TORONTO – Billy Crystal has no shortage of memorable and iconic roles that have coloured his lengthy career, but it’s his work portraying a one-eyed, miniature green monster that ranks No. 1 for the comic legend.
Crystal is back on the big screen in animated form, reprising his role as the voice of Mike Wazowski in Monsters University, the prequel to the 2001 hit Monsters, Inc.
“I love this guy. I actually think that this is the most, my most favourite character I’ve ever played in anything,” he said Wednesday during a press day in support of the new film.
“I love his personality. I love that he stands up for himself. I love that he’s forever positive. I love that when something gets in his way he either goes over it, around it or through it and somehow comes out the other side,” added the quick-witted comic, the words tumbling out in rapid-fire succession.
“I love that he’s a leader of monsters. I love that he has a great sense of humour, and I love that he stands up for himself and I love that he’s cranky, too. I think that’s great.”
Monsters University shows Mike as a college student seeking to fulfil a long-held dream of being a professional Scarer by enrolling in MU’s elite Scare Program.
Many are quick to dismiss the diminutive Mike, but the pint-sized monster holds steadfast to his sense of self-belief — a key character attribute that parallels Crystal’s own approach to life.
“I have that same kind of drive. I think you have to,” said the 65-year-old Crystal.
“Whatever you pursue, you believe in yourself. Otherwise, you’re cooked. If you don’t believe in yourself, someone’s going to sense that you don’t and they’re not going to hire you or accept you at school or be a boyfriend or a girlfriend. I think (Mike’s) got a great confidence about himself.”
Monsters University sees Crystal re-team with John Goodman, the voice of towering, shaggy, spotted monster James P. Sullivan. While voice work is typically a solitary process, the pair recorded together.
Crystal said he only recently became aware of some of the other stars who lent their voices to the film, including Oscar winner Helen Mirren, comic actors Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) and Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Canadian talents Dave Foley and Nathan Fillion, whom Crystal called “terrific” in the film.
Crystal doesn’t rule out the possibility of priming his pipes for another Monsters instalment in the future.
“I think, you know, as time goes by, if it’s another 11 years till the next one, they’ll be in assisted living,” Crystal joked. “They’ll be just taking care of each other.”
Monsters University opens on Friday.
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