Interview: Paul Walter Hauser and Lewis Black on Voicing Embarrassment and Anger in ‘Inside Out 2’ [VIDEO]

At a recent Disney Pixar press day, I had the opportunity to catch up with some of the new and returning emotions featured in Inside Out 2. I spoke with Paul Walter Hauser, who voices the new emotion Embarrassment, and comedian Lewis Black, who reprises his role as Anger.

Paul Walter Hauser, known for his acclaimed roles in Richard Jewell and I, Tonya, shared how becoming a father of two has influenced his approach to his work. “High-brow family entertainment is something I’m really attracted to now,” said Hauser. The Emmy-winning star of Black Bird explained that voicing Embarrassment involved experimenting with different vocal approaches and trusting the creative team to select the best takes. Hauser also expressed his excitement about creating a film that will resonate with his children for years to come. “They’ll start by being entertained and then eventually they’ll understand what some of this stuff means,” he said. “I think it’s a really meaningful film, I’m really impressed.”

Lewis Black, a veteran comedian known for his sharp, rant-filled comedy and his role in The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, found it easy to step back into the role of Anger almost a decade after the original Inside Out. “It’s kind of what I do. I rant. I have a rant-cast,” Black quipped. “It was really easy,” he added.

Hauser candidly discussed some of the insecurities he faced during the recording process. Black chimed in, suggesting that the film provides a valuable insight into emotions. He believes the audience will gain a better understanding of “what they’re feeling,” a concept he feels his generation struggled with. “We’re still trying to figure out what we’re feeling, and sometimes it’s too late,” he observed.

Watch Inside Out 2 when it releases only in theaters on June 14.