by Actress Libe Barer, who portrayed Casey in the animated series, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, talked with The Direct about her experience filming new episodes of the program.
Though the main focus of the narrative is on Lunella Layfayette and Devil Dinosaur, it’s important to remember Casey, Moon Girl‘s best friend in the entire universe. To be honest, without her, Lunella probably could not do what she does.
[Producers of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Season 2 Discuss Marvel Easter Eggs & Lunella Changes]
Libe Barer, the actress of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaurs in Season 2
The voice of Lunella’s closest friend Casey, Libe Barer from Devil Dinosaur, spoke with Russ Milheim of The Direct in an exclusive interview on the just-released Season 2 and what makes the show unique.
One of the best things about the show is the vast quantity of profound and significant stories and lessons it conveys to its viewers.
Regarding the one that spoke to Barer the most, she said that she “really love[s] the depiction of the female friendship” and that Lunella and Casey are “learning to communicate healthily way:”
“You know, it’s interesting, well, on a more personal level, like, I think that I really love the depiction of the female friendship… and how to navigate the ups and downs… at that age, friendships are intense and very filled with emotion. And I think it’s the first time that you’re confronted with having your own needs in a relationship… and butting heads and learning how to communicate in a healthy way to get through conflict.”
The actress said, “I just rewatched ‘The Belly of the Beast’ episode,” referring to one of the new episodes for Season 2. She said she “was so sort of taken aback by how beautiful they handled that:”
” just rewatched, as the season comes out, I just rewatched ‘The Belly of the Beast’ episode, that’s where Casey and Lunella get into a fight and then wind up in Devil’s stomach. And I was like, it had been so long since we recorded it. And I was so taken aback by how beautifully they handled that and what a great example that sets for like young girls watching.”
She said, “I think so,” when asked if that episode of the program is her favorite. She also mentioned her Bar Mitzvah episode specifically:
“I think so… And in the last season, I loved my Bar Mitzvah episode. That’s always that’ll forever [have a] special place in my heart. Yeah.”
During Season 2, the actress was also able to contribute her voice to a few new songs, such as “Count on Friends” and “It’s OK.”
Barer said how the music recording process “was so fun” and how it was a part of “such a wonderful supportive environment:”
“It was so fun. And I sort of had forgotten that they were putting us in the actual mix-tape part of it. And watching it, it made my heart soar. But the recording was so fun. It’s such a wonderful supportive environment, and like, I used to sing, and I haven’t been doing it as–it wasn’t like the path that I took, but getting to do that and in this setting was very, very special.”
Although Libe Barer seldom records in the recording booth with other talented people, she did spend some time with Diamond White, which the actress said “makes a difference:”
“Yeah, oh my god, it makes such a difference. It’s so fun to play with Diamond in the booth. And it’s funny because we started recording–the show got picked up in 2020 in the depths of the lockdown, and so, we were recording from our respective [closets]. They sent us equipment, and I converted my closet into a recording studio, but we would Zoom and… I was in New York. She was in LA.”
Barer described how, while working with other performers in person, “you just find so much more life”
“And even though we were on opposite sides of the country, just getting to play together via Zoom just felt “like we were next to each other, and it was so special. And I think you just find so much more life… [and] also the creators encouraged us to ad-lib and find stuff and play. And I think that a lot of the magic that you see between Casey and Lunella comes from that very real live rapport that Diamond and I have when we record together.”
In response to a question about her most memorable problem in the film, the actress said that part of the complexity of a movie like Moon Girl is that you really “don’t know what things are going to look like:”
“It’s interesting because I think animation is its own thing. And it’s like a total playground. It’s challenging because you don’t know what things are going to look like. You don’t know what the other actors are going to be doing for the most part unless you’re lucky enough to get to record together like Diamond and I have been.”
Regarding the other characters they would encounter, she continued, “[they] don’t know what their reads are gonna be like:”
“But, you know, the other characters we interact with, we don’t know what their reads are gonna be like. It’s really cool, though, and what’s so exciting about it is that we get to lay the groundwork for what the animators will build on top of it. We’re just like, in our little boxes, pretending that we’re bouncing around the streets of New York with a dinosaur. When really we’re just we’re in these little boxes.”
Regarding Casey’s future as a character, Barer said she was curious to find out “what Casey is like on another planet:”
“So, I’m watching the show as it’s coming out now, too. And it’s interesting watching the things that I wasn’t [in]. You know, you read the scripts, but seeing it is something different. And I was so blown away by the first episode where Lunella and the Beyonder go travel in space and time, and I feel I want Casey [to join]. I want to see what Casey is like on another planet.”
To persuade people who aren’t sure about Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Barer gushed about how “there’s really nothing on TV like it” and how the program “sort of transcends the genre:”
“I think that there’s really nothing on TV like it. I think that despite how much you are into Marvel or animation or Disney or whatever, I think that this show sort of transcends the genre, any sort of categories that it falls into. It’s just like a really beautiful piece of art. And it’s like funny, and the stories are great. And there are great messages, and just, each episode is such a fun, fun ride. So I think if you haven’t watched it, you’re missing out.”
Regarding the potential for a third season, the actress didn’t hesitate to state bluntly that “[they] can’t say anything:”
“We can’t say anything [laughs]. All I can say is that I don’t know if we will be lucky enough to. I hope we are. I love doing the show. I think it’s so special and unique has such powerful messages, and is also just such a fun ride. I hope we get to keep doing it and making the show for a long, long time.”
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, the animated series based on the Marvel Comics characters, has captivated audiences with its unique blend of humor, adventure, and heart. As the show gears up for its highly anticipated second season, fans eagerly await new developments in the lives of Lunella Lafayette (Moon Girl) and her prehistoric partner, Devil Dinosaur.
Chapter 1: Embracing Lunella’s Journey
Libe Barer’s initial reaction to landing the role of Lunella Lafayette
The evolution of Luella’s character arc from Season 1 to Season 2
Barer’s approach to portraying Lunella’s intelligence, determination, and vulnerability
Chapter 2: Collaborating with the Creative Team
The collaborative process between voice actors, writers, and animators
Barer’s rapport with the show’s creators and fellow cast members
Balancing improvisation with staying true to the character’s essence
Chapter 3: Exploring New Adventures and Challenges
Teasing exciting plot developments and character dynamics in Season 2
Barer’s favorite moments and episodes from the upcoming season
The challenges of voicing a character in high-stakes action sequences and emotional scenes
Chapter 4: The Impact of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Reflecting on the show’s cultural significance and positive representation
Barer’s interactions with fans and the importance of diverse role models in media
The enduring legacy of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur in the Marvel Universe
Chapter 5: Personal Growth and Career Milestones
How working on Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur has influenced Barer’s artistic journey
Balancing voice acting with other creative projects and passions
Barer’s aspirations for the future and the lessons she’s learned from her time on the show
As Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur embark on their second season, Libe Barer’s insights offer a glimpse into the magic behind the scenes of this beloved animated series. From bringing Lunella Lafayette to life with authenticity and depth to embracing the challenges and rewards of collaborative storytelling, Barer’s “very special” experience on the show highlights the power of imagination, creativity, and representation in shaping the cultural landscape for generations to come.
Disney+ is now offering Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur for streaming.
Is a second season of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur planned?
On October 8, 2022, the second season of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur was revealed ahead of the show’s debut. Disney Channel debuted it on February 2, 2024.
Will Moon Girl get a third season?
Producers Steve Loter and Rodney Clouden of Disney’s animated series Devil Dinosaur and Moon Girl have disclosed that should the program be renewed, they intend to make a third season. This series, which is based on the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur characters from Marvel Comics, is unexpectedly well-liked by both critics and fans.
Who is the antagonist of Moon Girls?
Initially, one of Moon Girl’s adversaries is the robot known as Doombot, also known as Doom-Head, and solely because of his conceit and conviction that he is the genuine Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom.
What is Moon Girl’s age?
Main: Diamond White plays 13-year-old Lunella Lafayette, often known as Moon Girl. She is a talented Black girl who leads a double life as a superheroine and unintentionally pulls the Devil Dinosaur into modern-day New York.
