Powerpuff Girls Switch Voices
Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercupp may be able to defeat villains like Mojo Jojo, but evidently they can't overcome financial disputes. Warner Bros., parent company of Cartoon Network, which broadcasts the terrific trio, will release a Powerpuff Girls movie theatrically in 2002, but without the current voices of the girls.
According to their agents, Tara Strong (Bubbles), Catherine Cavadini (Blossom) and E.G. Daily (Buttercup)
were denied back-end participation for the film and Cartoon Network
refused to pay the actresses more than scale for their work. According to
reports, Cartoon Network offered Strong, Daily and Cavadini about $5,000 for a guaranteed five sessions,
whereas the typical pay range would be $7,500-$10,000 each. The actresses' agents would not confirm the
amounts but did admit that back-end participation is more important that the upfront payment.
Since an agreement has not been reached, Cartoon Network is searching for sound-alike voice-over talent to replace them in the film, though a spokeswoman indicated that the cable network hoped to resolve the matter with Strong, Cavadini and Daily. Cartoon Network's financial reluctance is ironic considering the fact that the two-year old show generated about $350 million in merchandising revenue last year.