Steph Curry, Gabrielle Union, Caleb McLaughlin Lead A-List Voice Cast for Sony’s Animated Feature ‘GOAT’

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As an ardent cinema enthusiast, I was thrilled to learn about the voice cast revealed today for Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming action-comedy titled “GOAT,” set to grace our screens on February 13, 2026. This exciting production is being crafted by the brilliant minds behind “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and in partnership with NBA legend Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media and Modern Magic. The story unfolds in a captivating world where the toughest animals engage in the heart-pounding sport of roarball. In this grand arena, an underestimated goat dares to dream beyond the ordinary.

The movie, which was jointly directed by Tyree Dillihay and Adam Rosette (with Michelle Raimo Kouyate co-hosting the presentation), is a tribute to the scrappy spirit often found within basketball communities, as it tells a story deeply rooted in the dynamic culture of this sport.

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In collaboration with Tyree Dillihay and Adam Rosette (with Michelle Raimo Kouyate sharing hosting duties for the presentation), this film pays homage to the underdog spirit, weaving a tale rich in the vibrant atmosphere of basketball culture.

At the forefront is Caleb McLaughlin, lending his voice to Will Harris, affectionately known as “GOAT,” the diminutive but mighty dreamer who yearns to demonstrate his worth in the ROAR League, a competitive arena where swiftness and ferocity dominate the court. In his journey, he becomes part of the Vineland Thorns, an elite roarball team brimming with larger-than-life animal athletes.

At the presentation, SPA displayed animations for the character Will, who stands out from his fellow roarball players due to his slender build and short stature. In various scenes, both Will and other professional roarball players were depicted wearing Under Armor clothing, a sports brand often linked with Curry, along with trendy casual attire, similar to their real-life NBA counterparts.

Dillihay pointed out that basketball is deeply intertwined with popular culture, occupying a unique position where it overlaps with music, style, technology, and the arts.”

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“According to Dillihay, basketball isn’t just a sport; it’s part of mainstream culture, as it connects with areas like music, fashion, technology, and art.

In this movie, McLaughlin is accompanied by an illustrious cast that includes Gabrielle Union, who’s famous for “Bring it On” and “The Proud Family,” and happens to be married to NBA legend Dwayne Wade. She portrays Jett Fillmore, a legendary black leopard from the Thorns team who’s been in the league for two decades but hasn’t yet won a championship. NBA champion and film producer Curry lends his voice to Lenny Williamson, a giraffe player on the squad. Nicola Coughlan, known for “Bridgerton” and “Derry Girls,” voices Olivia Burke, an ostrich team member. Comic and “Big Mouth” co-creator Nick Kroll voices Modo Olachenko, a fire-breathing komodo dragon, and David Harbour (“Stranger Things,” “Zoopocalypse”) takes on the role of the powerful rhino Archie Everhardt.

Among other significant characters, we find Florence Everson, the Thorns’ owner, portrayed by Jenifer Lewis, and their dependable coach, Dennis, voiced by Patton Oswalt. The antagonistic role, occupied by MVP Mane Attraction, who resists Will’s involvement in the league, is yet to be filled with an actor or actress.

In the movie’s main plot, the fictional sport called Roarball mirrors the pace and elegance of professional basketball, featuring mixed-gender teams, arenas themed around various biomes, and rough physical play. Yet, Roarball is significantly more perilous and hazardous than basketball, as the courts themselves are not static but transform dynamically during matches. Courts can shift in ways unique to each game, with volcanic ones cracking and erupting, jungle arenas growing and mutating, and ice stadiums shattering and turning into rushing rivers.

To make the in-game action in the film more realistic, they’ve sought advice from Andre Iguodala, a former teammate of Curry at the Golden State Warriors and NBA Finals MVP, regarding gameplay mechanics. Dominique Dawson, a live-action costume designer, adds a unique style to the characters through her designs. The artwork for the characters is by Eran Alboher, while Emily Morgan, known for her popular reinterpretations of actual sports logos, handled the team branding.

Multiple unfinished video clips were passed along to a packed theater. In the first, we find Will rehearsing solo at his neighborhood basketball court, only to be suddenly chased away by a larger group of animals. Subsequently, a short duel between Will and rising basketball sensation Mane Attraction is presented. The significance of this encounter is highlighted in the third clip, as the proprietor of the Thorns team becomes intrigued upon watching an online video of the match and subsequently approaches the boy.

In the fourth segment, the star of Thorns, Jett, discovers Will while tuning into a sports news broadcast. This sets up the fifth and last clip for the day, a press conference introducing Will to the media. If the wit and vibrant animation seen in the initial scenes are any indication, Sony might be looking at another successful movie.

At the conclusion of the Annecy presentation, Stephen Curry, the producer, made an appearance via video. Despite his regret over not being physically present, he expressed his hope that everyone had appreciated what they’d seen from GOAT. He promised there was much more to come, and when the movie is completed, it will be unlike anything you’ve ever witnessed before. With that, he inspired the audience, each receiving a GOAT foam claw, by leading them in the Vineland Thorns’ team chant: “Roots Run Deep!

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2025-06-09 15:46