Patton Oswalt Talks to Us About His Role as Coach Dennis in The Latest Sports Animated Comedy “GOAT”

“You are never the underdog; you’re just an alpha dog that has not seen what it is about you that makes you the alpha.”

Calling Patton Oswalt a voice acting legend would be an understatement.

He’s built a career out of bringing sharp wit, warmth and unmistakable comedic timing to every character he plays.

From beloved animal roles to standout performances in film and TV, he has a knack for making even the most eccentric personalities feel relatable.

In the new animated movie GOAT, Patton steps into the role of Coach Dennis – a passionate, slightly chaotic mentor tasked with guiding a group of unlikely athletes towards greatness.

GOAT follows a small goat named Will (Caleb McLaughlin) get a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play ‘roarball’ – a high-intensity, full-contacted sport that’s dominated by the fastest and fiercest animals in the world.

After being ridiculed by his teammates, Will becomes determined to revolutionise the sport and prove that small can ball.

We got a chance to speak to Patton ahead of the movie’s release.

Combining breathtaking animation with incredible sound design and hilarious writing, this movie one is one that will have you with your eyes glued to the screen.

“I’m a big advocate for going to see movies in a theatre and this is one of those things where it’s so easy to argue this needs to be seen in a theatre,” Patton told Student Edge.

“The amount of design and pure art that got put into, all that got me really excited.”

He also told us about one of his favourite scenes to film when his character has a major meltdown and goes on a massive rant calling out all the players on the roarball team.

“He [Coach Dennis] has clearly been thinking about this for like five years and it’s coming out in such an angry, sloppy way that I kept breaking up just trying to get through that rant.

“I’m like this poor guy, he’s been waiting.”

Patton also gave us some advice for whenever we feel like we’re doubting ourselves, when we feel like the underdog or just feel a bit overlooked for who we are.

“You are never the underdog; you’re just an alpha dog that has not seen what it is about you that makes you the alpha,” he said.

“And if you’re a small goat, you’ve got to play in a way that makes the other characters not know what to do with their own legs – that’s how good you’ve got to get.

“And you can do that with anything, with writing, with art, with music.”

GOAT is the movie with it all – a spectacular cast, great writing, stunning animation and design all wrapped up with an incredible soundtrack.

GOAT is out in Australian cinemas 12 March. Bring your friends and book your student-discounted tix to see it here.

(Header Image: Getty Images)