The voice of Patrick Star, Bill Fagerbakke, explains SpongeBob to us… AsSponge Out Of Waterarrives on DVD, he spared us some time for a chat.

That was the only proper companion they ever really did to the film.

That was a cool ride.

It was another time I worked with Clancy Brown too.

The session director was Sue Blue, and it was so much fun.

That the characters have space to be a little more offbeat?

Looking down the credits of what youve done, these roles must be quite freeing?

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Oh yeah.

That is definitely something I never lose sight of.

The joys of that quality.

Thats the inherent appeal of animation, not just to children, but to everyone.

But kids, theres some kind of visceral appreciation of animation.

Its not bounded by these realities that their young, creative and insane minds are trying to grapple with.

Their imaginations are just so fertile.

I should bring up Studio GhiblisPorco Rosso, then.

You were involved in the English dub for that?

Theyll try things that they ordinarily wouldnt.

I am essentially a child at heart, and thats something thats never lost on me.

It starts with the liberation of the writers imagination.

Its so much fun.

To see if the story has got across to them.

I had no idea where to start withSponge Out Of Water!

Thatd be some achievement!

[Laughs] Oh dear, the pressures on!

Its part of the appeal of our cartoon.

To really get to go with every goofy impulse… Thats what you get from the movie.

The writers are so good.

It was really a treat for us to have Stephen Hillenburg, the creator, back in the fold.

We did really love the film, and weve been catching up withSpongeBobever since.

Were so used to such controlled family entertainment.

Thats the beauty of a Pixar screenplay.

Thats something that a lot of fans like.

In a strange way, it doesnt feel as safe, but in a good way.

Its less shaped, and curved, and less controlled.

How does the mechanic change then when it comes to a movie?

But when it comes to a feature, did it pan out the same way?

Could you all still come together to do your recording?

We have so much fun.

It seemed endless, because were used to the television pace.

Wed stopped doing the TV series so they could do the film.

We were down for almost two and a half years, so it was kind of agony.

We were more accustomed to the different pace.

A Tweet went out earlier in the year thatSpongeBob 3is already being considered.

Are you keener that the balance between the TV show and future films is kept in tandem?

I think were just going to have to figure that out as we go along.

This is such an unusual template for a cable outfit.

Nickelodeon is just this little cable mechanism that cranks out stuff.

Well see how it goes.

Im a little nervous!

How did you feel when the box office numbers started coming in?

That opening weekend was so great.

Thats an unusual circumstance.

One last question: one of Britains finest exports is clearly Jason Statham.

Do you have a favourite of one of his films?

I really enjoyed that one that was out last year, that was shot in the States.

The guy with the very intrigue-filled past, trying to live a normal life?

I think it was based on a thriller novel.

Hes brought back into a world of crime and action…

Homefront!

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

That was just him being a badass, it was so much fun.

I enjoyed him a lot inSpytoo!

Bill Fagerbakke, thank you very much!

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Wateris out now on DVD, Blu-ray and streaming services.