A “Giganteus” cast for Riverdance: The Animated Adventure.

September 11, 2020

The original new feature film RIVERDANCE: ATHE ANIMATED ADVENTURE which is co-produced by Aniventure and River Productions today revealed its impressive voice cast, including Emmy, BAFTA and Grammy award winners. Pierce Brosnan (James Bond, Mama Mia) leads the cast as King of the Megaloceros Giganteus. Two other legendary Irish actors, John Kavanagh (Vikings, Alexander) and Brendan Gleeson (Mr. Mercedes, Harry Potter), play counter to Mr. Brosnan with Mr. Gleeson as the villain.

Lilly Singh, Jermaine Fowler, Pauline McLynn and Aisling Bea, some of the best comedic entertainers working today, provide a hilarious ensemble in the epic musical comedy. Singh is the host of NBC late-night talk show, A Little Late with Lilly Singh and has amassed a global audience of over 36 million followers on social media. One of Hollywood’s fastest rising young talents Jermaine Fowler is best known for his starring role on the CBS television series, Superior Donuts. Pauline McGlynn received a British Comedy Award for her performance in Father Ted. This year, Aisling won the Breakthrough Talent BAFTA for her series This Way Up. Other credits include Living With Yourself for Netflix opposite Paul Rudd and The Fall opposite Jamie Dornan.

Aniventure and River also announces two rising stars, Sam Hardy and Hannah Herman Cortes. Sam, an incredibly talented young Irish actor, voices 12-year-old Keegan, the hero of the film. Hannah, a Spanish actress, voices 12-year-old – Moya as they journey into the magical and mythical world of the Megaloceros Giganeus.

“The breadth and depth of the comedic and dramatic talent of this cast resonates with every line. Their vast experiences and wild imaginations delivered brilliantly nuanced performances which will thrill their fans and charm new audiences,” said Dave Rosenbaum who directed with Eamonn Butler and wrote the screenplay with Tyler Werrin.

Bringing added star power, Ireland’s musical sensation, Lyra, performs a brand-new single, LIGHT ME UP, which she co-wrote with Bill Whelan.

Riverdance: The Animated Adventure is inspired by the Riverdance (originally produced by Moya Doherty) and with new music by Grammy winner Bill Whelan. The film follows an Irish boy named Keegan and a Spanish girl named Moya as they journey into the mythical world of the Megaloceros Giganteus who teach them to appreciate Riverdance as a celebration of life. This is an animated adventure of sight, sound and dance as you’ve never before experienced!

Moya Doherty, who produced alongside Peter and Adam Nagle, said ‘This beautiful story brings Riverdance into a new and exciting phase, one which will allow families to enjoy the spectacle together. It reinforces the deep connection of Riverdance to Irish culture both at home and across the globe, and one which introduces Riverdance to a new, young audience many of whom will be experiencing Riverdance for the first time.’

Riverdance: The Animated Adventure features a score especially written by Bill Whelan for the film, but which combines the main themes from his original Grammy Winning stage show score with an entirely new set of arrangements. In doing so Whelan has created a film score that re-imagines the emotional and elemental themes of Riverdance. Recorded remotely during lock-down the process was no small feat with the films’ composer, producers, directors, sound engineer and the orchestra all situated in different locations. The 73-piece orchestra played in a socially distanced manner but within one large studio at Synchron Stage in Vienna. Commenting on the process, Whelan said, “It was important¬ for this score which combines rhythmic complexity and emotional impact, to have the orchestra in one room together. I was very lucky to find that location in Vienna, and to have at our disposal some of the finest musicians in that historically musical city. What might have seemed impossible turned out in fact to be a most satisfying experience.”

“Music is really the emotion of the movie, beautifully stitching the scenes together,” says Eamonn Butler. “We wanted a score that was melodic with prominent themes, while pushing technical boundaries with modern fun music, too. Bill Whelan was able to weave it all together brilliantly.”

Riverdance The Show has been seen by over 27 million theatre audience across 6 continents and by over 300 billion TV audience worldwide, so 25 years since its first production Riverdance the Animated Feature with its enthralling story, new music and new dance it will appeal to a new whole new generation of audience experiencing the power of Riverdance for the very first time.

RIVERDANCE: THE ANIMATED ADVENTURE is in post-production and will be delivered later this year.