Who provides the voice of Pikachu in the 2019 "Pokémon: Detective Pikachu" movie?

In the 2019 live-action film "Pokémon (Review): Detective Pikachu," the iconic electric-type Pokémon takes on a surprising new persona as a wise-cracking, coffee-addicted detective. This unique iteration of Pikachu, who can communicate in full sentences that only his human partner Tim Goodman can understand, is brought to life by the distinct voice of actor Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds not only lent his vocal talents but also performed motion capture for the character, allowing his expressions and mannerisms to be incorporated into the CGI Pikachu.

The casting of Ryan Reynolds brought a fresh and unexpected dynamic to the beloved Pokémon. Known for his quick wit and sarcastic humor in roles like Deadpool, Reynolds infused Detective Pikachu with a similarly engaging and often humorous personality. This was a deliberate choice by the filmmakers, who reportedly encouraged Reynolds to "just kind of be Ryan Reynolds" in the role. This contrasts sharply with the traditional portrayal of Pikachu, who typically only vocalizes its name, "Pika Pika," a sound still heard by other characters in Ryme City in the movie.

Before Reynolds was cast, other prominent actors such as Danny DeVito, Dwayne Johnson, Mark Wahlberg, and Hugh Jackman were considered for the role. Ultimately, Reynolds' blend of charm and comedic timing proved to be a perfect fit for the amnesiac, deerstalker-wearing detective, helping to create an engaging and memorable character in the first-ever live-action Pokémon film. The movie, loosely based on the 2016 video game of the same name, follows Detective Pikachu and Tim as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of Tim's father.