Bobby Moynihan voices a fish-man monster in new Minions movie

Bobby Moynihan, known for his work on Saturday Night Live and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, recently voiced the character Phillips in the animated film Minions & Monsters. The movie, which is now playing in theaters and streaming on digital platforms, is a tribute to Hollywood's early creature features. It follows the Minions from the Despicable Me franchise as they attempt to revive their cinematic careers in the late 1920s by using a warlock's spell-book to conjure real monsters. Moynihan, along with Phil LaMarr and Trey Parker, voices one of these monsters: Phillips, Howard, and Goomi, respectively. In a Zoom interview with UPI, Moynihan described Phillips as a giant fish-man in a clam bra, and he found the character's voice by looking at his adorable face. He worked with director Pierre Coffin and writer Brian Lynch, who showed him some of LaMarr's work as Howard to help him develop the character. Moynihan admitted he was initially nervous about joining such a successful franchise, but he soon realized that the creative team knew exactly what they wanted and guided him in the right direction, allowing him to have fun with a weird character. He also joked that if Coffin had used his Minions voice in the recording studio, he would have exploded. Moynihan praised Coffin as a fantastic creative person who loves what he does, and he felt a connection with him, comparing their relationship to that of James and Henry, two of the Minion besties. The film features a stellar vocal cast, including Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, and Jesse Eisenberg. Moynihan was particularly excited to meet Jeff Bridges, and he noticed an Easter egg in the movie: an airplane tied in a knot, reminiscent of the poster for the film Airplane!, which starred Jeff Bridges' father, Lloyd Bridges. Moynihan felt very Hollywood romantic while watching the movie, appreciating the tribute to the birth of Hollywood and the ingenuity that has kept it running for over a century. The film celebrates the early days of cinema, and Moynihan's experience was a treat, especially seeing all the little Easter eggs thrown in. The movie is a blockbuster, and Moynihan's performance as Phillips adds to the fun and quirky nature of the film, which combines the beloved Minions with classic monster movie tropes. The collaboration between Moynihan, LaMarr, and Parker brings these monsters to life, and the film's success is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Minions franchise and its ability to evolve with new stories and characters. Moynihan's involvement in the project highlights his versatility as an actor, moving from live-action comedy to voice acting in a major animated franchise. The film's setting in the late 1920s allows for a nostalgic look at Hollywood's past, and the inclusion of real monsters adds a supernatural twist to the Minions' adventures. Overall, Minions & Monsters is a celebration of cinema history, and Moynihan's role as Phillips is a memorable addition to his career. The movie's release in theaters and on digital platforms makes it accessible to a wide audience, and its blend of humor, nostalgia, and adventure is likely to appeal to both longtime fans of the Minions and newcomers alike. Moynihan's enthusiasm for the project is evident in his interview, and his love for the character and the creative team shines through. The film's success is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Minions and the creativity of the filmmakers behind them.