Scott "Squishy" Squibbles: The Lovable Monster of Monsters University

Monsters University introduces a host of new and memorable characters, but one that stands out for his adorableness and humor is Scott "Squishy" Squibbles. Squishy, a member of the Oozma Kappa (OK) fraternity, is voiced by Pete Sohn, a long-time member of the Pixar animation team. Sohn's portrayal brings a distinct and endearing quality to this multi-eyed monster, inspired by the Japanese sweet, mochi. Let's delve into the creation and personality of this beloved character.

The Voice Behind Squishy: Pete Sohn

Peter Sohn, who has worked at Pixar for over a decade, describes himself as "lucky enough to be playing Squishy, the chubby guy with the hat and a bunch of eyes." He's no stranger to voice acting, having previously voiced Emile in Ratatouille. Sohn humorously notes that he often gets cast in roles that require him to be "chubby and nerdy."

How Sohn Got the Role

Sohn's casting as Squishy wasn't entirely unexpected. He explains, "It was a straight-on casting call for the thing where they wanted me specifically. It was just Dan [Scanlon] and Kori saying, 'Come on down and do the scratch for it.'" Scratch voices are temporary, placeholder voices used to get a feel for how the story will work. Sohn started with this "fake dialogue stuff," but his voice ultimately became permanent.

The Pixar Family Dynamic

Sohn emphasizes the collaborative and supportive environment at Pixar, where employees readily help each other out. "It's just like it's kind of this give and take with all the other productions here because it's so familiar. When in such family, you want to do whatever you can for each other." This camaraderie allows for spontaneous contributions, like Sohn's quick vocal cameo, screaming into a microphone about his mom.

Squishy's Character and Personality

Squishy is a sophomore at Monsters University whose dream of becoming a Scarer was "squashed" in his first year. He's described as a "wide-eyed wanderer-small, sweet, naïve, and quiet-who, not surprisingly, still lives with his doting mother." His constant state of being overlooked often leads to comical moments, particularly with Mike Wazowski, who frequently forgets Squishy's presence.

Sohn's Connection to Squishy

Sohn deeply connects with Squishy's sincere and naïve nature. "I like that he's so sincere about naïve things," Sohn says. "There's a scene in there where Mike and Sully want to throw a party. And he's like, 'This is great. Grab some couch cushions 'cause we're gonna build a fort!'" This innocent enthusiasm resonates with Sohn's own childhood experiences, recalling a time before the internet when simple things like a Lego piece could spark hours of imaginative play.

Squishy and His Mom

The relationship between Squishy and his mother, Ms. Squibbles, adds another layer of humor and heart to the character. Sohn praises Julia Sweeney, who voices Ms. Squibbles, as "so brilliant." He observes that Squishy's dynamic with his mom is relatable, capturing the feeling of being embarrassed by a parent while still deeply loving them. "He still loves her but totally living this weird 30-year-old living with his mom kind of feeling. I totally understand it, connect with it as well. It's not a stretch."

The Design of Squishy

In early versions, artists based him on simple gels and candies. Sohn recalls that the drawings of Squishy often resembled a thumb. This playful observation led to artists drawing him as a thumb with a hat.

The Essence of Squishy

Dan Scanlon created Squishy to demonstrate that scariness isn't about size or appearance, but rather something you either have or you don't. Scanlon aimed for Squishy to be a simple, easily overlooked character, "an unmolded ball of clay" that "People shouldn’t be noticing him a lot. He should be boring-looking."

Sohn's Creative Process

Sohn emphasizes that the script was already written, and his role was to find funny ways to deliver the lines. He credits director Dan Scanlon for understanding his personality and creating analogies that helped him connect with the character. "Dan is such a good director in understanding my personality. We know each other so he can put me in a place very easily, like creating some analogy for me to go and, 'Oh, I get it. Okay.'"

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Embracing Vulnerability

Sohn describes voice acting as a "naked" experience, requiring him to be vulnerable and fully immersed in the character's mindset. "For me acting is just about trying to not think about anything else other than what that character’s thinking about and what the natural instincts can be." He uses personal memories to fuel his performance, drawing on his childhood experiences with his own mother to capture the nuances of Squishy's relationship with Ms. Squibbles.

Squishy's Enduring Appeal

Squishy's appeal lies in his relatability, sincerity, and unwavering optimism. He embodies the spirit of the underdog, proving that even the smallest and most unassuming individuals can make a big impact. His interactions with his Oozma Kappa fraternity brothers, particularly Mike and Sulley, are filled with humor and heart, making him an unforgettable character in the Monsters University universe.

Beyond Squishy: Sohn's Other Projects

In addition to voicing Squishy, Pete Sohn has contributed to numerous Pixar films, including Finding Nemo and Ratatouille. He also directed the short film Partly Cloudy, which tells the story of storks and the clouds that create babies. Sohn was also co-directing The Good Dinosaur, further showcasing his versatility and talent within the animation studio.

The Impact of Animation

Sohn expresses a deep passion for animation, viewing it as a way to connect with others on a profound level. "It is not the color of my skin. It is not my heritage in a way. It is these people that I connect to on this kind of passionate level that has become a race. You only connect like that with other people that love the same things that you do." He believes that animation has the power to bring people together and create something real and alive.

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