How Ozzy Osbourne Wound Up In The Trolls Movie

Dreamworks scheduled an April 10 release for the Trolls sequel, “Trolls World Tour. However, COVID 19 cases topped one million on April 2, so the release was postponed. On April 28, the Wall Street Journal reported, “Last month, as the nation’s movie theaters, were days from closing down, executives at Comcast Corp.’s CMSCA 1.08% Universal Pictures moved on a decision that would soon pay off handsomely.” Dreamworks halted their original plan to release the movie in theatres and chose a digital release on platforms like Apple. Less than a month later, Trolls World Tour Topped $100 million. The bold move set a precedent for future digital releases. Months before the pandemic ravaged the world, Shell, the head of NBCUnviersal’s film division, began to consider digital releases versus the traditional movie experience. “The results for ‘Trolls World Tour’ have exceeded our expectations and demonstrated the viability of PVOD,” Mr. Shell said. “As soon as theaters reopen, we expect to release movies on both formats.” But, how did Ozzy Osbourne end up being part of this movie?

Trolls Sequel

The sequel follows the storyline with Queen Poppy and Branch ruling the Tribe of Trolls. Then, Queen Barb announces a world tour to unite the Trolls with rock and metal music, dominant musical genres in the Troll’s universe. While King Thrash and his daughter try to defend heavy metal’s dominance over the land, Poppy and Branch go on an adventure to unite all six Trolls Tribes, each represented by a different musical genre; funk, pop, techno, jazz, country, and classical. Many actors reprieved their roles, including Anna Kendrick as Poppy, Justin Timberlake as Branch, and James Cordon as Biggie. They also added many cameos from notable singers, including Icona Pop, Mary J. Blige, and Kelly Clarkson. Alongside the impressive lineup was a name that seemed out of place. Ozzy Osborne, the “Prince of Darkness,” signed on to play King Thrash, a senile Rock Troll with muddy blue skin, black hair with grey streaks, and red eyes. His character, much like the 72-year-old musician, had many health issues from his years of partying. Although the character of Thrash resembles Osborne, he was an unlikely candidate for the role. Spinditty called him “one of the biggest characters rock and roll produced.” They went on to say, “He’s certainly lived a life filled with adventures, misadventures, sex, drugs, and rock and roll.” They added, “Ozzy Osbourne’s life is the stuff of legend.”

Eating the head of a bird is one of his more well-known events. He’s also been thrown out of Dachau concentration camp because he was intoxicated. Along with his friend Zakk Wylde, he pushed a 50-inch tv out a window, and ended up with a $38000 bill. Once, when guests stayed at his English Cottage, he shaved off their eyebrows while they slept. He’s shot stray cats with a shotgun for potentially ruining his car. Once his first wife accidentally served a cake he laced with hashish to an unknowing Vicor. His outrageous shenanigans should have put him at the bottom of the list of musicians for an animated children’s movie. His Trolls character, King Thrash, said, “It’s all right. Just let everyone be who they want to be, including you.” Even though many people find his choices and lifestyle questions extremely questionable, perhaps he found a way to channel the chaos into a friendlier animated version of his life.

Osbourne’s Health Battles

On January 21, 2020, Ozzy Osborne and his wife Sharon did a Good Morning America interview. In an exclusive interview with Robin Roberts for “Good Morning America” the legendary rocker, his children, and his wife and manager, Sharon Osborne, are shedding light on the private health battle he experienced after a fall and Parkinson’s diagnosis last February.” Osbourne postponed his world tour and mainly stayed at home to recover. This wasn’t the first time there were rumors about declining health. Ozzy Osborne has spent 50 years in the public spotlight, especially during 2002-2005 when the reality show The Osbournes was on MTV. During the years, he denied the rumors, even one that he had Parkinson’s. Shortly after the interview, The Conversation posted an article about the disease and Osborne’s diagnosis. They detailed the horrors people feel when hearing the diagnosis and various symptoms, including smell loss, thinking issues, and depression. They wrote, “While Osbourne, 71, said it’s been “terribly challenging for all of us,” he also plans to tour again in the fall. Osbourne had several medical issues last winter, including a fall, neck surgery, and hospitalization for the flu.

In Ozzy’s own words, “…given the swimming pools of booze I’ve guzzled over the years -not to mention all of the cocaine, morphine, sleeping pills, cough syrup, LSD, Rohypnol…you name it there’s really no plausible medical reason why I should still be alive.” The same year Trolls began production, he suffered a horrible fall, resulting in severe nerve damage. It may have been because of Parkinson’s or the excessive lifestyle he’s led. Regardless, I think it gave him perspective. He is now a Grandpa and might have wanted to do a movie his grandchildren could watch. Perhaps, he finally realizes he is not immortal. A lot of people thought casting Osbourne was a colossal mistake. As Queen Poppy says, “You’re assuming the worst about someone you haven’t even met.” There is even a movie poster of him giving the sign of the horns. Additionally, Osborne canceled his “No More Tours 2” tour. Since he has been working almost non-stop for half a decade and had to put his excessive lifestyle on pause, he probably decided to take on a calmer project. He wants to return to touring but with his medical issues, whether or not he will remain uncertain. Whether this is the start of a new career path or using his remaining years to add more outrageous stories to his canonical darkness remains to be seen. Regardless, playing King Thrash in Troll’s World Tour is a hundred and eighty degrees turn around from the guy who, drugged-out, tried to strangle his wife Sharon in 1989.