Marcos Mion comments on criticism of the dubbing of ‘Lightyear’: ‘fans are hardcore’ [ENTREVISTA]

The protagonist is Buzz, but the one who won a mission was Marcos Mion. When lightyeardebut, on the 16th, he should convince the “hardcore” fans of the saga Toy Storythat he is worthy of voicing the human version of the space ranger.

Mion came under fire after the announcement of his choice in April. The reason would be the replacement of the voice actor Guilherme Briggswho voiced Buzz from the first film Toy Storyby the presenter:

“What people are slowly understanding is that it’s a new character, Buzz being human,” Mion told Rolling Stone Brazil“In the United States and around the world, the voice has changed. I also don’t want to see the Buzz doll with another voice! Guilherme Briggs will always be the voice of the toy”.

In fact, in the American version, Buzz Lightyear also had his voice changed. Traditionally made by Tim Allen in the movies of Toy Storyshe changed to Chris Evans in the new animation. In Brazil, the choice had the blessing of Briggs, who even participated in a teaser, “passing the baton” to Mion: “Guilherme Briggs was a dear to me from the first moment”.

To the fans, Mion assures that the work was hard to present a good version – and that he himself is also an animation aficionado. For him, the invitation would have been “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”: “I like it so much that I have my own customized Toy Storyone foot Buzz, another Woody.” Below is the full conversation with him:

Rolling Stone Brasil: Mion, you were 16 when the first Toy Story it went out. Today, animation is a genre for many ages, but what was it like back in 1995?
Marcos Mion: Toy Storyis a timeless classic, dating back to 1995, when the first movie was released and everyone was thrilled, right up to the present day. It has all the fundamental elements to live forever in the hearts of the public. It is a masterpiece that marked the lives of everyone who watched it, which generates expectations for any related product. lightyear is proof of that.

Rolling Stone Brasil: Do you remember what it was like to watch it for the first time?
Marcos Mion: I remember the first time I watched Toy StoryI was enthralled by the story and how captivating the characters were. Alive Toy Storysince always. I like it so much that I have a custom shoe of mine from Toy Story, a Buzz foot, another Woody. It even went viral all over the world!

Rolling Stone Brasil: You’re a guy who’s done it all, acted, already presented to a niche, now presents to the whole Brazil… What brings you to this universe of animation? How was the invitation and what interested you in it?
Marcos Mion: MASTER Toy Story! My response to my team, when the invitation arrived in the midst of the madness that is my life, was: “I WILL DO IT! I don’t know how, or when, but you’re going to solve this because I NEED TO DO IT! [risos]! It’s the kind of opportunity that happens once in a lifetime!

Rolling Stone Brasil: How was the experience as a whole?
Marcos Mion: The dubbing process is a challenge! I’ve dubbed, but I don’t do it often, so it’s one of the biggest and tastiest challenges I’ve come across. Listening and understanding in English to respond in Portuguese with often strange phrases to fit into the character’s mouth is crazy! Something super hard! Voice actors deserve all recognition and respect. I see this job as a huge honor and challenge.

Rolling Stone Brasil: Who is “real life” Buzz, the man who inspires the doll in the movie? And how are we, the audience, going to feel this difference in his voice?
Marcos Mion: Buzz is an amazing man, really. You can expect that Buzz has a lot of humanity that the doll doesn’t have. I just can’t say much because I need to be very careful with spoilers, fans are hardcore! [risos]

Rolling Stone Brasil: You were given this difficult mission to replace none other than Guilherme Briggs. Did you get to swap pictures? Did he give you some dubbing tips?
Marcos Mion: Guilherme Briggs was a dear to me from the first moment. He is unique, irreplaceable and much loved by fans. The responsibility is huge and, although impossible to replace, I do my best to print the new Buzz features so people have the best experience with the film!

Rolling Stone Brasil: There are those who fear this passing of the baton, fans who criticize the choice. To them, what would you say, to calm their hearts?
Marcos Mion: What people are slowly realizing is that it’s a new character, Buzz being human. In the United States and around the world, the voice has changed. I also don’t want to see the Buzz doll with another voice! Guilherme Briggs will always be the voice of the toy.

The understanding of this reality added to the result of the trailer that was released has already ignited the acceptance of the fans! I dedicated myself, as in everything I do, to the extreme! To the point of repeating an interjection dozens of times until we thought it was perfect, ideal for Buzz. It’s not about my ability to voice acting, it’s about my dedication to the project and the character. I delivered the effort and work that the character deserves and I’m proud of that.

More about Lightyear

The feature film will tell a different version of the one known to fans of Toy Story. It should address the story of the “hero who inspired the toy”. According to the official synopsis, “The film reveals how a young test pilot became the Space Ranger we all know who he is today.” See the trailer below:

In addition to Evans, Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, Peter Sohn, Use Fertilizer, James Brolin and more are in the list. Directed by Angus MacLane (Looking for Nemo), the film hits theaters on June 16, 2022.