Was Matilda Always a Girl in Angry Birds? The Surprising History of the White Bird
The short answer is no, Matilda was not always a girl in the Angry Birds universe. This beloved character, known for her nurturing nature and distinctive design, has a surprising origin story that involves a significant gender swap early in the franchise’s development. Initially, Matilda, or rather, the bird that would become Matilda, was conceived as a male character.
The Genesis of the White Bird: A Male Beginning
Back before 2012, when the Angry Birds characters were primarily identified by their colors, the character that would eventually become Matilda was simply known as the White Bird. At this early stage, the White Bird was envisioned as a male character. This might come as a surprise to many fans who are familiar with Matilda’s current iteration.
The Inevitable Shift: Why Matilda Became Female
The reason for the gender change is rather pragmatic and quite amusing. As the development team at Rovio delved deeper into the characters and their roles, they realized a fundamental issue: “dudes don’t usually lay eggs.” The need for a character who could be responsible for egg-related storylines, particularly the hatching and care of the baby birds, necessitated a shift in the White Bird’s gender. This realization led to the White Bird being redesigned and reborn as the female character, Matilda.
Matilda’s Design Evolution: Honoring the Past
The transition from a male White Bird to a female Matilda wasn’t simply a matter of changing pronouns. The developers at Rovio took great care in reimagining the character while also paying a subtle homage to her original, male form. While the tan feathers of the original White Bird were retained, the new Matilda was given rosey cheek patterns, reminiscent of a female bird. This careful redesign ensured that Matilda felt both fresh and also connected to her earlier iterations.
Matilda’s Role and Relationships
Today, Matilda is a well-established character in the Angry Birds universe. She’s known for being a bit of a mother hen, overseeing the young Hatchlings, and being a key figure in many storylines. She’s also part of a significant relationship, being married to Terence and having four children with him. Her journey from a male character to a nurturing mother highlights the dynamic evolution of the Angry Birds characters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Matilda and the Angry Birds Universe
Is white bird in Angry Birds a girl?
Yes, the character known as White Bird is now the female character Matilda. She underwent a gender change early in the franchise’s history and is now one of the most beloved female characters in the Angry Birds universe.
How old is Matilda in Angry Birds?
In some continuities, such as Angry Birds: Summer Madness, Matilda is depicted as a 15-year-old junior counselor who looks after the young Hatchlings at camp. In other contexts, her exact age isn’t explicitly stated.
What happened to Matilda in Angry Birds?
Matilda is a prominent figure in the Angry Birds universe. She is married to Terence and they have four children. She often takes care of the eggs she and her friends found on Piggy Island, taking on a motherly role.
Was Matilda a male Angry Birds?
Yes, originally, the character who became Matilda was male, known as White Bird. The developers changed the character’s gender because of the need for a female character to lay and care for eggs.
Is Terence from Angry Birds a girl?
No, Terence is a male character despite the fact that his voice actors in Angry Birds Toons are female. His growls and deep sounds are considered typically male and his role is male throughout the franchise.
How old is Red from Angry Birds 1?
Red, the iconic main character of the franchise, is portrayed as a 13-year-old in various storylines, including Angry Birds: Summer Madness, where he’s shown as a teenage rebel.
Is Matilda a chicken in Angry Birds?
While she’s often referred to as a bird, Matilda’s design is very close to that of a chicken. She has an egg-shaped body, a beak, three strands of black hair, and her character is associated with eggs and maternal roles.
What gender is the pig in Angry Birds?
Most of the Minion Pigs are considered genderless. However, several key pigs, including the King Pig, Foreman Pig, Chef Pig, and Ross, are male.
Who is Red’s girlfriend in Angry Birds?
In Angry Birds Comics, there are hints that Stella has romantic feelings for Red. While in Angry Birds: Summer Madness, Stella is Red’s childhood friend. In some continuities Red and Silver begin a relationship,
Who is Eagle’s girlfriend in Angry Birds?
Mighty Eagle marries Zeta in a significant event on Bird Island, with Red as the chief witness.
Who is the GREY angry bird?
The grey Angry Bird is Silver. She is a highly volatile character with high energy and considerable destructive power.
Does Matilda have autism?
In some interpretations, Matilda is portrayed as having autism. She is often shown to be a passionate musician who grew up with her father, and sister Genevieve. It’s important to note this is not universal to all depictions of the character.
What is Matilda’s IQ?
The character Matilda Wormwood from the book by Roald Dahl is known for her extraordinary intelligence. Her exact IQ is never explicitly stated, however, she is known for reading advanced literature and performing complex calculations at a young age. However, this is not the Matilda from Angry Birds, the two characters share a name.
Is Matilda dark?
In the context of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, the story itself deals with dark themes such as child abuse and neglect. This is not related to the character from the Angry Birds franchise.
Who is the old bird in Angry Birds?
Shirley is portrayed as the oldest bird in the Angry Birds universe, specifically in The Angry Birds Movie and Angry Birds Evolution.