Key Takeaways:
• Brad Bird, known for creating legendary animated films, lent his voice for Edna Mode in The Incredibles and Incredibles 2.
• Initially, the director recorded scratch voices for various characters including Edna Mode.
• Bird got the role of Edna Mode when Lily Tomlin, the actress initially asked for the role, heard Bird’s voice and said only he could provide that performance.
• Brad Bird has admitted to sharing some personality traits with Edna Mode.
• Pixar is reportedly developing a third installment of The Incredibles.
The Accidental Casting of Brad Bird as Edna Mode
Starting his career with animated classics such as The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille, Brad Bird has created some of the most memorable animated movies. Over the years, his movies have amassed a cult following among animation fans. Interestingly, Bird also became a much-loved voice actor when he voiced the character of Edna Mode in The Incredibles.
Edna Mode, the superhero fashion designer from The Incredibles is considered one of the most memorable Pixar characters. Despite her brief roles in both installments, Edna has gained a unique fan following with her quirky looks and bold choice of words.
How the Director Ended Up Voicing Edna Mode
According to Bird, while working on The Incredibles, he provided scratch voices for Edna Mode and Bob Parr. These are temporary voice tracks used to help animators develop characters before the official soundtrack is recorded.
Famed director of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Bird originally wanted veteran actress Lily Tomlin to perform the role. However, after hearing the scratch voices, Tomlin believed that no one but Bird could deliver that performance. This sentiment was also echoed by The Incredibles story supervisor, Mark Andrews.
Personality Traits Shared with Edna Mode
In an interview with the New York Post, Bird admitted to sharing some personality traits with Edna Mode. The character was designed to be an eccentric half-German, half-Japanese fashion designer, and Bird confessed that he feels like Edna at his most confident.
Edna Mode – the Memorable Pixar Character
Such was the popularity of the character that Edna Mode appeared on the 2005 Oscar stage to present the award for Best Costume Designer with Pierce Brosnan. Edna also got her own short film, Auntie Edna, released after the 2018 sequel, Incredibles 2.
The Future for The Incredibles Franchise
The Incredibles is a highly acclaimed film from Pixar and Disney. The 2018 sequel also recorded significant success. This popularity has led to Bloomberg’s reports of Pixar developing a third installment in the film series.
If true, fans are likely to be excited about the news of The Incredibles 3. However, it carries its own risks. The makers must ensure it is a worthy sequel and not just an attempt to capitalize on the success of the previous two movies.
In conclusion, Brad Bird’s contribution to the world of animation is significant. The Incredibles and its sequel elevated his career, and his accidental role as Edna Mode boosted his popularity to new levels. His influence will continue to be felt in the industry, especially if a third Incredibles film is on the cards. You can catch The Incredibles 1 and 2 on Disney+.
