Maya Rudolph will play Smiler in Sony’s “Emoji Movie,” joining “Office Christmas Party” star T.J. Miller and “Star Trek” icon Patrick Stewart in the animated comedy.
Stewart was thought to have provided the voice of the Poop emoji in an earlier trailer, and that casting was also confirmed on Wednesday.
Miller stars as Gene, the only emoji in Textopolis capable of multiple facial expressions. In a bid to become “normal,” he teams up with best friend Hi-5 and “talented code breaker” Jailbreak as they travel through the world of apps to find the elusive code that will make Gene like the other emoji. But when they confront a much graver danger, they have to save their digital universe before it disappears into cyberspace.
Jennifer Coolidge has been cast as Gene’s mother, Mary Meh, while comedian Steven Wright plays Gene’s father, Mel Meh. Jake T. Austin has also been confirmed as Alex. Previously confirmed cast members also include James Corden as Hi-5 and Ilana Glazer as Jailbreak.
Tony Leondis directed the “Emoji Movie,” which was produced by Michelle Raimo Kouyate, and written by Tony Leondis & Eric Siegel and Mike White. Sony Pictures Imageworks handled the digital animation.
The “Emoji Movie” is set to hit theaters Aug. 4.