Justin Roiland is best known as the animator, voice actor, writer, producer, and director behind the animated sitcom Rick and Morty, but he’s also passionate about video games, having founded a studio called Squanch Games in 2016. According to a tweet that the High on Life studio shared today, Roiland resigned from the studio on January 16, 2023, and while no reason was given, it likely has to do with the felony domestic abuse charges that the creator is facing. Roiland has also been kicked off Rick and Morty; his voice roles will be recast.
From The Hollywood Reporter:
Adult Swim has cut ties with Justin Roiland in the wake of the news that the Rick and Morty co-creator was charged with felony domestic abuse in Orange County.
“Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland,” Adult Swim/Cartoon Network/Boomerang senior vp communications Marie Moore said in a statement Tuesday.
Adult Swim distributes Rick and Morty, the hit adult animation comedy that Roiland co-created and executive produced, and for which he voiced both the titular Rick and Morty. As The Hollywood Reporter reported on Jan. 17, Adult Swim isn’t even halfway through a massive 70-episode order for the show, one of the brand’s most popular titles, commissioned by the channel in 2018.
Sources say Rick and Morty is set to continue, with Roiland’s voice roles to be recast. Though Roiland will always be credited as co-creator, fellow co-creator Dan Harmon will now be the lone showrunner. The show is locked in through season 10.
— Squanch Games (@SquanchGames) January 25, 2023