By Fred Topel | Image property of 20th Century Fox.
Though his spastic comedy seems well suited for it, Jim Carrey never did an animated film before Horton Hears a Who. He almost did Over the Hedge but dropped out. Now with the freedom to say anything and let other people draw it (or compute it), Carrey loved doing an animated film.
Jim Carrey Talks Horton Hears a Who!
"That's the great thing about this, is that you're surrounded by artists who are just as creative, or more so, than you are," said Carrey. "I love being handled by nerds. It's fantastic, man. Just to spew something out, and then have somebody put wings on it. It's fantastic. It's a wonderful thing."
Carrey plays the title character, an elephant who hears Whoville going on inside a speck of dust. Of course, he went totally method. "Well, myself, I've thought of peanuts, peanuts on my breath. I figured I have the sweet smell of peanuts on my breath all the time."
Actually, Carrey turned Horton into the anti-elephant. "I wanted to be the type of elephant that didn't realize that he was enormous and bulky. He was lighter, light as a feather as he puts it. He was like a dancer. He was in his head. He's not bigger than anybody else. That's kind of where I wanted to come with that character. Maybe it's an inferiority complex, I don't know, but he doesn't feel like he's bigger. He could do a lot of damage if he wanted to, but he doesn't feel like he has that power. He feels equal to everybody."
Horton Hears a Who!
Horton Hears a Who!
Horton Hears a Who!
The film's themes of worlds within worlds and the equal value of smaller worlds than yours resonates deeply with the spiritual Carrey. He may be just a speck to someone else. "There's no question about it. That's how I feel. Honestly. I'm an interesting speck. But that's how I've always thought, in those terms."
Horton is Carrey's second Dr. Seuss film. Both times he was the first choice of Audrey Geisel, the author's widow. "I was really honored that it was the first thing out of her mouth when they come to her with Horton, 'Can you get Jim Carey?' So I feel really honored that she wants me to be a part of the legacy. I just feel wonderful that two of these projects have come my way. I'm such a fan of Dr. Seuss so it's a great thing. It's a great thing."
Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! opens to theatres on March 14th.
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