Whoopi Goldberg and Keith David Joined Captain Zero Film

The veteran actors have signed on to lead the voice cast for the upcoming animated feature, Captain Zero: Into the Abyss.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Animation

Graphic illustration featuring floating ink brushes, animation cells, and ink splashes, evoking the aesthetic of traditional hand-drawn animation production. — Whoopi Goldberg and Keith David have been cast as leads in the upcoming animated feature film Captain Zero: Into the Abyss. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Whoopi Goldberg and Keith David will lead the voice cast for the animated feature Captain Zero: Into the Abyss. Goldberg also serves as an executive producer on the project, which is currently in pre-production.

Why it matters

The film centers on the journey of teenager Xerxes Hughes and explores significant themes of mental health, self-worth, and empowerment. The production emphasizes traditional 2D animation techniques while explicitly excluding AI-generated imagery.

The Captain Zero franchise has spent 10 years in development to date. The previous short film installment successfully earned a 2026 NAACP Image Award nomination.

The players

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is an EGOT-winning performer and producer who serves as an executive producer and voice actor for this project.

Keith David

Keith David is an acclaimed stage and screen actor known for his extensive voice work who reprises his role as the Depression Demon.

Z Cher-Aimé

Z Cher-Aimé is a filmmaker who is serving as a co-director for the animated feature film.

Andre Carl Engco

Andre Carl Engco is a director who is leading the production alongside Z Cher-Aimé.

The details

Co-directed by Z Cher-Aimé and Andre Carl Engco, the project is produced by Cutting Edge Animation and One Ho Productions. Keith David will reprise his role as the Depression Demon, a character established in the earlier short film.

Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II premiered at the Tribeca Festival in 2025.
The Captain Zero short film received an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This project represents a push for traditional 2D animation in an era where major studios are increasingly shifting toward automated workflows. By securing established talent, the filmmakers are scaling a niche, award-recognized concept into a full-length feature.

Fans of the Captain Zero short films can expect an expanded look at the story of Xerxes Hughes as the project moves through pre-production. The decision to avoid AI-generated animation ensures that the final product will retain the hand-crafted aesthetic seen in earlier installments.

The takeaway

The addition of veteran talent to the Captain Zero universe signals a commitment to character-driven storytelling over spectacle. The film aims to provide a platform for meaningful discussions about mental health through a traditional artistic lens.