Creature Commandos star Maria Bakalova shares the struggles of voice acting 

Maria Bakalova, the talented actress known for her Oscar-nominated role in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, recently opened up about the challenges of voice acting in the animated series Creature Commandos. Portraying Princess Ilana Rostovic, a morally complex character in the show, Bakalova tackled a role that required her to balance two drastically different personas.

Bakalova’s performance in Creature Commandos had to capture this dramatic shift, convincingly portraying Ilana’s kind facade and her darker, more sinister side. This duality was central to the character’s impact on the story.

Appearing on Collider Ladies Night, Bakalova shared her thoughts on the challenges of voice acting. She praised professional voice actors, calling it

"such a hard job to do."

Unlike traditional acting, where physical gestures, facial expressions, and body language help convey emotions, voice acting requires an entirely different skill set.

“As actors, we’re used to using our eyes, hands, and even our smile to communicate a character’s emotions. But with voice acting, all you have is your voice,”

Bakalova explained.

Adding to the difficulty was James Gunn’s complex writing.

“James does such a great job creating layered characters,”

she said.

“You have to make the audience believe in both their surface personality and the hidden layers beneath.”

---

The emotional depth of Princess Ilana in Creature Commandos

One of Bakalova’s biggest challenges was ensuring Ilana’s shift from a kind princess to a ruthless villain felt natural. This required a deeply emotional performance, as the audience needed to believe in her transformation.

“I had to make sure her actions made sense and felt authentic,”

she noted.

“It was all about using my voice to guide the audience through her journey.”

Creature Commandos is an animated series from James Gunn’s new DC Universe. The story follows Task Force M, a group of misfit heroes tasked with protecting, and later confronting, the acting monarch of Pokolistan, Princess Ilana Rostovic.

The show boasts a stellar cast, including David Harbour, Indira Varma, Alan Tudyk, Sean Gunn, Zoe Chao, and Frank Grillo. With its mix of humor, action, and emotional depth, Creature Commandos has been a hit among fans and critics alike, cementing its place as a strong entry in Gunn’s DC Universe.

Ilana Rostovic begins as a seemingly sweet and kind princess. Task Force M is assigned to protect her, but as the series progresses, Ilana’s true nature is revealed, a power-hungry, narcissistic villain who manipulates those around her.

James Gunn, known for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy and now DCU, played a pivotal role in shaping the show. Bakalova credited Gunn for pushing her to deliver her best performance.

“He challenges you as an actor,”

she said.

“But you know that, in the end, it’s all going to come together perfectly.”

Creature Commandos not only showcased Bakalova’s talent but also marked a strong start for Gunn’s DC Universe. Fans have praised its engaging storyline and strong performances, setting high expectations for upcoming projects like Superman: Legacy.

Maria Bakalova’s journey in Creature Commandos highlights the challenges and rewards of voice acting. Her ability to bring Princess Ilana to life, both as a kind princess and a cunning villain, was crucial to the show’s success. As DCU moves forward, fans eagerly await what’s next in this exciting universe.

Keep reading Soap Central for more such pieces!