Charles Latre is back in the voice booth with a fresh project, lending his talents to the new film A Samurai Hero: The Legend of Hank. The animation, brought to life under the direction of Rob Minkoff, nods to the classic western vibe while leaning into a late-night joke about heroism. Latre notes that giving voice to the bad guys is often the most enjoyable part of the job, a sentiment he shares in conversations with EFE.
Latre, born in Castellón in 1979, reflects that dubbing is not only thrilling but also a substantial challenge. He explains that shaping a character through voice work requires aligning vocal expression with what unfolds on screen. The process remains a lasting imprint, something that stays with an artist long after the final take. This project promises to be both a fun exercise and a durable addition to Latre’s career archive, a reminder of the craft that endures beyond a single film cycle.
The narrative unfolds in feudal Japan and draws inspiration from one of Mel Brooks’ best known works, the comedic western Hot Saddle s (1974). The film centers on Hank, a dog who dreams of becoming a samurai but finds himself facing a dire fate when he ends up in a feline-dominated land and is sentenced to execution. In the shadows of this tale, Ika Chu, a high-ranking official, seeks the Shogun’s throne and aims to expand his opulent palace. His ambition turns toward crushing the village of Kakamucho, a modest town near his stronghold.
To mask his sinister plot, Ika Chu engineers Hank’s ascent as the region’s new samurai. The plan sows discord and chaos, complicating life for both humans and animals in a land that has banned dogs. The film presents a mix of danger and humor as characters navigate loyalty, power, and identity within a world that blends samurai honor with cartoon mischief.
Although some may assume this is a children’s cartoon at first glance, the movie works on multiple levels. It layers cinematic references and sly humor that resonate with adults as well as younger viewers. The production team crafted a world that invites multiple audiences to engage, offering clever nods for grown-ups while remaining accessible to younger fans.
Like Latre’s previous work, the project highlights how animated cinema is evolving to include a broader adult audience without losing its child-friendly core. The creator notes that families will still enjoy the film together, yet there are themes and jokes that resonate with parents and older friends who attend with them. This balance makes the film suitable for a family night and a conversation starter for a broader audience.
Latre returns to a familiar terrain: the art of dubbing. His most recent notable work before this project was in 2018, when he voiced three characters in the animated film Bikes, directed by Manuel J. García. The collaboration with Sankaya remains a highlight, and Latre expresses enthusiasm for voicing diverse roles. He mentions working alongside legendary performers such as Robin Williams and Bill Murray in the past, and he laughs at the idea of meeting Ricky Gervais, who voices Ika Chu in the English version, at a world premiere. The potential for such a meeting speaks to the close connections often formed in the animation industry and the lifelong impact of this form of performance.
Across Latre’s career, he has contributed his voice to more than twenty films as a dubbing actor. His range spans villains and heroes alike, animals, people, and even inanimate objects. The dubbing world, he notes with a smile, offers no limit to the imagination or the challenges that come with giving life to a character through sound alone.
He adds that there is a personal ambition behind his work: after years in animation, Latre longs to inhabit a live-action role and test his presence outside the voice booth. The idea of portraying a flesh-and-blood character excites him, presenting a new kind of professional challenge and a fresh way to connect with audiences. The humor, timing, and tone that Latre has cultivated in animation could translate into a bold new venture on screen. The pursuit of this next step keeps the performer hungry for the next opportunity and ready to bring another unforgettable character to life.