Mark Hamill Joins ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ as The Flying Dutchman (2024)

You know what’s funnier than 24? 25!

To celebrate a quarter century of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Nickelodeon pulled out all the stops at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, starting with an epic Hall H panel.

Mark Hamill made a surprise appearance to reveal that he’d be voicing The Flying Dutchman in the upcoming fourth SpongeBob film, “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” out in 2025. “He’s the most fearsome goofball pirate you’ve ever seen. The movie is more cerebral. It’s more thoughtful, intellectually challenging. No, I’m just yanking your chain. It’s inspired silliness from start to finish.”

Voice actors Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill fa*gerbakke (Patrick), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) took the stage to participate in a live table read of beloved pilot “Help Wanted.”

The episode saw SpongeBob land his dream job at the Krusty Krab after passing Mr. Krab’s seemingly impossible task of acquiring a hydro-dynamic spatula (with port and starboard attachments). Kenny interrupted the episode to ask the audience to sing along to Tiny Tim’s “Livin’ in the Sunlight, Lovin’ in the Moonlight,” featured prominently in a key scene.

The panel, moderated by “Good Burger” star Kel Mitchell (who appeared in character as his beloved character Ed) also included executive producers Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller for additional nautical nonsense.

fa*gerbakke reflected on playing the dim-witted sea star for 25 years, telling the audience, “It’s like a big party. I have so much fun. I let my inner 7-year-old run wild. Then I’m tired.”

Kenny had trouble imagining a life without the ever-optimistic fry cook, recalling his audition process for the role. “I can’t even describe it. It’s like that emoji: the smiling face with the hearts in his eyes. That was totally me! If anybody else voiced this guy, I would be sad for the rest of my life. With SpongeBob, I was like, ‘I have to marry this sponge.”

Mr. Lawrence revealed that he almost lost out on the role of nefarious Chum Bucket proprietor Plankton. “I had to fight for my spot, because they wanted to stunt cast it! They wanted some celebrity to play it. We got a big group together with executives and I went, ‘I went to college!'” The rest is history. “That’s why you should all go to college!”

“SpongeBob SquarePants” first premiered on Nickelodeon in the summer of 1999, and quickly became one of the most successful animated series of all time. Created by Stephen Hillenburg, the show follows the titular, happy-go-lucky sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea as he tries (and fails) to pass his boating school exam, work as a fry cook and spend time with a colorful group of friends.

Lawrence previewed Sandy’s upcoming Netflix film “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie,” out Aug. 2. “Fans are about to see Sandy like never before and learn about her family … You guys are learning about her family and her background at the same time I am, because as the actress, I didn’t know any of this either,” she said before revealing an exclusive car chase clip from the film. “Of course, Sandy saves the day, because that’s what she does.”

The audience was also shown an exclusive clip from the upcoming “SpongeBob” episode “Kreepaway Kamp,” which sees the gang return to Kamp Koral.

The series has run for 14 seasons (and was renewed for a 15th in 2023), and has spawned three films, 2004’s “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie,” 2015’s “Sponge Out of Water” and 2020’s “Sponge on the Run.” There are two spin-off series, “Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years” and “The Patrick Star Show.”

It spawned a popular Broadway musical in 2017, which earned critical acclaim and twelve Tony nominations (including one win for scenic design).

The “SpongeBob” fun didn’t stop at Hall H, though. Nickelodeon also set up a huge 1,800 square foot booth on the show floor, immersing fans into the world of the Krusty Krab.

Hamill is repped by Gersh andKleinberg Lange Cuddy & Carlo.

Watch the birthday celebration below: