Memphis

King Memphis
Gender	Male
Relatives	Norma-Jean (wife) Mumble (son) Gloria (daughter in-law) Erik (grandson)
Appearance	Black Eyes: Orange Eyes
Voiced By	Hugh Jackman Christopher Corey Smith (video game)
Appears In	Happy Feet Happy Feet Two (cameo) Happy Feet Three (upcoming)

King Memphis is one of the three overarching protagonists of the Happy Feet franchise (alongside Lovelace and Norma Jean), serving as one of the two tritagonists (alongside Norma Jean) of Happy Feet and a minor character in Happy Feet Two. He is the husband of Norma Jean, the father of Mumble, the grandfather of Erik, and the king of Emperor Land (until Mumble inherited his rule in the second film). His heartsong is "Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

Information

Happy Feet

In Memphis' first appearance, he appears from nowhere when he is singing his heartsong "Heartbreak Hotel". After mating, he and Norma Jean had an egg. When the females went to find food, the males were in charge of watching over the eggs and protecting them from the harsh wind storm approaching. Lonely and cold, the only thing to help Memphis get past the storm was to think of Norma Jean and dancing. However, this caused him to drop the egg, sending it tumbling in the snow. He quickly retrieved it, hoping nothing happened. After, he prayed hard to the Great 'Guin that his child was fine. Mumble's name was not chosen by Memphis or Norma Jean, but Gloria. She called him this because while he was trying to exit his egg, he made small noises. The difficulty Mumble had while trying to break out of his egg concerned Memphis, but what concerned him, even more, was the way he oddly moved his feet and the fact that he could not sing, and therefore had no Heartsong.

Memphis was not supportive of Mumble's dancing capabilities, saying that it "just ain't penguin". He even resorted to picking the Elders over his family when things got rough with the food shortage. However, when Mumble was taken to the zoo by humans, he went into a state of depression feeling like a complete failure as a father. When Mumble returned, he joined his son in dancing for the humans and contributed to the return of the fish.

By the end of the film, he completely supported Mumble's dancing and joins into group dancing willingly.

Happy Feet Two

In Happy Feet Two, Memphis was not present except for a brief cameo alongside Norma Jean. When Mumble and the kids are returning to Emperor-Land with a few fishes, Memphis appears with Norma Jean as they are seen with the elders listening to Noah. He and Norma Jean are uncredited during the credits on the Emperor's part.

Personality

Memphis loves his son Mumble deeply was somewhat embarrassed by him being different. He tried to stifle it, shushing Mumble or stopping him from dancing around others, when he can. He tried to live normal like other penguins but eventually learned to support his son.

Appearance

Memphis looks like every other Emperor Penguin. He has somewhat broader shoulders, and--when dancing--can be differenciated by his Elvis Presley-like dance moves. He also sings like his Heartsong writer, with a deep voice. He waddles with confidence.

Relationships

• Relatives: Norma Jean (wife)
  Mumble (son)
  Gloria (daughter-in-law)
  Erik (grandson)
• Allies: Maurice, Noah the Elder, Eggbert the Elder, Ramón, Nestor, Lombardo, Rinaldo, Raul, Miss Viola, Mrs. Astrakhan, Michelle, Humans
• Enemies: Noah the Elder (formerly), Eggbert the Elder (formerly), The Elders (formerly), Doomberg, Boss Skua, Skuas, Brokebeak, Francesco

Trivia

• Memphis is named after Memphis, Tennessee, where Elvis lived.
  • Interestingly, Memphis also shares his name with a real-life penguin that set the world record for the longest known lifespan of an emperor penguin.
• In the draft, Memphis is called Wishful.
• His voice actor Hugh Jackman and Mrs Astrakhan’s voice actress Miriam Margoyles also appeared in Flushed Away which both movies are released in November and both films featuring Hugh Jackman.
• He is voiced by Hugh Jackman who is best known for his portrayal of Wolverine in the X-Men film series. Jackman did an Elvis Presley impersonation for both the speaking and singing parts.
  • He is also voiced by Christopher Corey Smith in the video game who also voices various anime characters like Spandam in One Piece and in cartoon characters like Tom Dupain in Miraculous Ladybug.
• in the first draft his heartsong was originally Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley .

Gallery

The Happy Feet Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Memphis.