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Why Emily Blunt’s Brother-in-Law Stanley Tucci Called Her “Shameless” on 'Devil Wears Prada 2' Set
David Cross allegedly had a nutty experience before wrapping Alvin and the Chipmunks.
After starring as the chipmunks' music manager Ian on the original 2007 movie and The Squeakquel in 2009, Cross said the production was "so awful" to him while filming the third installment, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011).
"The only negative experience I had was on the third movie, which I was contractually obligated to do," he said on the April 17 episode of The Daily Beast’s Obsessed podcast, "and they were just so s--tty to me from the jump."
The first major issue, the 62-year-old alleged, was that the team only gave him a couple weeks' notice that he would be in the third film, telling him around Christmastime that he needed to be in Hawaii by Jan. 3 to shoot.
"They were like, 'If you're not there, they will sue you,'" he said. "It was so crazy."
"And it got worse from there. They were doing, like, s--tty things on purpose," he added. "Gave me a s--tty trailer that was leaking, just stuff like that."
That's why Cross has no desire to do a sequel or any other film with the Chipmunks team, saying, "I would never work with any of those people again for the rest of my life."
While the Arrested Development alum appeared on camera for the live action films, the singing chipmunks Alvin, Theodore and Simon were voiced by Justin Long, Jesse McCartney and Matthew Gray Gubler, respectively.
As Cross put it, "I think I contributed quite a bit to this billion dollar franchise."
E! News has reached out to 20th Century Fox for comment on the allegations but hasn't heard back.
Michael Bezjian/WireImage
After first speaking out about his experience a decade ago, Cross clarified that he has no complaints against producers Ross Bagdasarian or Janice Karman—the son and daughter-in-law of Alvin and the Chipmunks creator Dave Bagdasarian.
“Janice and Ross were never anything but warm, giving, and gracious to me,” he wrote on Facebook in 2012, per The Hollywood Reporter. “From the first day I walked on the set for the first movie to wrapping the third. During the shooting of Chipwrecked they went out of their way daily to make sure that (as my negative treatment was well known to everyone involved) I was happy and they understood and appreciated my situation."
Cross—who said he only had issues with an unnamed producer—added at the time that he admired Karman and Bagdasarian's "enthusiasm, energy and spirit," saying, "They're really, really nice and I can’t imagine them ever behaving that way to anybody.”
In addition to the Chipmunks, read on to see which celebrities have voiced other animated characters.
Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Alex J.Berliner/ABImages
Gru, Despicable Me Franchise
Steve Carell brought a truly unique accent as lovable villain Gru in all of the Despicable Me films, including the latest, Minions: The Rise of Gru, out July 1, 2022.
Universal Studios; Getty Images
Rosita, Sing
Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon shines as performing pig Rosita in the Sing films.
Lightning McQueen, Cars
Owen Wilson gave life to Lightning McQueen in both Cars and Cars 2.
Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Getty Images
Gidget, The Secret Life of Pets
Iconic voice actress Jenny Slate—who is also the persona behind the wildly popular animated character Marcel the Shell—perfectly plays snobby Pomeranian Gidget in The Secret Life of Pets movies.
Rapunzel, Tangled
Former teen pop star Mandy Moore voiced the princess with 70-foot long hair, who was also the first Disney royal to have supernatural powers.
DreamWorks Animation; David M. Russell/CBS
Wolf, The Bad Guys
In DreamWorks' new 2022 film about a group of wanted villains, Oscar winner Sam Rockwell plays Wolf.
Kristoff, Frozen
Looking star Jonathan Groff is one of the few characters to not get a big song in Frozen, yet he's a very seasoned Broadway vet.
Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
Snowball, The Secret Life of Pets
The always hilarious Kevin Hart puts all his energy into portraying the rambunctious daredevil Snowball.
Dory, Finding Nemo
Dory the forgetful fish was written specifically for Emmy-winning talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
Universal Studios; Getty Images
Belle Bottom, Minions: The Rise of Gru
Empire alum Taraji P. Henson is joining the Despicable Me franchise as Belle Bottom in 2022's Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Universal Studios; Alex J.Berliner/ABImages
Master Chow, Belle Bottom, Minions: The Rise of Gru
Also starring in Minions: The Rise of Gru is iconic actress Michelle Yeoh, who voices Master Chow.
Universal Studios; DAN HIMBRECHTS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Buster Moon, Sing
Matthew McConaughey will have you saying "alright, alright, alright" with his adorable performance as Buster Moon in the Sing franchise.
Helen Parr/Elastigirl, The Incredibles
It's a good thing Holly Hunter got some superhero experience from Disney, as she was later cast in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016.
Woody, Toy Story
Tom Hanks has said that he was interested in the role of Woody the cowboy because, as a kid, he always wondered if his toys would come to life when nobody was in the room.
Queen Elinor, Brave
Emma Thompson is the voice behind Queen Elinor, who turns into a giant bear due to a witch's curse.
Universal Studios; Todd Williamson/E! Entertainment/NBC
Ash, Sing
Actress Scarlett Johansson shows off her singing chops as Ash in the musical franchise.
DreamWorks Animation; Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for MTV
Tarantula, The Bad Guys
Golden Globe winner Awkwafina brings her iconic brand of comedy to The Bad Guys as Tarantula.
Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Miss Hattie & Lucy, Despicable Me Franchise
Kristen Wiig made her debut as Miss Hattie in the franchise's first film in 2010, and later went on to voice Lucy in the first two sequels.
DreamWorks Animation; Lloyd Bishop/NBC
Diane Foxington, The Bad Guys
Atlanta actress Zazie Beetz voices a foxy member of The Bad Guys.
Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Nathan Congleton/NBC
Duke, The Secret Life of Pets
Modern Family alum Eric Stonestreet is the hug-able pup Duke on the big screen.
Randy, Monsters, Inc.
Boardwalk Empire star Steve Buscemi provided the voice for the villain in Monsters, Inc., but only after John Goodman (Sulley) pushed to have him cast.
DreamWorks Animation; AFF-USA/Shutterstock
Piranha, The Bad Guys
The Bad Guys' Piranha is voiced by Hamilton and In the Heights star Anthony Ramos.
Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Chloe, The Secret Life of Pets
Pets' lovable, rotund feline Chloe is voiced by Lake Bell.
Universal Studios; Getty Images
Young Nana, Sing
Oscar-winning Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson lends her award-winning vocals to the part of Young Nana in Sing.
Moviestore/Shutterstock; Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Dr. Nefario, Despicable Me
Comedian Russell Brand is the man behind Gru's nemesis Dr. Nefario.
Yzma, The Emperor's New Groove
You may have missed the nod to Eartha Kitt's role as Catwoman when, at the end of this film, her evil Yzma turned into a kitten.
Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney himself voiced the character he created for almost 20 years, but was then replaced in 1946 by Jimmy MacDonald after the former became too busy.
Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Greg Endries/SHOWTIME
Buddy, The Secret Life of Pets
Comedian and Broad City alum Hannibal Buress brings the laughs at Buddy in Pets.
Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story
Tim Allen took the role of Buzz Lightyear after Chevy Chase turned it down.
Remy, Ratatouille
The one and only Patton Oswalt is the voice behind the rat who can cook better than most French folks.
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