'It's Wonderful': John DiMaggio & Sasha Knight Went All In On 'Adventure Time: Side Quests'
Adventure Time: Side Quests (2026) has proven to be a very fun addition to the world of Ooo. While Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (2023) carries on the legacy of Finn and Jake in some unexpected ways, Side Quests returns to the era of the original episodes in Adventure Time (2010), with an emphasis on silly adventures, goofy morals, and embracing fun above all else. To replicate those original vibes, the show has brought back one of the original stars of the show, John DiMaggio, to reprise his performance as Jake.
The legendary voice actor, probably best known for his work as Bender in Futurama (1999), slides back into the role of Jake the Dog with ease. Alongside him is Sasha Knight, who takes over the role of Finn and finds the same level of goofball enthusiasm and heroic sincerity that made Jeremy Shada so good in the role originally. During an interview with JustWatch, John and Sasha discussed the joys of getting to play in the Adventure Time sandbox, what makes these characters so timeless, and their favorite movies and shows outside of Ooo.
JW: As performers, what excites you the most about getting to play in the massive sandbox that is Adventure Time?
John DiMaggio: I mean, the fact that you just called it a ‘sandbox’ is so accurate. It’s just wonderful. It’s a wonderful place that is so vast; the number of adventures and the type of adventures you could go on with these characters is unlimited.
Sasha Knight: I agree. I feel like it's such a unique and imaginative space. There is just so much there that you can explore in a show like Side Quests. There are just so many different types of adventures that we get to go on. It's all in the same world, which I think is so cool.
Sasha, you had so much previous material from Jeremy Shada to look at when figuring out your take on Finn. What was it like molding your own version of the character while staying true to what Jeremy had done before?
Sasha: I feel like I'm very similar to Finn in a lot of ways. People have told me that he's my spirit animal. [Laughter]. I think the main thing that I wanted to bring from Jeremy's performance… There is something so fun-loving about Finn that I think so many people resonate with. He's just so goofy, especially in the early season, specifically. I think that I really wanted to bring that energy to it. He's just someone you want to hang out with. I think that I just really wanted to bring that into the performance.
John: I just want to say, I think he’s doing a great job with it. Sasha is killing it.
John, what is it about Jake as a character that made you not only want to return to the character but be excited to step back into that role?
John: I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the paycheck. [Laughter]. No, I'm kidding. Seriously, I've had a lot of things come back around in my career, and it's always just a joy. Jake the Dog is just the special guy, and the relationship that he has with Finn throughout the entire Adventure Time series is a special one. To get to revisit that world is just a joy. It’s just fantastic. We've talked about the land of Ooo, it is this massive place, and there are so many different characters. There are so many different opportunities for so many adventures.
There are so many stories to be told. It’s just a thrill. It’s great, and it’s fun to have a wonderful scene partner to work with. The kid is doing a fantastic job. I’m really going to [Sasha] into an egomaniac, because I’ve been really talking him up today. He’s just that good at this part. He’s a good kid. I think once the fans hear him – I know certain fandoms get very specific with certain characters.
They’re very specific about what they like. I really have a feeling they’re going to get right back into it with Sasha. I love Jeremy; Jeremy is my boy – I mean, I watched Jeremy grow from a boy to a man. Now he’s got kids of his own. Now I get the opportunity to watch Sasha grow into a young man on this show. I really want this to be a success for him and for us and for the fans. I really have a good feeling about it.
I do also want to take this opportunity to tell you how much my son has been loving you as Aquaman in Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008).
John: Thank you! I love that show. Getting to sing a couple of numbers is always great. I always love that. That's another thing about this show: there have been so many great songs in Side Quests too.
This interview is for JustWatch, and we’re always excited to find out what actors and creators like to watch. What are some of your favorite shows and movies?
John: I just love Peaky Blinders (2013). I love Cillian in that lead role. I mean, I've never seen a guy who is about 5’7, 5’8 look like he's 6’4. He’s just amazing in that show. I love the characters in that show… I also love Euphoria (2019). I just finished with my wife, and that last episode was heavy.
Sasha: This is definitely a movie that a lot of people have seen, but one of my favorite movies is The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009). It's such a good movie. Every person who hasn't seen it needs to watch it, because it's just so good. I love that movie so much.
Adventure Time: Side Quests is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
