Based on the comic strip by Michael Fry and T Lewis, Over the Hedge follows a close-knit bunch of furry critters whose habitat has been reduced to the size of a postage stamp by a housing development which sprung up while they were hibernating. Not only have the innocent creatures had their beautiful woodlands taken away, they’re also forced to face their fears and journey over the hedge (which Steve Carell as Hammy the squirrel names 'Steve') and into suburbia in order to survive. Facing down carpooling moms and kids selling cookies, the motley group takes to the streets in a battle between animals and humans.
The voice of Stella the skunk, comedienne Wanda Sykes, was presented with an unusual problem when it came to figuring out how to voice the character. “It was difficult for me because I was trying to find the voice for this character,” explained Sykes. “It wasn’t Wanda Sykes. Usually I just show up. People hire me to come in and just be me and just deliver a joke. I’ve never had a character that actually had an arc so it was like, ‘I might have to act.’ I’ve never done that before. I felt very vulnerable. It was very stressful.”
Garry Shandling had a different set of challenges. His hair is his trademark, and playing a turtle deprived him of that asset. But that wasn’t Shandling’s biggest concern. “No. I had bigger concerns about the reality issues of what was going on than that. I was concerned about the weight and if he looked fat in that shell,” joked Shandling.
As is typical of most animated movies, each member of the voice cast worked on their part without actually interacting with the other actors. Normally it was just the two directors and a producer around to give the actors feedback, however on one occasion Shandling and Bruce Willis did get together for a scene.
Shandling believes working with Willis helped him find the right tone for that particular scene. “My experience is this: I thought it was valuable. We went in to do that scene and that one scene, it was the sitting on the log scene where he says, ‘Hey, I made a mistake and you should take over.’ [Willis] and I were looking at each other like, ‘What are we doing here?’ Because it was our first shot in the scene. It revealed that that scene didn’t work right and it was slightly adjusted. They kept adjusting it.”
Shandling continued. “You automatically feel what’s real. …Of all the scenes to try to do together, that was the most important because that’s the one serious scene where [the plot turn] has to happen. So we were also trying to figure out how to be funny within that, or I was as well. There are so many levels of it.”
When Bruce Willis was hired on to bring RJ the raccoon to life on the screen, the directors (Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick) requested he add a little of his character from the ‘80s TV series Moonlighting to RJ’s voice and attitude. Shandling said they also requested something special from him.
“I think we all agreed that that character wasn’t clearly defined yet, so I should bring what I am to it,” explained Shandling before adding, “I really was really searching. I have actually a really serious and complicated process where I examine [the character]. ‘Where’s the voice?’ I mean, I sure was searching for it. I don't know because I don't know how else to do it. ‘Is Verne a voice or is it me or is it what?’ Once you get into, ‘Okay it’s me.’”
* * * * *
Over the Hedge opens on May 19, 2006 and is rated PG for some rude humor and mild comic action.
