Film

Are We Ready For A Singing Crocodile Voiced By Shawn Mendes?

"Those sounds shouldn't be coming out of that character's mouth."

by Reena Gupta  12 September 2022

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Singer Shawn Mendes is voicing a singing crocodile in the new animated film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, and we’re not sure how to feel.

The CGI musical comedy reportedly traces the story of Josh, who upon moving to a city struggles to adapt to a new school and new friends, but then meets a singing crocodile called Lyle, who also sounds exactly like Shawn Mendes. What are we supposed to say to that? How are we supposed to feel?

Culturally, are we ready for an animated singing crocodile voiced by Shawn Mendes? And would a singing crocodile even sound like Shawn Mendes? These are just some of the questions that the internet has been reckoning with upon the release a couple of clips from upcoming film.

“Why the fuck is Shawn Mendes a crocodile,” one Twitter user questioned, capturing a sentiment that many were struggling to put into words. And look, we have no problem with the concept of a singing crocodile. That’s fine. But whether a singing crocodile would give off Shawn Mendes energy is another question all together.

“His voice is NOT fitting,” one Twitter user wrote in response to the clip. “Those sounds shouldn’t be coming out of that character’s mouth.” Another critic was more blunt. “A crocodile should be a jazz singer, end of.”

And this is to say nothing of people’s reactions to Lyle’s incredibly flamboyant dance moves, which he performs while standing on his hind legs in the nude. “Shawn Mendes voicing an animated crocodile is queerbaiting,” joked another commenter.

But a vocal group of opponents stressed that the movie is based on Bernard Waber’s children’s book of the same name, first published in 1965, and that critics weren’t giving due respect to the fact.

“Is this the first time anyone has heard of a celebrity doing voice acting for a CHILDREN’S movie???,” tweeted one exasperated individual. “I don’t get it. I guess none of you’ll have kids. I can see why.”

Watch the full trailer for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile below, if you dare.