A conversation with Jack McBrayer about voicing Fix it Felix Jr
Fix it Felix Jr was one of my favorite characters in Wreck it Ralph. He was a happy go lucky guy who always tried to have a positive attitude. I kind of wish he could have had a bigger part in Ralph Breaks the Internet. I was lucky to be able to ask Jack McBrayer, the voice of Fix it Felix Jr a few questions and here is what he had to say.
So how did you get into voice acting?
Jack McBrayer: It really was a happy accident. I think people started becoming aware of my work through 30 Rock. I think some of the first projects I got were really based on the character that I played. An upbeat, cheerful optimistic character. One of the first ones might have been on Phineas and Ferb. From there it was a string or more and more bit parts that fortunately or unfortunately all sound very much like my natural voice.
What do you like most about it?
Jack McBrayer: I enjoy the freedom that you have. It is definitely a different muscle that acting for live action. I didn’t know what to expect when I first started doing the voice acting. I was sitting there moving my arms and jumping up and down. A couple of times the director’s would be like ‘Okay, we can hear you breathing and we can hear you panting too good. Your shirt is ruffling like crazy. Just relax and say the line.’ So there was a bit of a learning curve. But through doing it time and time again and having different directors to work with you just find the way that works for you. It has been really fun!
What do you enjoy most about voicing Fix it Felix Jr?
Jack McBrayer: Well, I like him as a character. That always makes it so much easier for me. Not that I only play characters that I like. But it makes it so much easier. This little guy, he means well and is always charmed too. Sometimes I see parts of me in there. Like let me fix what’s wrong, maybe that is middle child syndrome or something like that. I can definitely relate to a guy who just wants things to work out and sometimes get misguided in that.
Were you excited to come back for Ralph Breaks the Internet?
Jack McBrayer: Oh, absolutely. Didn’t even have to ask me twice. The first go around was so fun. What a lovely surprise to see how the first one was so well received. I was like anything you need from me, I am happy to do. So when they said there was going to be a second one I was thrilled to get back in the booth with all of those guys. Much of my story in Ralph Breaks the Internet is with Jane Lynch who I would work with her any day of the week. It was a no brainer.
Were there any challenges that came up in voicing this character?
Jack McBrayer: I was comfortable in voicing the character of Felix. Now I ruined a few takes both with John C Reilly and Jane Lynch though. Sometimes you just laugh. You have these immensely talented individuals that you are playing opposite and they make you laugh. They are funny, like liquid funny. They can’t help it. So that was a challenge. But that is a good thing about voice acting, you just edit it out. Like okay we won’t use that take. I just don’t want to waste peoples time.
How has your character grown and evolved since the first movie?
Jack McBrayer: Well, we see him in the second film becoming a parent with his lovely Sergeant Calhoun. Again being someone who thinks they have the solution and sometimes life throws you a curve ball. In the way of having fifteen foster children and realizing he will need more help than he thought he did. That is often just a life lesson, a human lesson. Sometimes you just gotta ask for help. Sometimes you are overwhelmed and that’s okay. Find the help.
Why do you think people should get this film on Blu-Ray?
Jack McBrayer: Well for repeat viewings. The lessons are evergreen. Of course we want people to just watch them and watch them. I love having friends who have children who say ‘I have seen that movie at least 27 times’. I am like ‘Oh yeah? Sorry’ and they are like ‘No No No, we love it’. So that is always nice to hear. And if I am being completely honest one of my favorite things to do for friends is leaving their kids a voicemail for their birthday saying ‘Hi, this is Fix it Felix from Wreck it Ralph’.
Ralph Breaks the Internet is available now on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital. You can follow this movie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.