X-Men '97' Star Carolina Ravassa on Polaris: A Deep Dive into Her Animated Journey
Carolina Ravassa, the voice of Polaris in the animated series X-Men '97, opens up about her journey bringing the character to life. With a unique background in voice acting, Ravassa brings a fresh perspective to the role, having previously voiced characters in video games like Sombra in Overwatch and Raze in Valorant.
A New Perspective on Polaris
Ravassa's approach to Polaris is one of authenticity and individuality. She explains, "I never read the comics growing up, but I watched the live-action X-Men movies, so I knew the basics. When I auditioned, I had no idea it was for X-Men '97!" This lack of prior knowledge adds an interesting dynamic to her portrayal, as she approaches the character with a clean slate.
The actress emphasizes the importance of staying present in the moment while recording. "We get the episodes or scenes we'll be in, and then we discuss them with the show's staff. We don't get the full season's beats, but that keeps us focused on the task at hand. If a character's history is crucial to a scene, we delve into it, but otherwise, we're zeroed in on the moment."
Video Game Influence
Her experience in the video game industry has been a valuable asset. "I never thought about it like that, but my video game experience has helped. When I auditioned, Polaris had some screams, so things like callouts and death screams from Overwatch and Valorant helped me connect. Polaris even has an EMP power like Sombra, which was helpful."
A Welcoming Cast and Community
The X-Men '97 cast has been incredibly welcoming, and Ravassa has formed strong bonds with her fellow actors. "I’ve known many of them as friends for years and worked with some of them before. When I got to WonderCon, they already knew I was Polaris. It's a truly lovely family of actors, and I was more excited that they were excited for me to join."
Double Duty: English and Spanish Dubs
Ravassa's talent extends beyond English. She also voices Polaris in the Spanish dub of X-Men '97, a role she landed after a personal request. "I grew up in Latin America and watched dubbing happen, but I didn't think it would happen to me. I asked our director to get Mexico's localization team to let me audition. Getting to record in neutral Spanish with our awesome Mexican team was special."
A Positive Response
The character of Polaris has received a positive response from fans, and Ravassa is thrilled. "For the most part, it's been a positive response. She's new and beloved by comic fans, so I'm glad she doesn't feel wrong to them. I'm excited to meet fans at comic cons and connect with the Latino fanbase through the Spanish dub."
As X-Men '97 continues to captivate audiences, Ravassa's portrayal of Polaris adds a unique and compelling layer to the series, leaving fans eager for more.
