The Rock-afire Explosion Movie (Johnsonverse)

The Rock-afire Explosion Movie is a 2021 American animated musical film directed by Aaron Fechter and written by Fechter, Burt Wilson, Tim and Chloe Johnson, based on the titular band by Creative Engineering. The film stars Fechter, Wilson, Rick Bailey, Duke Chauppetta, Jeff Howell, Sarah Locke, Shalisa Sloan James, Jaret Reddick, Duncan Brannan, Caroline Richardson, Chris Hill, Jeremy Blaido, Earl Fisher, Laura Tate, Kate Bristol, Stephanie Sheh, Cristina Valenzuela, Shelby Lindley, Cassandra Lee Morris, Christine Marie Cabanos, Xanthe Huynh, Michelle Ann Dunphy, Laura Bailey, Paul McCartney, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Lady Gaga, Kevin Murphy, Awkwafina, Patton Oswalt, and Felicia Day. It follows Billy Bob, the Rock-afire Explosion, and Munch's Make-Believe Band going on a cross-country mission to write a song that would save their bands from going under, while also having to prevent a gang of crooks from stealing it. Meanwhile, Ho-kago Tea Time trails the crooks and uncovers a sinister conspiracy from the past.

The film premiered on April 16, 2021 at the San Jose Theatre, and was released worldwide on April 21 on Netflix and in theaters, though it was released theatrically in other countries that don't have Netflix. It received widespread acclaim for its story and voice acting, as well as its musical numbers, many of which were performed by the characters.

Plot
The film begins with a stylized opening sequence showing the Rock-afire Explosion, Munch's Make-Believe Band, and Ho-kago Tea Time characters in a parody of 1970s movies. After the intro, the film cuts to Smitty's Super Service Station, where Billy Bob and Looney Bird get a letter from record producer Kelton Chandler, and his daughter, Karissa Chandler. They're notified that, after their performance at their latest concert, they are looking at signing the band to their label, Chandler Records. Billy Bob, ecstatic, shows the letter to the rest of the band, while Looney Bird is suspicious of the Chandlers' motives.

When Billy Bob shows

Voice cast

 * Aaron Fechter as Billy Bob Brockali, Looney Bird, Rolfe DeWolfe, and Earl Schmerle
 * Burt Wilson as Fatz Geronimo, Sun, and Moon
 * Duke Chauppetta as Dook LaRue
 * Rick Bailey as Beach Bear
 * Jeff Howell as Uncle Klunk
 * Sarah Locke as Mitzi Mozzarella Jr.
 * Shalisa Sloan James as Mitzi Mozzarella Sr.
 * Jaret Reddick as Chuck E. Cheese
 * Duncan Brannan as Crusty the Cat
 * Caroline Richardson as Helen Henny, Madame Oink, Maisy Warblette, and Bella B.
 * Chris Hill as Mr. Munch
 * Jeremy Blaido as Jasper T. Jowls
 * Earl Fisher as Pasqually P. Pieplate
 * Laura Tate as Harmony Howlette
 * Kate Bristol as Daisy Warblette and Foxy Colleen
 * Taylor Fono as Irma Warblette
 * Paul McCartney as Kelton Chandler
 * Lady Gaga as Karissa Chandler
 * "Weird Al" Yankovic as Joseph David
 * Kevin Murphy as Thunder Smith
 * Awkwafina as Reyse Presley
 * Patton Oswalt as Bobby Lincoln
 * Felicia Day as Maria Cates
 * Stephanie Sheh as Yui Hirasawa
 * Cristina Valenzuela as Mio Akiyama
 * Cassandra Lee Morris as Ritsu Tainaka
 * Shelby Lindley as Tsumugi "Mugi" Kotobuki
 * Christine Marie Cabanos as Azusa Nakano
 * Xanthe Huynh as Ui Hirasawa
 * Michelle Ann Dunphy as Jun Suzuki
 * Laura Bailey as Nodoka Manabe
 * Karen Strassman as Sawako Yamanaka
 * Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Sumire Saitō
 * Michelle Ruff as Nao Okuda
 * John Bowen as The King
 * Joe Alaskey as Happy Fox
 * Eric Bauza as Wendy Fox
 * Jeff Bergman as Sappy Fox
 * Isabella Bennett as Rabbit
 * David Bennett as The Spine
 * Bryan Barbarin as Zer0
 * Sam Luke as Hatchworth
 * Jon Sprague as The Jon
 * Erin Burke as Upgrade
 * Fred Tatasciore as Mike Wolf

Casting
The main voice actors for all three ShowBiz bands reprise their roles. On November 13, 2020, it was reported that Steam Powered Giraffe would make a cameo, as well as perform a song for the film's soundtrack.

Due to the film being produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the main voice actors recorded through Zoom during recording sessions.

Animation
The animation for the film is produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, using traditional cel animation.