It seems that Walt Disney Studios has started to capitalize the success of popular YouTube stars, as Dan Howell (danisnotonfire) and Phil Lester (AmazingPhil) are set to have cameo roles in the UK release of Disney’s Big Hero 6.
Dan and Phil will play the parts of “Male Technician 1 and 2”, as confirmed when Disney UK and the YouTubers themselves took to Twitter to spread the word.
Yes, its official! @danisnotonfire & @AmazingPhil have cameo voice roles in the UK cinema release of Big Hero 6! pic.twitter.com/K4HLTWu61w
— Disney UK (@Disney_UK) January 5, 2015
yes anyone seeing Big Hero 6 at cinemas in the UK can prepare for our epic film debuts as MALE TECHNICIAN 1 & 2! (i’m expecting Oscar buzz) — Dan Howell (@danisnotonfire) January 5, 2015
Dan and I can reveal we have cameo roles in Big Hero 6 at UK cinemas! A behind the scenes video is coming soon
To further promote the cameo, Phil took to his YouTube and discussed the news there. Also, Disney UK released a behind-the-scenes video of the duo in the recording studio, which you can check out below.
Disney’s decision to make room for Dan and Phil’s cameo in the UK release is interesting. It shows the immense power of popular YouTubers and how the tables have turned when it comes to marketing films. This could lead to a shift from targeting big pop culture names to perhaps smaller, but equally influential YouTubers in marketing and casting animated films. Now, is it likely to see a YouTuber cast as a lead in a film? Not likely. But who’s to say what the next 10 years will bring.
Big Hero 6 has been released in some international markets already, but will be released in the UK on January 30.
What do you think about Dan and Phil’s new roles in the UK release of Big Hero 6?
User-submitted post by Ella.