[The Wolverine]

Originally Posted by Zeke

If I recall correctly, he WAS the voice director for Yu-Gi-Oh (the first series).

Actually, it's GX he's the voice director for.

But still... he doesn't have much say in who gets to be part of the cast. He's just a VA at the end of the day (and a musician).

[Yash]

Originally Posted by Beau99

But still... he doesn't have much say in who gets to be part of the cast.

That doesn't mean he can't at least try to do a good job at voice direction. Ever hear of making the best with what you've got?

Also, he may have changed since then, but in an interview several years back, he essentially said that he only reads about a paragraph of character information to try and make up a voice, and... seriously, that's it.

[Animeforever'04]

man! people on bulbagarden and pokemon community think its fake well IT'S NOT! it's real

[FireStarterLE]

Pokemon USA being cheap ..... is that like pointing out even more, without directly saying it, that Pokemon's profit has dropped off a ton since they dont have to money to bring back the originals

If they want to do a better job then 4K. replacing the cast isnt a good way to start.

[CyberCubed]

The thing is the voice actors aren't looking for more money. Veronica Taylor is depressed that she can't continue voicing Ash/May, and she'd audition for the role again in a heartbeat if she could.

So why is Pokemon USA hiring sound-a-likes when the old VA are still willing to play the parts?

[Undrave]

Yeah that sucks! It can't be sweet little May without Veronica Taylor

It won't be the same without the cast!

Dangit... give me an email addy so we can flame them.

I think Stuart probably doesn't like 4Kids attitude much either, which is probably why he isn't higher in their corporate ladder - he doesn't agree with the higher ups enough.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

I haven't watched the dub in at least two years. Taylor was at least a decent voice, but nowhere near as good as Rica Matsumoto or Kaori.

Good riddance to Eric Stuart's horrendous work as Kojirou, though. Why he ever replaced Lewis is beyond me.

Pokemon USA will probably continue to replace music and turn over bad scripts, but even if the dub did improve, there's no way I'm getting up on Saturday Morning while I'm at college. Maybe at home over the Summer I would.

So dub changes really don't affect me.

[Animeforever'04]

i'm happy 'casue i hated 4kids dub! and there crappy puns and music changes! so this makes me happy!
also
from bulbagarden
http://pocketmonsters.net/node/3311

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:41:03 EST
Subject: Re: Pokémon to be Recasted?

Hey Scott-
Unfortunately, this is very real. We have been informed that Pokemon USA has already made plans to do the Anniversary special with substitute voices. Apparently, they haven't made a firm decision on the next season yet. None of us have been formally asked to do the show, we've simply been told we'll be replaced. Pokemon USA has made no effort to negotiate with 4kids, simply feeling that getting a cheaper rate to dub the show is enough. They care nothing for the quality. They will be using new script writers, voices, music, etc. We (the voice actors and those at 4kids who work so hard on the show) are all extremely upset as we care very much for Pokemon and what we've worked to create. However, there is nothing that we can do. It seems that the only recourse is for fans to write to Pokemon USA and tell them how wrong their decision is and how it will adversely affect the show.

Thanks for your concern. Please spread the word and let's all try to work together to right this wrong before it's too late.

Veronica

oh and no! lets Not spread the word imo! after what sega had to to the sonic game dubbing i'd say take that!

[FireStarterLE]

for those who want to support those VAs who put 8 years into this show, i've put a link to Pokemon USA's contact page in my signature (includes a letter address to the corporate offices)

[Duke]

Meh, I still refuse to believe anything unless somebody at PUSA says so or the supposed new dub airs on TV.

Even if he is angry, I'd like to believe Eric Stuart isn't as childish as he seems in that e-mail.

[CyberCubed]

Veronica Taylor confirmed it as well, that special airing on April 29th will have all new voices. They haven't dubbed Season 9 yet, so perhaps they can be convinced to use the old ones...