IndieWire — February 18, 2022
‘The Cuphead Show!’: How the Netflix Animated Series Creates a Wild, Retro-Themed Ride

Boasting a vintage 1930s 2D visual style and packed with wacky antics, “The Cuphead Show!” is the latest addition to Netflix’s burgeoning animation slate. The 12-episode series, based on the hugely popular run-and-gun game from Studio MDHR, follows the adventures of brothers Cuphead and Mugman as they hop out of the frying pan and into the fire only to land on their feet ready for more high-octane escapades.

The reckless and impulsive Cuphead, voiced by Tru Valentino, is tempered somewhat by his cautious and slightly neurotic brother Mugman (Frank Todaro), while Elder Kettle (Joe Hanna) is the patient guardian who ensures order in their snug little cottage on Inkwell Isle. Luke Millington-Drake voices the duo’s nemesis, The Devil, with Wayne Brady pitching in as the voice of the Cab Calloway–styled big band leader King Dice, and Grey Griffin as the noir-inflected Ms. Chalice.

Now streaming on Netflix, “The Cuphead Show!” is executive produced by Dave Wasson (“Time Squad”) alongside “Cuphead” creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer. The animation is provided by Lighthouse Studios, the Kilkenny, Ireland-based 2D animation studio co-owned by Mercury Filmworks and Tomm Moore’s Cartoon Saloon (which has the Nora Twomey feature “My Father’s Dragon” with Netflix this year).

The retro, hand-drawn visuals for which the game is known channel classic Fleischer cartoons and Disney’s “Silly Symphonies,” complete with wobbly, “rubber hose” arms and legs and even dancing skeletons. The careful observer will note a bevy of vintage touches, including film grain and other artifacts. (Read full story…)