Summary

Rick and Morty season seven brings a surprise for fans as Mr. Poopybutthole returns with a new voice after Justin Roiland’s departure from Adult Swim. New voices Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden took on the primary roles of Rick and Morty, but the extensive workload led to John Allen voicing Mr. Poopybutthole. The introduction of John Allen adds a fresh twist to the show and keeps fans hooked as Rick and Morty continues to deliver unexpected surprises.

Rick and Morty offers a continuous roller coaster of antics and surprises. Fans were geared up for season seven, expecting the usual wild adventures and multidimensional mayhem. However, they were in for a surprise not only in the story arc but also behind the microphone. The memorable Mr. Poopybutthole, a quirky side character with a surprisingly resonant emotional connection with fans, is back. But something has changed – his voice.

The character in the Rick and Morty season opener returned with a noticeably different sound. While Justin Roiland’s unique vocal performance had become synonymous with many characters in the series, including the leading duo, his recent separation from Adult Swim meant that a change was inevitable.

The show’s massive fanbase knows Roiland’s distinct cadence. Beyond the headline-grabbing Rick and Morty, several beloved side characters also bore his vocal signature. So when the curtains were pulled on the next act of this animated series, many were curious: who would take up the mantle? As the credits rolled, the mystery unraveled. The man giving voice to Mr. Poopybutthole this season is none other than John Allen.

Now, for those who were tracking the developments behind the scenes, season seven marked the debut of Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden as the new voices of Rick Sanchez and Morty respectively. With Roiland’s exit, these two had mammoth shoes to fill. Given the weight of their primary roles, many speculated whether either of them would also voice the myriad of side characters previously portrayed by Roiland.

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Rick and Morty Delivers Surprises Both On & Off-Screen
Adult Swim

However, a candid interview with showrunner Scott Marder in The Hollywood Reporter brought clarity. Marder indicated that although the team was open to letting Cardoni and Belden voice the smaller characters, it was a massive undertaking. The increased workload, especially given the particular prominence of Mr. Poopybutthole in the recent episodes, would have been an excessive burden on the duo. Marder shared:

“In the crunch we were in, it was a lot to ask either of them to fully take on Poopy as well because it’s the most expanded role Poopy has had.”

It is then that John Allen entered the scene, proving to be the exact fit the team needed for the character. His involvement provided some much-needed breathing room for Cardoni and Belden. Marder elaborated on this decision, saying:

“John Allen, who came in late in the game, took pressure off Ian and Harry, who were both working on Poopy, but it felt like too much for either of them to be doing him in an episode of the show that they had to completely re-do.”

With Allen’s introduction, Rick and Morty continues its vibrant tradition of unexpected turns and surprises. As fans adapt to the new voices behind their favorite characters, they’re reminded of the show’s enduring charm: it’s always unpredictable. The shift in vocal dynamics provides a fresh layer of intrigue to an already compelling narrative, ensuring that fans remain hooked for episodes to come. The show, never ordinary, now embraces voices with a fresh twist.