VARIOUS: London premiere transformed into children's winter paradise for 'Happy Feet Two'

Record ID: 220650

  • Title: VARIOUS: London premiere transformed into children's winter paradise for 'Happy Feet Two'
  • Date: 22nd November 2011
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 20, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS WINTER WONDERLAND PARTY ELIJAH WOOD WALKS INTO PARTY
  • Embargoed: 7th December 2011 12:00
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  • Reuters ID: LVA5AF1C6TZEU3D84XF5AI5IWC82
  • Story Text: London's Connaught rooms were transformed into a icy children's fairytale on Sunday (November 20) for the premiere of 'Happy Feet Two'.
    The delighted young guests cosied up to life-sized stuffed penguins, feasted on white chocolate oozing from a fountain and got to make their own penguin-themed biscuits and ice creams.
    The sugary distractions allowed some of the film's stars to slip into the party almost unnoticed.
    Speaking to Reuters Television, Robin Williams, revealed his inspiration for the voices of the two characters he plays in the films - Ramon and Lovelace.
    "Just look at them - one is tiny and hispanic and very Latino and the other is big and black. I based him on a guy in America named Al Sharpton, he's like a politician preacher guy. For me it's just fun. It's a blast cause we get to work in the same room as everybody else."
    Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara plays a sassy penguin named Carmen. "It was a Latin penguin. A sexy hot Latin penguin, so it was very easy for me", she told Reuters Television.
    Directed by George Miller, the sequel to "Happy Feet," the Academy Award-winning animated smash hit, returns audiences to the magnificent landscape of Antarctica in 3D.
    In the film, Mumble, The Master of Tap, (Elijah Wood) has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven-a penguin who can fly. Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model. But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces.
    Speaking to Reuters, Elijah Wood said all the cast got to perform together in one room, which made them feel part of the creative process.
    "It's very gratifying, it's a very rewarding thing to record - you know we recorded everything over the course of a month and then a few different sessions peppered over the two years but then ultimately, two years passed and you see the entire thing come to life before your eyes, it's amazing."
    The voices of Hollywood leading men Brad Pitt and Matt Damon also feature - as krills called Bill and Will.
    Director George Miller revealed securing them for the roles was easy, thanks to some highly influential people.
    "It was their kids who insisted they do the movie. We said would you like to do the movie and they said the kids insisted we do it."
    'Happy Feet Two' will be released in 3D cinemas nation-wide December 2.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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