Released by Blue Sky Studios in July 2009, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs expanded the beloved prehistoric herd by dropping them into a secret tropical jungle hidden beneath the ice. The film introduced a massive wave of new characters led by an unhinged, one-eyed weasel, a cunning female rival for Scrat, and an entire ecosystem of towering reptiles. Directed by Carlos Saldanha, the third installment relied on a mix of returning voice talent and fresh additions to push the franchise to an enormous $886 million global box office haul.
The core appeal of the film rests on how its iconic cast handles suburban domesticity clashing with prehistoric survival. Manny and Ellie prepare for parenthood, Sid adopts three hazardous dinosaur eggs, Diego questions his place in the pack, and a manic new hero named Buck guides them through the underworld. Understanding who voiced these characters and how the production brought them to life reveals why this sequel became the highest-grossing entry in the entire franchise.
The Returning Herd
The heart of the franchise stayed intact for the third outing, with the main voice actors returning to ground the wild script in familiar character dynamics.
Manny (Ray Romano)
Ray Romano reprised his role as Manfred "Manny", the stern yet deeply protective woolly mammoth. In this film, Manny transitions from an adventurous herd leader into an anxious expectant father. Romano's deadpan delivery balances the chaotic energy of Sid and the comedic antics of the opossums. His primary motivation shifts entirely to securing a safe, peaceful home for Ellie and their impending baby.
Sid (John Leguizamo)
John Leguizamo returned as Sid, the clumsy and chatterbox ground sloth. Sid triggers the entire plot of the movie by stealing three abandoned dinosaur eggs from an underground cavern and attempting to raise them as his own children. Leguizamo's high-pitched, frantic vocal performance emphasizes Sid's desperate desire for a family of his own, even if it leads him straight into the jaws of a tyrannosaur.
Diego (Denis Leary)
Denis Leary voiced Diego, the sharp-tongued saber-toothed cat. Facing a mid-life crisis and feeling his predatory reflexes slow down due to the herd's domestic lifestyle, Diego briefly considers leaving the group. Leary's dry, gravelly delivery captures Diego's internal conflict before he rediscovers his purpose while helping protect the herd in the subterranean jungle.
The Expanded Family
The second film introduced new herd members who returned with expanded roles, shifting the dynamic from a trio to a full family unit.
Ellie (Queen Latifah)
Queen Latifah returned as Ellie, Manny's mate and a fiercely independent woolly mammoth who was raised by opossums. Ellie spends the film heavily pregnant, remaining remarkably resilient and brave despite the hazardous underground environment. Latifah brings warmth, emotional stability, and authority to the group, keeping Manny grounded when his anxiety spirals out of control.
Crash (Seann William Scott) and Eddie (Josh Peck)
Seann William Scott and Josh Peck reprised their roles as the reckless opossum brothers, Crash and Eddie. Adoptive brothers to Ellie, the duo idolize Manny and treat dangerous stunts as casual hobbies. Their fearless, adrenaline-junkie attitudes provide constant physical comedy, especially when they act as self-appointed commando bodyguards during the rescue mission.
New Additions to the Prehistoric Pack
The 2009 sequel stands out primarily because of the iconic characters introduced during the journey beneath the ice.
Buck (Simon Pegg)
Simon Pegg joined the cast as Buck, a manic, one-eyed weasel who has spent years surviving alone in the dinosaur-infested underground world. Wearing an eye patch and carrying a knife made from a dinosaur tooth, Buck acts as the eccentric guide and survivalist for the herd. Pegg infused the character with chaotic, unhinged energy modeled after classic adventure heroes, instantly making Buck a fan-favorite addition to the series.
Scrat and Scratte (Chris Wedge and Karen Disher)
Chris Wedge returned to voice the silent, acorn-obsessed saber-toothed squirrel Scrat. This time, the animators introduced a female counterpart named Scratte, voiced by Karen Disher. Scratte matches Scrat's agility and obsession, leading to an extended battle of wits and romance over a single acorn. Their segments serve as standalone slapstick sketches that interrupt the main narrative.
The Baby Dinosaurs
When Sid hatches the eggs, he names the baby tyrannosaurs Eggbert, Shelly, and Yoko. Though they start out small and playful, their rapid growth and natural instincts create immediate friction. Momma T-Rex eventually arrives to reclaim her offspring, setting off the initial conflict that drags the herd down into the lost world.
Behind the Voices: Production and Legacy
The voice recording process for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs relied heavily on the chemistry between the principal actors. Unlike many animated films where voice actors record their lines separately in isolation, the main cast frequently recorded together to preserve natural comedic timing and overlapping dialogue.
The introduction of the dinosaur underworld allowed Blue Sky Studios to experiment with vibrant color palettes, moving away from the stark white snowscapes of the first two films. Character designers noted that inventing the look of the underground reptiles provided creative freedom because prehistoric colorations remain largely unknown to science. This design choice paired with Simon Pegg's breakout performance helped propel the movie past the $800 million mark, cementing its place as a high point in 2000s animation history.
For more details on the studio's history, you can view the Blue Sky Studios archive on Wikipedia. To explore the wider context of animated blockbusters from that era, check out Box Office Mojo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices Buck in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs?
Buck is voiced by British actor and comedian Simon Pegg. Pegg gave the one-eyed weasel an eccentric, swashbuckling personality inspired by classic adventure archetypes.
Is Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs the highest-grossing film in the franchise?
Yes. It grossed approximately $886.7 million worldwide, making it the most financially successful movie in the entire five-film series.
What happens to Sid's baby dinosaurs?
After Momma T-Rex retrieves them and helps protect the herd from the film's main antagonist, Rudy the Baryonyx, the baby dinosaurs safely return to their natural home alongside their biological mother, bidding an emotional farewell to Sid.
Did the main voice actors record together?
Yes. To capture authentic banter and comedic timing, the primary voice actors, including Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, and Denis Leary, recorded many of their conversational scenes together in the same studio.
