Justin Roiland, co-creator, executive producer and star of Adult Swim’s flagship animated series Rick and Morty, is no longer in business with the Warner Bros Discovery brand in the aftermath of serious domestic violence allegations against him coming to light earlier this month. Up to now he has provided the voices of both Rick and Morty, but now those roles will be recast.
Roiland has been charged with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit by the Orange County District Attorney’s office. The incident in question against a Jane Doe allegedly occurred in January 2020, according to a May 2020 complaint. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2020. The semi-sealed case was kept out of the public until a hearing January 12, 2023. Roiland, who was present, also is required to attend a scheduled April 27 hearing.
Roiland is also co-creator/executive producer and voice cast member of Hulu’s animated series Solar Opposites as well as a performer on the streamer’s animated comedy Koala Man.
Roiland was also CEO of Squanch Games, the developer of the popular PC game High on Life. The studio, which was also co-founded by Roiland, said it received his resignation on January 16, 2023. In a brief statement shared online, the Squanch Games team said it will “keep developing games we know our fans will love while continuing to support and improve High On Life.”
Roiland’s attorney has insisted that his client is innocent, noting that “we also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorney’s office has completed its methodical review of the evidence.”
No trial date has been set, but Roiland could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
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