When word first broke that Javier Bardem—the guy who literally played one of the most terrifying villains in cinematic history in No Country for Old Men—was going to play a singing, dancing showman in a kid's movie, people were confused. It felt like a glitch in the simulation. Then came the news that Shawn Mendes, a pop star with basically zero major acting credits, would be voicing a reptile that only communicates through song.
The Lyle Lyle Crocodile casting sounded like a fever dream. Honestly, looking at it on paper, it shouldn’t have worked. You have an Oscar winner, a pop heartthrob, a Marvel/indie veteran like Scoot McNairy, and the "authentic" Constance Wu all jammed into a story about a saltwater crocodile living in a brownstone on East 88th Street.
But it did work. Here is the real story of how this bizarre ensemble came together and why the choices made behind the scenes actually saved the movie from being just another generic CGI flop.
The Javier Bardem Gamble: From Hitman to Hector P. Valenti
Directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon knew they needed someone "larger than life" for Hector P. Valenti. They didn't want a typical comedian. They wanted someone who could ground the absurdity with real dramatic weight. They asked for Javier Bardem, and the studio basically laughed, telling them they’d never get him.
It took six different Zoom calls to convince him. Bardem was reportedly nervous. He saw the role as "very comedic" and was worried about jumping into something so outside his wheelhouse.
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But the directors pitched it as a character with "dramatic roots," not just a punchline. Bardem eventually saw Lyle as a "symbolic figure"—something we are afraid of but can create something beautiful with if we give it a chance. He brought a sense of desperate, fading-star energy to Valenti that a standard comedic actor might have missed. He did his own singing and dancing, which, for a guy known for playing brooding tough guys, was a massive swing.
Shawn Mendes and the "Vocal Only" Challenge
One of the most specific parts of the Lyle Lyle Crocodile casting was the decision that Lyle wouldn't speak. He only sings. This meant the voice had to be world-class.
Shawn Mendes wasn't just a random celebrity pick for marketing; he actually shared a weirdly deep connection with the character. During production, it came out that Mendes has struggled with significant stage fright and performance anxiety—the exact things that keep Lyle from performing in the movie's first act.
- The Voice: Mendes provided the singing voice, capturing that "sensitive giant" vibe.
- The Body: He didn't do the motion capture. That was Ben Palacios.
- The Connection: Mendes told interviewers he felt he was "embodying" his own vulnerability through the crocodile.
It’s rare to get your first choice for a role like this, but the production team secured Mendes almost immediately because the themes of the movie mirrored his real-life sabbatical from touring to focus on mental health.
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Constance Wu and the "Authentic" Mom
Constance Wu joined the cast as Mrs. Primm (Katie), and her involvement was a bit of a turning point. At the time, she was coming off a lot of public scrutiny and felt that playing a "musical theater nerd" mom allowed her to show her "authentic self."
She wasn't just there to be the "straight man" to a CGI crocodile. Her character is a cookbook author who is a bit of a perfectionist, and she gets a big musical number that taps into her real-life background in theater.
The Rest of the East 88th Street Crew
You can't talk about the Lyle Lyle Crocodile casting without mentioning Winslow Fegley. He plays Josh Primm, the kid who finds Lyle. Fegley was already a rising star (you might recognize him from 8-Bit Christmas or Nightbooks), but he had to do the heavy lifting of acting against a "wire skeleton" or a stuffed toy on set.
Then there's Scoot McNairy. He’s usually in gritty dramas or prestige TV, but here he plays a math teacher and former wrestling champion. It's a total dad role, and he plays it with a sincere dorkiness that makes the family dynamic feel real.
And, of course, Brett Gelman. He plays Mr. Grumps. If you've seen Stranger Things or Fleabag, you know Gelman excels at playing characters who are simultaneously pathetic and infuriating. He was the perfect choice for a neighbor who hates fun.
The Breakdown of Roles
- Lyle (Singing Voice): Shawn Mendes
- Hector P. Valenti: Javier Bardem
- Katie Primm: Constance Wu
- Josh Primm: Winslow Fegley
- Joseph Primm: Scoot McNairy
- Mr. Grumps: Brett Gelman
- Lyle (Motion Capture): Ben Palacios
Why It Hit the "Discover" Sweet Spot
This movie worked because it didn't treat the casting like a checklist. They didn't just hire "the most famous person available." They hired people who had something to prove. Bardem wanted to show he could be whimsical. Mendes wanted to express his vulnerability. Wu wanted to be seen as herself.
If you’re looking to revisit the film or show it to your kids, pay attention to the physical acting. Because Lyle is a CGI character, the human actors had to over-index on their reactions to make the space feel occupied. It’s a masterclass in green-screen interaction.
What to Do Next
If you’re a fan of the cast, there are a few things you should check out to see their range.
Watch Javier Bardem in Being the Ricardos to see him play another showman (Desi Arnaz) with a much darker edge. Or, check out Winslow Fegley in Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made—it’s probably his best "kid lead" performance. If you're purely here for the music, the soundtrack by Pasek & Paul (the geniuses behind The Greatest Showman) is the best way to experience Shawn Mendes's contribution without having to sit through the whole movie again.