Sizing Up Sy: Nika Futterman

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Sizing Up Sy: Nika Futterman

Say what you will about her singing in Return of the Jedi — Sy Snootles just got a whole lot more interesting after tonight’s episode of The Clone Wars, “Hunt for Ziro.”

Nika Futterman, who we spoke to previously about her role as the voice of Asajj Ventress, shows just what kind of range she brings to The Clone Wars with her portrayal of the quirky, clever Sy Snootles. While Sy appears to present a polar opposite to the vicious, plotting Asajj Ventress, we suspect the two may have more in common than meets the eye.

We asked Futterman a few questions about her portrayal of Sy, and if she thinks the lounge singer and dark assassin could ever pal around:

Let’s just get this out of the way up front: who’d belt out a better “Witchy Woman” by the Eagles — Asajj or Sy?

Sy of course! Asajj isn’t a singer. Ask me who’s a better witch and I’ll tell you Asajj all the way! Besides, Asajj never “performs” — she’s as real as you can get! Sy, on the other hand, never stops performing!

Sy Snootles is certainly a change for you in terms of characterization. Were you able to draw anything from her brief performance in Return of the Jedi?

No, I actually created my own Sy…just based on what I thought of her visually and where the story was going. I had an idea that just sort of came to me. In the world of voice over…nothing is really a stretch. You’re not limited by your own physicality…or what people think of you because of it. I’ve been able to do many kinds of characters that people wouldn’t ever guess was me.

There seems an undeniable hint of “Betty Boop-ness” about Sy — was this intentional?

You know that’s a funny question…I never really thought of Betty Boop with Sy. I actually thought of her as a mix of Macy Gray, Jennifer Tilly, and Eartha Kitt with a sneaky Bond girl thrown in. She definitely uses her sexuality to manipulate…but she’s very smart.

Asajj and Sy appear very different, but I imagine they’ve got a few things in common. Do you think they could ever hang out?

I think they share a bit of that Eartha Kitt vibe, but that’s where the similarities end. Asajj is sexy…but she doesn’t try to be, and she certainly doesn’t use her sexuality to manipulate. She relies on her other abilities, her incredible strength and intelligence. She also has no time for chit-chatting. She’s on a mission and no one is going to get in the way of that. I’m not sure Asajj could “befriend” anyone. She lost that desire a long time ago when she lost everyone she cared about in one way or another. Sy on the other hand is cunning and has plenty of time for a cocktail if it will further her cause…which of course is herself.

It would seem Sy turned against the number one Hutt in her life — any chance we’ll see similar behavior from Asajj as the season unfolds?

Put it this way…without giving away anything…if you cross Asajj, you better be ready to pay the full price for it! Something is going down, and it is BIG!