Category: Finance | Title: Original Trolls Cast: Key Facts, Earnings, and Market Position | Tag: Trolls | Meta Description: Facts about the Original Trolls cast, earnings, and market position...
Original Trolls Cast Overview
The Original Trolls cast features the voice actors from the first DreamWorks Animation Trolls film released in 2016. The main cast includes Anna Kendrick as Poppy, Justin Timberlake as Branch, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Creek. The film was directed by Mike Mitchell and co-directed by Walt Dohrn, with a screenplay by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. It grossed over 346 million dollars worldwide against a 125 million dollar budget. The original cast returned for Trolls World Tour in 2020 and Trolls Band Together in 2023, maintaining continuity across the franchise.
DreamWorks Animation, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, produced the Trolls films. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast, which reported consolidated revenue of 121.4 billion dollars in 2023. The Trolls franchise is part of DreamWorks Animation's broader portfolio that also includes Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, and Kung Fu Panda. The studio operates under the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which reported operating income of 10.6 billion dollars in 2023.
Original Trolls Cast Earnings and Compensation
Anna Kendrick earned a reported base salary of 2 million dollars for the first Trolls film, with backend participation on box office performance. Justin Timberlake's compensation included both a salary and music royalties tied to the soundtrack. The Original Trolls cast negotiated compensation packages that combined upfront fees with profit participation, a standard structure for A-list voice actors in animated features. The Trolls soundtrack debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.
For Trolls World Tour, the original cast returned under revised contracts reflecting the franchise's proven box office track record. The film earned 49 million dollars in its opening weekend and finished with 153 million dollars in global box office revenue. Voice actors in the Original Trolls cast typically receive compensation through a combination of SAG-AFTRA rate cards and individual negotiation, with backend bonuses tied to performance thresholds. The Trolls Band Together opening weekend gross was 36.4 million dollars, bringing the franchise total to over 600 million dollars worldwide.
Original Trolls Cast Market Position and Franchise Impact
The Original Trolls cast anchors a franchise that has become a key asset in DreamWorks Animation's content library. The Trolls films are distributed by Universal Pictures, which is part of NBCUniversal's film division. The franchise targets the family entertainment segment, competing with titles from Disney and Pixar in the animated musical category. The Trolls soundtrack albums have generated over 500 million streams on major platforms, contributing to ancillary revenue from music licensing and merchandise.
DreamWorks Animation's market position in the animated family film sector is supported by the Trolls franchise's consistent performance. The studio's library includes over 30 feature films, with the Trolls series representing a significant portion of recent theatrical and home entertainment revenue. The Original Trolls cast members have maintained public visibility through franchise promotions, music releases, and brand partnerships tied to the Trolls intellectual property. The franchise's expansion into streaming via Peacock, NBCUniversal's direct-to-consumer platform, reinforces its long-term value within the company's content strategy. For more details on the franchise, visit Forbes and for financial data, visit