Hulu released the first trailer for Michael Cusack's Koala Man. Not only do viewers hear Hugh Jackman's voice acting, but they also hear a familiar comedic tone to that of Justin Roiland's Rick and Morty.
Koala Man was greenlit by Hulu in 2021, but it was news of Jackman's addition to the cast and Roiland's role as an executive producer that had many people turn their eyes to the show. Its creator Cusack stars as the eponymous Koala Man, a middle-aged suburban dad with a not-so-secret superhero identity out to fight crime. The concept for the show was first showcased in the Australian anthology series Fresh Blood in 2018.
As confirmed by Hulu's preview, all eight episodes of Koala Man season one will be available on the streaming service starting January 9, 2023, and it’s clear what kind of bizarre humor Cusack is gunning for. Kevin, a.k.a. Koala Man, is just an average Joe but a well “below average superhero,” as the series puts it. His inadequacy and lack of any real superpowers will see him face tough odds to fight off the very real human and cosmic enemies that threaten his beloved Dapto.
Cusack's past creations are also adult animation series, with Smiling Friends and YOLO: Crystal Fantasy still running in Adult Swim. Jackman plays Big Greg, the head of the Dapto Town Council, who often receives credit for Koala Man's exploits. The rest of the cast is rounded out by Sarah Snook, Dami Lardner, and Natalia Tran voicing members of Kevin's family. Cameron Hales, Nisrtine Amine, and Hugo Weaving play villains with colorful names, such as Egyptian Mummy, King Emudues, and Cum Man.
From the looks of it, talking kangaroos included, Cusack, wants the series to feature plenty of Australian flavor and cultural references, so having Jackman on board is just another reason that makes Koala Man worth checking out. Thanks to his reputation from Rick and Morty, Roiland's name has become almost synonymous with quality, especially now that High On Life has recaptured that success in the world of video games.
Rick and Morty is on a mid-season break, but judging from the Mad Max type of montage seen in the trailer, Koala Man could come close to matching the show's signature humor.
Koala Man will be available on Hulu starting January 9, 2023.
Source: Hulu | YouTube