The latest episode of Rick and Morty showcases the exciting cameo appearances of acclaimed directors Zack Snyder and James Gunn, who both provide their voices to portray… themselves. This unique crossover not only highlights their personalities but also adds an interesting layer to the beloved animated series, making it a must-see for fans of both the show and the filmmakers.
“They were enthusiastic participants,“ Rick and Morty executive producer Scott Marder shared with Variety. “Both of them hinted that this is their go-to show during their downtime, so they were genuinely excited to join our universe. There was absolutely no resistance or hesitance from them. Instead, they found everything we presented to them hilarious. Honestly, we could have included even more playful jabs and absurdities, but they simply laughed them off.”“
The episode titled Ricker Than Fiction revolves around Rick and Morty as they express their dissatisfaction with the creative trajectory of the Maximum Velocitree movie franchise. Their journey takes them to the iconic Warner Bros. lot, where they confront James Gunn. In a later scene, Zack Snyder provides Gunn with advice after previewing the latest cut of Superman: “He’s the Man of Steel, not the Man of Dialogue. Include more scenes of him delivering punches!“
“Our approach was, if we’re creating a movie to satirize Hollywood, we felt it was essential to include our higher-ups,” Marder explained. “We began contemplating who from Warner Bros. would make an ideal antagonist? James Gunn emerged as a perfect choice. We were all fairly certain that when Schrab reached out to him, he would be fully immersed in ‘Superman.’ However, not only did he respond with an enthusiastic yes right away, but he also escalated it within Warner Bros. the same day. Our production team was astonished, asking, ‘How is it that James Gunn and Zaslav, among others, already knew about this episode?’ We were surprised by how swiftly everything progressed.“
Gunn and Snyder recorded their lines in succession and even snapped a picture together, which quickly went viral as fans speculated about their meeting. “I’m grateful that we managed to keep the details under wraps until now,” Marder remarked. “We’re extremely vigilant here, akin to Fort Knox. Everything that is released to the public is scrutinized and approved by us because fans analyze every detail meticulously, almost like examining a film frame by frame.“
Both Zack Snyder and James Gunn are avid admirers of the animated series, with Snyder particularly eager to return for another collaboration. “I direct all the vocal performances, so I took the lead with both of these talented filmmakers. After recording, Snyder left but returned with the enthusiasm of a fan, expressing, ‘I’m willing to do anything for the show. Just give me a line or a tag,’” Marder shared. “It was incredibly refreshing to witness such passion from him.”
