The Bad Guys

The Bad Guys is a 2022 American computer-animated heist crime comedy film based on the children's book series of the same name. It is produced by Dreamworks Animation, distributed by Universal Pictures, and directed by directed by Pierre Perifel (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Etan Cohen and Hilary. It stars the voices of Sam Rockwell, Zazie Beetz, Jim Carrey, LeBron James, Diego Luna, Mindy Kaling, Jeremy Irons, Chris Pine, Jane Lynch, Peter Cullen and Garry Chalk. Aaron Blabey, the author of The Bad Guys series, serves as an executive producer of the film.

The Bad Guys had its world premiere at the Ace Hotel Los Angeles on April 12, 2022. It began its theatrical release in several international markets, starting on March 16, 2022 in Israel. It was later released in the United States on April 22 and received positive reviews from critics.

A second movie, The Bad Guys 2, is planned to be released August 1, 2025.

Plot

A group of criminal animals, consisting of Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Shark, and Mr. Piranha, attempt to do good deeds in order to avoid prison time, while a new villain emerges.

Voice cast

The titular group of animals are voiced by Sam Rockwell (Mr. Wolf), Zazie Beetz (Diane Foxington), Jim Carrey (Mr. Snake), Diego Luna (Mr. Piranha), Mindy Kaling (Ms. Tarantula), LeBron James (Mr. Shark), and Jeremy Irons (Professor Marmalade).

• Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf, a pickpocket gray wolf and the leader of the "Bad Guys" gang.
• Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington / "The Crimson Paw", a red fox governor, later revealed to be a former lady thief and Proteus's fiancé, and Mr. Wolf's love interest.
• Chris Pine as Prince Proteus of Syracuse, Mr. Wolf's noble childhood-friend and Diane's fiancé.
• Jim Carrey as Mr. Snake, a sarcastic safe-cracking Eastern brown snake and Mr. Wolf's second-in-command and best friend.
• Diego Luna as Mr. Piranha, a Bolivian red-bellied piranha, the short-fused "muscle", and the youngest of the gang.
• LeBron James as Mr. Shark, a childish and sensitive master-of-disguise great white shark.
• Mindy Kaling as Ms. Tarantula, a sharp-tongued, equally sarcastic expert hacking redknee tarantula also known as "Webs" or "Mata Hairy".
• Jeremy Irons as Prof. Rupert Marmalade IV, a pompous guinea pig philanthropist who suggests that Mr. Wolf's group start doing "good deeds" while having a evil plan of his own.
  • Barbara Goodson as an old woman that Mr. Wolf intended to pickpocket, she was revealed as an android built by Marmalade.
• Jane Lynch as Tiffany Fluffit, a local news reporter.
• Peter Cullen as Misty Luggins, the hot-tempered human chief of police.
• Garry Chalk as King Dymas of Syracuse, Proteus' father.
• Dina Morrone as:
  • Museum Announcer
  • Diane Foxington's A.I. Assistant.
• Michael Godere as:
  • Delivery Driver
  • Museum Guest #1
• Kelly Cooney as:
  • Prison Guard #1
  • Gala Guest #1
• Walt Dohrn as:
  • Scientist
  • Gala Guest #3
• David P. Smith as:
  • Prison Guard #2
  • Gala Guest #2
  • Protestor
• John Venzon as:
  • Museum Guest #2
  • Panicked Cop
• Jesse Averna as Prison Guard #3

Sequel

Main article: The Bad Guys 2

In April 2022, after the film was released, Perifel said that he would love to do a sequel.