Wanda Sykes Relishes a Stinky Role in ‘Over the Hedge’
Well, it wasn’t really that easy for the actress-comedian from Richmond, Va., who got her comedic at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in Washington, D.C.
During a recent stop in metro Detroit where she sat in a small conference room taking questions from a round-table of reporters, Sykes said she’s done stand-up, television, movies, voiceovers and all “kinds of stuff” in between.
But it’s the voice of the skunk, Stella, in the animated film “Over The Hedge,” that has her crisscrossing the country currently to promote the movie opening May 19.
Watching a preview, it’s uncanny the way Stella, the skunk, bears a striking resemblance to Sykes. The comedian lifts one brow when I say that, then wholeheartedly agrees.
“They watch you when you’re doing the voice, and then it is weird to see yourself come to life on screen,” she said.
At first, the thought of appearing as a skunk on film didn’t appear all too rosy for Sykes, but then when the comedian saw that there were animals like porcupines and raccoons alongside of Stella, she gave the stinky role a chance.
It was more so getting into Stella’s psyche that became a challenge for Sykes.
“Well, Stella feels that nature has dealt her a bum hand,” said Sykes.
After all, her talent is that she stinks, according to the movie’s producers.
The movie is the story of animals trying to co-exist with humans and suburban sprawl. The production notes say: “They eat to live. We live to eat. They take what they need and use what they take. We take what we wantâÂ?¦and then want more.”
Based on the popular comic strip of the same name and written by Michael Fry, while illustrated by T Lewis, it made its debut in June 1995. The film version is directed by Tim (“Antz”) Johnson.
For Sykes, the movie was a chance to show up and not have to sit for hours of make up and wardrobe, something that’s a given in film. But acting for a cartoon is even more difficult, she said, than appearing on camera.
“For one thing, you don’t work with the other actors,” she said. Even though she was hoping to meet and work with Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling and Steve Carell, who are some of the other animal voices, none of the actors were ever in the same room.
Ironically, Sykes said she just started a movie where she works with Carell “face to face” in “Evan Almighty.”
“But we never saw each other during the making of ‘Over the Hedge,’ ” she said.
Maybe Sykes should find out if Pepe Le Pew had the same problem?
