What’s the big deal about ‘Big Hero 6’?

Four months before its release, Disney’s next animated movie is getting the kind of buzz usually associated with the Avengers.

The Marvel comic

Maybe that’s because the movie is a sort of Millennial take on superheroes — the heroes are young, multicultural and high-tech. That, and it will be the first Marvel adaptation from Disney’s animation division.

“Big Hero 6” is a lighter-hearted, Americanized adaptation of the Marvel book. The central heros are the young Hiro Hamada and his robot companion, Baymax. When their city of San Fransokyo (yes, you read that right) is threatened, they pull together a team of heroes to save the day.

The original story was considerably darker: Set in Japan, the villain was conjured from the souls of atomic bombing victims.

Disney released the complete voice cast for the film today, along with images of the key players in the story. Among the voice cast: Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, Alan Turdyk. Damon Wayans Jr. Oregon-born, Tokyo-raised actor Ryan Potter will star as Hiro Hamada and Scott Adsit will voice Baymax the robot.

Rudolph, Cromwell and Turdyk have supporting roles: Rudolph provides the voice for Aunt Cass, Hiro’s guardian; Cromwell voices a robotics professor; and Turdyk provides the voice for a tech guru who is impressed by Hiro’s skills.

“Big Hero 6” is scheduled for release Nov. 7. Here’s a look at the new art released today, along with Disney’s descriptions of the lead characters:

Voiced by Ryan Potter (“Supah Ninjas,” “Senior Project”), robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada has the mind of a genius—and the heart of a 14-year-old: his state-of-the-art battle-bots dominate the underground bot fights held in the dark corners of San Fransokyo. Fortunately, big brother Tadashi redirects Hiro’s brilliance, inspiring him to put his brain to the test in a quest to gain admission to the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. When a tragic event changes everything, Hiro turns to a robot named Baymax, and they form an unbreakable bond—and two-sixths of a band of high-tech heroes on a very important mission.

Scott Adsit (“30 Rock,” “St. Vincent”) provides the voice of the world’s most compassionate robot. Baymax cares. That’s what he was designed to do. The plus-sized inflatable robot’s job title is technically Healthcare Companion: With a simple scan, Baymax can detect vital stats, and given a patient’s level of pain, can treat nearly any ailment. Conceived and built by Tadashi Hamada, Baymax just might revolutionize the healthcare industry. But to the inventor’s kid brother Hiro, the nurturing, guileless bot turns out to be more than what he was built for—he’s a hero, and quite possibly Hiro’s closest friend. And after some deft reprogramming that includes a rocket fist, super strength and rocket thrusters that allow him to fly, Baymax becomes one of the Big Hero 6.

Voiced by T.J. Miller (HBO’s “Silicon Valley,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2”), fanboy Fred comes off like a laid-back dude with no direction. But this sign-twirling, monster-loving, comic-book aficionado is sure to go places—when he’s good and ready. For example, Fred doesn’t hesitate to join Big Hero 6, and he has a lot of ideas for his super-hero skillset, too. His ferocious, fire-breathing alter ego comes complete with claws, integrated communications and a super bounce. But his sign-spinning may still come in handy.

Jamie Chung (“Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,” “Once Upon A Time,” “The Hangover Part II & Part III”) steps up as the voice of the aptly named Go Go Tomago, who knows what it takes to be fast. She’s tough, athletic and loyal to the bone, but not much of a conversationalist. Popping bubble gum and delivering well-placed sarcasm are totally her speed. The daredevil adrenaline junkie is at her best on wheels, and when Go Go joins forces with Big Hero 6, she rolls like never before, using maglev discs as wheels, shields and throwing weapons.

Genesis Rodriguez (“Tusk” and “Run All Night”) was called on to help bring Honey Lemon to life. It’s elemental when it comes to chemistry whiz Honey Lemon. Don’t let her glasses and funky fashion fool you: Honey may be as sweet as her namesake, but she has a fire in her belly and a can-do attitude that make her pretty much unstoppable. Her knowledge of alchemy proves powerful, too, when the effusive brainiac becomes part of the Big Hero 6 and creates clever concoctions that when thrown, can get her team out of nearly any jam.

Damon Wayans Jr. (“Let’s Be Cops,” “Happy Endings”) provides the voice of Wasabi, who’s committed to precision. He’s super smart and just a touch neurotic, but the big and burly neatnik can’t help but join the cause when Hiro needs him most. As part of Big Hero 6, Wasabi amplifies his martial arts skills with jaw-dropping plasma blade weaponry. Sharp doesn’t even begin to describe this guy.