Fox has announced new voice cast additions to its upcoming animated feature Rio 2, the sequel to director Carlos Saldanha’s well-received 2011 feature. The pic, which is slated for an April 14, 2014 release will feature the voices of original cast members Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jamie Fox and Will.i.am. The new outing will also include the contributions of Andy Garcia, Kirstin Chenoweth, Bruno Mars and NBC’s Today Show anchor Natalie Morales.
Animated by Blue Sky Studios, the sequel follows the life of Blu (Eisenberg) and Jewell (Hathaway) and their three kids and the adventures they have once Jewel decides to raise the chicks in the Amazon as free birds rather than in their current domesticated environment.
The narrative will also touch upon the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Rio next year. Grammy winner Janelle Monae will also voice a character and contribute music to the sequel.
