‘Detective Pikachu’ would have been so much better with Danny DeVito
By Jessica Berget, Opinions Editor
On May 10, Pokémon fans all around were either ecstatic or dreaded the release of Pokémon Detective Pikachu. However, I think if more fans had known that Danny DeVito was considered for the voice of Pikachu, the release of the film would have much more unpleasant. Ryan Reynolds may have done a good job with the role but compared with DeVito I think it’s obvious who would have played the better Pokémon.
Indeed, DeVito was considered for the role of the adorable Pokémon detective, in large part because an online petition calling for DeVito to voice the character garnered about 50,000 signatures. In fact, test footage with his voice was even made by the filmmakers to see if he would be a good fit because of the internet’s response.
Watching the film myself, I couldn’t help but think how much better the movie would have been had DeVito voiced the starring role. A movie about an adorable Pokémon who solves crime with a sassy and crude demeanor is the exact role DeVito was born to play. I think it was a waste to make the movie and not have him be in it. If you ask me, Ryan Reynolds’ voice was too neutral and flat to be captivating or humorous in this role. Experiencing the movie with the knowledge that DeVito could have been Pikachu instead left a Danny DeVito-sized hole in my heart that will never be filled.
I at least hoped that although DeVito didn’t get this role, there might be a future Pokémon movie he could still be in. Unfortunately, that day may never come. Some Pokémon fans may be disheartened to know that, at least as of three years ago, DeVito didn’t even know what Pokémon was, suggesting that he will probably never voice any adorable Pokémon in any future movies. When asked about the possibility at an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia special event in 2016, he responded, “What the fuck is Pokémon?”
With no Danny DeVito Pokémon movies on our horizon, the only thing we can find comfort in is the edited Pokémon Detective Pikachu trailers with DeVito’s voice dubbed over on YouTube.
