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A Wrinkle in Time – DVD/Blu-ray Giveaway Plus Q&A with Deric McCabe

Lolli — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 14:18:48 +0000

Disney invited me to Los Angeles last month as part of the #AWrinkleInTimeBluray, #HanSoloEvent, #ABCTVEvent and #PeterPanBluray press event. Travel, accommodations, and a review copy of A Wrinkle In Time blu-ray were provided, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used in this post.

A Wrinkle in Time was one of the most impactful and memorable books from my childhood. Did you read A Wrinkle in Time when you were a kid? I read the books over and over again, then checked out every single book Madeleine L’Engle wrote because I loved her so much. I was so excited when the movie A Wrinkle in Time was announced, and now I’m equally thrilled to add the DVD/blu-ray to our home collection.

Storm Reid is Meg Murry, Deric McCabe is Charles Wallace Murry and Reese Witherspoon is Mrs. Whatsit in Disney’s A WRINKLE IN TIME.

About A Wrinkle In Time

More than 50 years after Madeleine L’Engle’s young adult novel “A Wrinkle in Time” was awarded the prestigious Newbery Medal, the big-screen retelling of this timeless classic takes audiences on a transformative journey, exquisitely illustrated through jaw-dropping visual effects, a stirring musical score and diverse, star-studded cast. Three celestial guides, Mrs. Which (two-time Academy Award® nominee Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Oscar®, Golden Globe® and Emmy® winner Reese Witherspoon) and Mrs. Who (Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling), come to Earth to share their wisdom and love with struggling eighth-grader Meg Murry (Storm Reid) as she journeys across dimensions with classmate Calvin (Levi Miller) and younger brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) in search of her father (Chris Pine), a world-renowned physicist who mysteriously disappeared four years ago.

A Wrinkle in Time is now available to own. Get your copy HERE or enter to WIN a copy at the bottom of this post.

PS – don’t miss these Wrinkle in Time printable activity pages!

Q&A with Deric McCabe (Charles Wallace)

Deric McCabe plays Charles Wallace Murry, Meg’s younger brother and co-adventurer in A Wrinkle in Time. He was delightful in the film, but even MORE delightful in person. What an amazing, positive, energetic, purely joyful boy! And FULL of personality!

We sat down with Deric for a Q&A session. Here are some of the highlights of our chat.

How did you get this part?

“They called me and so then I went there and then I was nervous and then they called me back and then I went there in a different scene and then I went back super nervous. And then I went back and back and back and back and back.”

So, it was a long process.

“Yeah.”

What helped you get through the nervousness?

“What helped me? My parents. They did because they were like, don’t worry. They may call you back. They’re going to call you back. And then the time where Ava called me, my mom was like ‘oh, here, it’s for you.’ And I was like, ‘Okay. Hello.’ Not thinking it was going to be Ava, and she’s like ‘hi.’ And I was like, ‘who are you?’ She’s like, ‘Oh, I’m Ava, the one that was doing the auditions.’ I was like ‘wow, hello.’ She was like ‘oh, I was wondering if you would like to work with me on A Wrinkle in Time.’ And I was like, ‘yes. That would be great.'”

Do you remember the moment when you knew you wanted to be an actor?

“This is going to sound really silly. But I was watching the Avengers with my dad. Hi. I was watching the Avengers with my dad and I just saw Scarlett Johansson and I was like oh, I want to do that. And I was like, and I’m going to meet her. So, then I was like, I think I want to do acting. So, they put me into acting and now here I am talking to all you mommy bloggers.”

Do you have siblings and what is your relationship with them?

“I have a baby brother. I tell him that Hulk is bad. No, this is the reason. I have a crush on Scarlett Johansson. And Hulk and Scarlett Johansson just did a movie and I said Hulk, bad, Scarlett Johansson, good. He’s two. And then I have a sister who’s 12 and she’s pretty nice with new people.”

Who are your other acting heroes?

“Okay, so I said Scarlett Johansson. And Chloe Bennett. Just them. You know, they are delightful. You know, I haven’t met them. They are hot and they love me even though they don’t know me. So, that’s one thing.”

What was something you learned in making this movie?

“Oh, I learned the place where they keep their snacks. It’s delicious.”

What was your favorite snack?

“Oh, candy. Oh, and the popcorn maker. Do you want to know why?

“The first time I met Oprah, they make this a really good popcorn and they make butter on it and put some cheddar on it and we were doing stunt practice for the cave, and they said sit down on a mat and then it wasn’t her turn yet. It was Storm, Levi and I’s turn and she just started eating my popcorn. And she was like, who’s popcorn is this? This is delicious. I’m like ‘oh, that’s me. Oprah’s eating my popcorn.'”

Mindy Kaling is Mrs. Who, Levi Miller is Calvin O’Keefe, Oprah Winfrey is Mrs. Which, Zach Galifianakis is the Happy Medium, Storm Reid is Meg Murry, Deric McCabe is Charles Wallace Murry and Reese Witherspoon is Mrs. Whatsit in Disney’s A WRINKLE IN TIME.

What were your experiences with Mindy Kaling and Reese Witherspoon?

“Mindy, I loved her because, but I didn’t love her only because I couldn’t talk to her. Because she’s always speaking quotes. I couldn’t hear her real words. I was like ‘hey how’s it going?’ And she’s like ‘blah, blah, blah, American.’ But it was only for the scene. But I did actually talk to her. We had some very good conversations.

“And then with Reese, that was amazing. She always gave me hugs on set. They always cut and we’d all just start talking and talking and talking. And then we film the scene. Cut. Talking and talking.”

What are some of your favorite memories from filming A Wrinkle in Time?

“Oh, the hallway seen. The stuntmen were pulling them and they couldn’t see because they couldn’t be in the shot so I stopped and they kept going and I fell on top of all three of them.”

Did they get that on film?

“On DVD. So, get the DVD everyone.”

What was your favorite scene of the movie?

“My favorite scene was the cabbage creature what’s-it scene where she’s just flying. We actually got to be in a robot arm. It’s just this arm colored blue and just juggles me. And then Levi got to do flips and Storm was in a harness. So that was cool.”

Do you have any advice for kids who want to get started in acting?

“Oh, when you don’t get any jobs, keep the faith. Yeah, I think that’s good.”

What is your biggest goal or wish that you have for your career?

“My biggest wish. Probably to work with Scarlett Johansson. Just to work with them (the Avengers), that would be amazing. Especially because they’re always superheroes and I want to be a superhero.”

Which superhero would you choose to be?

“I want to create my own. I don’t want to be another superhero. But I do want to be part of the Avengers. That would be great.”

What was the hardest scene for you to film?

“The end scene. It’s a little brain. That was disgusting. And I had to cry in it so that was hard. And Ava was like, ‘okay, we’re going to do this.’ And the brain was super sticky. It kept sticking to my back. So, I was thinking of something to try. And the wardrobe person comes up and says ‘hey, you have something in your back. Can you stand up and get it?’ And I’m like, ‘oh, I was just in the middle of almost crying.’

“‘This will just take a second.’ Five minutes later, ‘hey, you have stuff on your back. We don’t want that in the scene. Can I have it?’ I was just about to cry. Yeah, that was hard.”

How did you teach yourself how to cry?

“Thinking of my baby brother that was hurt, injured. I did have an acting coach. John, I love you. I had an acting coach that was on set with me every day.”

Deric McCage is Charles Wallace Murry in Disney’s A WRINKLE IN TIME.

How important was it to you to be a part of this film being part Filipino and Ava wanting a lot of diversity?

“It was really important. Not only that, but it was really important to me in the film because not only am I Filipino but this is my first big role. And I did, oh, yes, nodding heads, that’s great. It was my first big role that I’ve done so, that was really important to me.”

Where do you get your positivity from?

“Oh, my dad. I get that from my dad.”

Storm Reid is Meg Murry, Deric McCabe is Charles Wallace Murry and Levi Miller is Calvin O’Keefe in Disney’s A WRINKLE IN TIME.

About A Wrinkle in Time Blu-ray

Bonus features include BLU-RAY & DIGITAL HD):

• A Journey Through Time – Take an up-close look at the making of this magnificent movie with Director Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, and the cast and crew.
• Deleted Scenes (with optional director audio commentary)

Ant on a String
Aunt Beast
Meg Learns About Calvin’s Dad
Papergirl

• Audio Commentary

Director Ava DuVernay
Producer Jim Whitaker
Co-Screenwriter Jennifer Lee
Production designer Naomi Shohan
First assistant director Michael Moore
Editor Spencer Averick
VFX supervisor Rich McBride

• Bloopers
• Original Songs/Music Videos

“I Believe” performed by DJ Khaled featuring Demi Lovato
“Warrior” performed by Chloe x Halle

Bonus features may vary by retailer. Get your copy here!

WIN! A Wrinkle in Time Blu-ray Giveaway

One reader will win a copy of A Wrinkle in Time (provided by Disney)! Simply enter on the giveaway widget below. US addresses only, please. This giveaway will close on 6/19/2018 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Want more? Click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event/Peter Pan Bluray coverage.

Woody Harrelson is Beckett in SOLO: A Star Wars Story #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Fri, 25 May 2018 16:11:12 +0000

Many thanks to Disney for inviting me on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is finally out in theaters, and I can’t wait for you to see it!

Meet TOBIAS BECKETT

There is no question that Beckett is a survivor. Seasoned, taciturn, and all-business, Beckett quietly works out all the angles to come out ahead. He’s put together a team of specialized thieves to carry out risky but profitable heists, which he carefully plans and executes.

That’s the official character bio for Woody Harrelson’s new character. But how would he describe his character, Tobias Beckett?

Woody Harrelson is Beckett in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Woody said, “Well, I think in some ways, he’s complicated in the sense that he’s not always as chummy as he could be, but I’d say he’s a survivor who really also does have this image of life, wanting to be done with this life of Criminality, and ultimately, just be playing the valachord, living on a remote planet somewhere.”

In what ways is Woody Harrelson like his character, Beckett? Apparently, not much.

Woody Harrelson is Beckett and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Woody explained, “I don’t think I’m that (much) like Beckett. He’s a bit of a hardass, and he’s kind of tough on Han. I think it’s probably good if you’re gonna want to try to make someone into a very street smart Survivor in that Universe, maybe that’s how he had to be. But I wouldn’t be like that. I’m like the most….I can’t even discipline my own child. I don’t know how to do it because I always say to myself, ‘Well, I would do that. So how can I be telling her…?'”

I loved that he was such a tough love mentor to Han in the movie. We asked, “In real life, who has been that kind of tough love mentor to you?” Woody responded, “I feel like to some degree, Jack Nicholson. He lives not far from where I have a place here in LA, even though I live in Maui but the kids didn’t want to ever give it up. I still have it and it’s not far from Jack’s and I would go over quite a bit to his place and sit and reason, and talk story, and he did….he’s given a lot of cool advice.”

Woody Harrelson – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Do you remember the first time YOU saw Star Wars? Woody Harrelson remembers the first time he saw the original Star Wars movie in the theater. He said, “Yeah, I remember it ’cause, you probably won’t believe this, but I was alive in 1977 and you know, it was a huge thing at the time like everybody was all about Star Wars. It became a sensation. And so I just remember going to see it and it was so original, so different from anything else and all of it (was) great.”

I’m sure the opportunity to enter the Star Wars universe was an incredible experience!

When asked which character from the original Star Wars Trilogy he would have loved to be, Woody replied, “Who wouldn’t want to be Solo, man? Such a good–but I mean also, it was written really well, obviously. Lucas created these great characters but I guess what Harrison brought to it and now what Alden is bringing to it is making that character just so special, so fun, and funny.”

Thandie Newton is Val, Woody Harrelson is Beckett and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

I could tell that Woody had a ton of respect for Alden Ehrenreich, who played Han Solo in the movie. Despite Woody’s experience in Hollywood, I love that he was able to find things to learn from the younger actor.

Woody said, “Love Alden, love him, awesome, awesome guy. Really hard worker. I mean, very hard worker, ’cause there would be these humungous sets and then there would be these little spots, it’s like a little cloth room. You might have something to lay down on or chair, makeup thing, whatever. So we’d all have our little cubicles and he was next to me and he’d be in there like taking piano lessons. He’d be in there reading novels. I’m over there playing Speed Chess online. Screaming. The whole set’s like ‘What the he(ck)? He just lost his queen.’ I really admire his work ethic and I think just the way he cultivates himself as a human, he’s an extraordinary guy. He’s not just like a silly dopey party animal like some actors coming up or like I was coming up.”

Woody Harrelson – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Woody Harrelson has certainly created a legacy of amazing and diverse roles during his time in Hollywood. But we were curious what HE wanted his personal legacy to be.

His response, “Well, I hope just generally, it’s a smiling type of legacy instead of a frowning type. I mean, I do prefer comedy (even though) I’ve gotten into a little bit of a Drama bubble. I would like to make people laugh, and hopefully, they’ll think of me and laugh.”

Woody Harrelson – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Speaking of leaving a legacy of happiness, one of our group members complimented Woody by saying, “You always seem so happy” and asked, “What is your life-hack for happiness?”

Woody, with his perpetual smile, said, “Well, thank you for saying that. I do feel like a pretty genuinely happy person. And I think a big part of it is just gratitude. I’m very grateful for the life I have. I feel like all of us who do movies and probably all of you who write about movies, we’re breathing a bit of a rarified air. And I feel really lucky because there was a point in which I kind of gave up and it was early on. I hadn’t even got a job yet and I just was like, I think I can’t do it. And I don’t know how to crack it. And so yeah gratitude. Life-hack.”

Group photo with Woody Harrelson – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Be sure to catch Woody Harrelson as Beckett in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, in theaters everywhere!

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37, The New Droid on the Block #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Thu, 24 May 2018 19:40:09 +0000

I am so thankful to Disney for inviting me on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Meet L3-37

L3-37 is Lando’s co-pilot and a self-made droid assembled from astromech and protocol parts. Despite her make-up, L3-37 is an enlightened navigator who cares deeply about droid rights.

L3-37 (and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s superior acting and stellar personality) stole the show for me. She was my favorite new character, and full of laughable moments. You are going to LOVE L3-37!

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

A New Star Wars Fan is Born

Did you know that Phoebe Waller-Bridge was not only NOT a Star Wars fan before working on this movie, but she had never seen a Star Wars movie before. She said, “Yeah, I hadn’t seen any of the films. I think there’s like five of us in the world. Which I think in some ways might’ve worked in my favor, especially from the droid perspective, because I was very loose in the audition with the idea of what a droid was.”

After being physically “loose” in her audition and said that the people conducting the audition said, “Wow, you’re taking the story thing very lightly.” Phoebe responded, “Oh, is she not a person?”

Of course, she loved the film and is totally obsessed with Star Wars now.

Donald Glover is Lando Calrissian and Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37 in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Interestingly, Phoebe was actually in costume and acting along with the other characters. When we asked her to explain that process, she said, “Well, I had loads of fittings. I mean, the weirdest thing is, you get a kind of scan at the very beginning. I got a scan of my whole body, and then they build a complete replica of your body. And then they’d build this suit around it, so it fits perfectly. And so I had this green suit, skin-tight, really attractive green leggings and leotard. And then, on top of that, I had the kind of legs drilled onto me, and the arms, and the chest plate, and then the head.

“But it was the first time that they’d created a droid that could kind of move properly and be more flexible. And I could move all of my joints. Because she’s a self-made droid, so she created herself to be as flexible, bigger, faster, stronger, than any other droids that she would’ve met.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37 in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

L3-37 is such a warm and humorous character that it’s easy to forget that she’s a droid. We asked Phoebe how she was able to bring such heart and humor to a character that’s not even flesh and blood, she responded with a smile.

“Aw, well, I can’t take full credit for that. The script does that. But I think you have to sort of start at the heart, with any character, no matter what they’re made out of. And I felt like she had a huge amount of heart and passion, and even though she sort of wakes up halfway through the film to what her passion is, and it’s nice, knowing you’re building to something like that as well. And humor as well. Where there’s humor there’s heart and I think she’s got a lot of it.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

On preparing to play a droid, Phoebe said, “I was ready to do all sorts of preparation for that. I was like, “Do you want me to work out? So I can carry the suit stronger?” And they were just like, “no, no, that little weird awkward walk you’re doing is actually perfect”. And the same with the voice. I think the vision that John Larry had from the writing point of view, and then you know, carrying on through the whole production. Because she’s created herself, she’s built herself to be more — not like, more human, but more relaxed, in her voice, and her body, and everything. I would offer something droid-y, they would be like ‘Stop that, pull it back. Be more natural.’”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

We were curious how much ad-libbing Phoebe was able to do with her character. Phoebe explained,

“We were allowed to go off-beat — once we got the script, then there’d be a kind of little pass around with John and he’d be like, ‘Does anyone else have any ideas’ or ‘Let’s just kind to be a bit looser with the scene.’ And so we did get to do that a few times. And then if anything good came out of it, then they would do a take of that. It was really fun. I mean, the whole atmosphere on set was just so fun. And encouraging. And everyone was just so excitable, and it was just like, ‘Ooh, that’s a good idea, let’s do that.’ It was really nice.”

What about L3’s sass? Is Phoebe sassy in real life? Phoebe knocked that one down pretty quickly, “No, I’m afraid not, no. I can dream of being sassy though.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37 in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

When asked about L3-37’s stance on droid awareness, Phoebe said, “It’s so cool that she’s got a cause, you know. She’s like a social justice warrior, and she’s a droid with an agenda that goes beyond her own existence, and that’s very unique. It’s good to have a message.”

Advise from the Set

Working with such legendary filmmakers and actors must be an incredible experience, and we wanted to know what Phoebe took away from the experience.

On working alongside Donald Glover and Ron Howard, said said, “It was more sort of hanging out — I mean, they are both so relaxed and such consummate professionals. But there’s a real sense of just being able to be really present with both of them, and I really learned that from them. Just letting go of everything and letting your instincts speak first.”

She went on to say more about working with Ron Howard, “I mean, he’s a master. But also, I was sort of ready to meet Ron Howard, you know, the king. And then he comes in, and he’s just like, ‘Hey. How’s it going?’ So friendly, and makes everyone feel so relaxed, and you can just feel instantly why people just want to work with him over and over again. Because he’s so clear. His eye is so brilliant, and he’s incredibly kind and very, very clever. So you feel very safe.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Despite the fact that she didn’t start out a Star Wars fan, Phoebe certainly ended as one. And she recognized the importance of her involvement in a Star Wars movie. Two main moments stuck out to her:

She said, “…there was the scene in the Falcon, that was a big one when you involuntarily scream, and I did that when I saw the Falcon, and I did that when I met Chewie. But the big one really came, like, two weeks after we’d wrapped, and then I was just on a bus going to go and get a sandwich for my love somewhere in London. And I suddenly just went, ‘What just happened?’ I called my sister. And I was just like, ‘Was I just in a Star Wars movie?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, Love, yeah. We came to set. We saw the whole thing.’ My God. How did that happen?”

Phoebe left us with a wonderful message that she hopes everyone watching Solo: A Star Wars Story leaves with.

“It’s a film celebrating individuality and individual causes and having courage of your own convictions. But also there are so many amazing relationships in it, and I think it’s inspiring, and the trust it takes to partner up with somebody, and I hope that inspires them as well.”

Group Photo with Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Be sure to catch Phoebe as L3-37 in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, opening in theaters everywhere on May 25 (yes, that’s tomorrow!)!

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

How Joonas Suotamo Became Chewbacca – SOLO: A Star Wars Story #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Wed, 23 May 2018 13:12:44 +0000

I am ever grateful to Disney for inviting me on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Even though SOLO is mainly a story about how Han Solo became “the” Han Solo, it is also a movie about the relationship between Han and Chewbacca – how it developed – and how Chewbacca’s character developed. Joonas has played Chewbacca before, but I was wondering how is it different in this film playing a younger Chewbacca, who was in the process of becoming the Chewy that we know.

Joonas agreed, “Right, he becomes the character. Because this movie happens in a time where the empire is expanding. And Chewbacca is in a very bad situation at the start of this film. So, I approached it as Chewbacca is very much looking for a way out and going on his own somewhere. ‘Cause he has a family. He has a commitment to his tribe. And I was very much looking forward to this, because he’s very different.

Joonas Suotamo – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

“Kind of he walks around with worry on his shoulders, because he doesn’t know where this road will take him. And this movie also shows what that new life for Chewbacca is going to be and if he will take that. And it was very interesting to do, because he doesn’t have any kind of structure in his life at that point. And we talked with Alden. We talked a lot about the arc of their friendship and how to start that journey together so that the audience will see the development and also the downs and the ups of that relationship. And it was very important to get right, because we all wanna see how that relationship started.”

Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

I know that the budding relationship between Chewbacca and Han Solo was one of my favorite parts of the movie. I certainly didn’t expect the situation in which they met for the first time! I can’t wait for my family to see the movie this weekend (opening May 25!) so we can discuss.

How Joonas Suotamo Became Chewbacca

Joonas Suotamo – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

What a fun (and unconventional) story! Joonas explained, “I got the role out of the blue sky came a call one day from the Finnish Basketball Association, who had received a request for a person who has blue eyes, is seven feet tall. Yeah, anyone could find that guy. And so the casting (department) was pretty desperate at that point to find one. And they called me and I said immediately ‘I’m interested.’ Didn’t take a second to think about it. We didn’t know what the role was. So, I just said, yes, whatever it is, I’m in.

“And I filmed a video of me playing a caveman, half naked in my old high school gym. Just the kind of video where I go like [GRUNTS], just playing this cave man who gets shot in the knee with an arrow and stuff like that. They wanted to see if I could do the acting required for the film. And then, four or five months it took to really go through the process. And at the end of it, I received a call, ‘Congrats, you are gonna play Chewbacca.”

After he got the role, we wondered how long it took him to master speaking Wookiee? Luckily Joonas is a fast learner. He responded, “When they told me I’m gonna meet Harrison Ford the next day, it took me that 24 hours.”

Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Speaking of meeting Harrison Ford, Joonas described their first encounter (before filming The Force Awakens), chuckling, “It’s great. I think I was so nervous that the first thing (I said) when I saw Harrison was, “Harrison, oh boy, I wasn’t even born when you guys made these films. And he did not like that very much.”

Just a few hours after initially meeting Harrison Ford, he walked on the set of the Millennium Flacon for the first time. He said that many people on the set that day were crying, but he held back the tears. He was very conscious of how his first encounter with Harrison had gone, so he was extra careful to be professional and on his best behavior.

Other than the fact that the set smelled oddly of a hardware store, Joonas said that exploring the Millennium Falcon for the first time was “…just the marvelous thing, because your mind goes back to the times you saw the movie and the first time Luke put on that helmet and battled against the floating ball, which I still don’t know how they did that. And it’s, you know all the angles that they used. And it’s wonderful to be there, because it’s part of everyone’s childhood and memories, those places.”

Me and Chewie in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon

“And now when the Millennium Falcon is new (in Solo) and well-kept and there’s a mini bar in the corner, there is a cloak cape closet — which is more like a luxury room than a closet, it’s just wonderful to see that difference. And it goes to deepening my appreciation for the ship, because it has a history now. And, boy, I just hope nobody ever tarnishes that very sweet décor on that ship. But I guess that’s a wish that’s not gonna (come) true.”

Joonas Suotamo – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

From Basketball Player to Chewbacca

So how did a basketball player become Chewbacca, one of the most well-known and beloved characters ever? I never would have guessed how a sport could prepare a person for an acting role, but Joonas explained how his years as a basketball player shaped him into the right person to take on this character.

He said, “I think basketball certainly gifted me extra body awareness. And also the trips I made with various team and the national team of Finland and everything. I met so many wonderful players and people. And I grew up to become a very social guy. And I have always observed movements — because we had guys on our team who run with a very specific kinda way, and I’ve always loved the fact that we are different as humans. And I’ve always tried to imitate in a very loving way my teammates and how they run.

“And that has more than anything alongside with growing up with dogs and observing them when I was a kid but secretly prepared me for the role of playing Chewbacca.”

Me and Joonas Suotamo at the SOLO after party

Joonas’ next “secret” of how he was ripe for the role of Chewbacca cracked me up. He said, “We Fins have a very rich sauna tradition. So, I can withstand heat exceptionally well. Basically you could say I was born to play this role.”

Meeting the challenges of playing Chewbacca

Joonas said that one of the hardest things to get used to playing Chewbacca was being constantly poked in the eyes, since the costume is so elaborate.

But on a more serious note, he said that his biggest personal challenge with his role was “just respecting the legacy of Chewbacca, because he was played by Peter Mayhew, the legendary, original Chewbacca. And I want it to be so that the fans going to these films see the same Chewbacca who was in the original films, because Chewbacca is so loved and I would not want there to be a feeling that Chewbacca somehow feels different this time around.”

Joonas Suotamo and Peter Mayhew at the SOLO after-party

I could tell that Joonas felt very privileged to have had the chance to train and consult directly with Peter Mayhew. He explained. “I had a week long — we called it the Wookiee Bootcamp. (Trademarked, not to be used by — no, I’m just kidding.) And he showed me the original films and clips. And we looked at his walk, and he told me why he did it such a way and what he did and what was he thinking at the time. And it was so helpful, because I had done some studying up myself previously. And to hear from the master himself how and why did he do those things helped me tremendously in preparing for this role.”

It was wonderful to hear that Peter and his wife Angie met Joonas before he filmed his first Star Wars film, embraced him, and gave him their blessing. Joonas said that it was a “huge deal for me, because Star Wars is so beloved that I would hate there to be any kind of bad water when we do this. Because it’s a very significant thing and (it would) be hard to let go of something that you dedicated your life to and when the fans love you so much. But I’ve assured them that he’ll always be the original Chewbacca and there’s no one who can take away from him.”

Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Getting the “moves” right, especially with all of the action scenes in this and previous Star Wars movies, was very important to Joonas. He said, “The main obstacle (with the Wookiee suit) is the heat and the endurance throughout the day. But also it’s the fact that I gotta be careful with the suit. They don’t want me doing everything I can. If I would make a roll suddenly on the floor, Maria would be very, very angry with me. So, I have to be careful.

“But I also have to do what’s required of me by the director. And that’s something, because you gotta constantly be aware of the suit, how it moves and how it looks on camera. So, that’s why I have to go and look at the screens and after the takes and make people think that I’m sort of a diva or something. It’s just really I wanna make it look right. And I trust the directors, but I still want to see if I could do something myself to improve the next day. And that’s maybe the hardest thing. Because the moves of Chewbacca are very much something I can do as a basketball player.”

Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca, Woody Harrelson is Beckett, Emilia Clarke is Qi’ra and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Have you noticed that Chewie is always wearing a bag? Have you ever wondered what was in his bag? Wonder no more, because I’ve got the answer!

Joonas revealed, “Mainly it’s empty, but on certain days when kids come visiting the set, I usually put some chocolates or some sweets so that I can then when — after they’ve come back — after they run away frightened when I appear — when they come back I usually bribe them with sweets.”

How fitting is it that Chewie’s bag would be filled with candies for kids visiting the set?!

Be sure to catch him in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, opening in theaters everywhere on May 25!

Joonas Suotamo Group Photo – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

Paul Bettany on His Role As Dryden Vos in SOLO: A Star Wars Story #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Tue, 22 May 2018 17:47:06 +0000

If you’ve been following my #HanSoloEvent coverage this week, then you’ll know that we clapped each time that the talent walked in to our room. It caught more than a few of them off guard, and Paul Bettany was no different. His reaction? With a huge smile on his face, he said, “Look at all you lovely people! Wow.” It’s kind of a treat to be greeted by THE Paul Bettany that way.

Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

He then proceeded to show us the lock screen on his phone (a picture of his wife when she was four years old), which he said he looks at whenever she’s “really annoying.” When asked how often he looks at it, he said, “Well…Poor thing, we’re in the process of moving right now and I’ve been doing back-to-back press tours so she’s not super happy at me. Yeah, she’s so glad that I’m in Los Angeles and not actually packing up tea chests, as you can imagine.”

His humor and honesty put us all at ease. And, really, he is such a GOOD GUY, despite the fact that he plays a really BAD GUY in SOLO that it’s hard not to love him.

Paul Bettany is Dryden Vos in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Crossing Universes

Paul Bettany has been fairly busy lately, with the latest Avengers movie still in theaters at the time of the theatrical release of Solo: A Star Wars Story. I’m sure it’s a difficult decision to sign on to two demanding movies at the same time, so we asked Paul about how he got the role of Dryden Vos, and why he was interested in being involved in this Star Wars movie.

“This is a hugely embarrassing story which I shouldn’t tell you but I’ve got to tell you anyway. In 1977 I saw Star Wars. I was six years old and it took me out of the gray, miserable 1970’s London. London was really depressed in the ‘70s, by the way. So, it was just (amazing) to be taken away to that universe.

“But now I’m in the Avengers so I think there’s no way I’m ever going to be asked to be in Star Wars. Unless Ron Howard becomes the director. And that happened. And so, I texted him this, I said, ‘Hey, Ron, have you ever spent long winter evenings, like I have wondering why you’re not in the Star Wars franchise?’

“And that’s a true story. And he said, ‘Give me a moment.’ And two weeks later I was flying to London to shoot it.”

Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

I loved seeing the love and respect that Paul has for Ron Howard (they really are old friends). Later in the interview, Paul said, “Ron is as close to family as you get in this business. He’s put his hand out and helped me out so many times I can’t tell you. And seeing him be so accomplished . He’s just a fine, fine director.” Paul admired what Ron was able to do coming on the project after it had already started. He said that it could have been a tricky situation, but Ron’s ability with staging and his natural talent made the movie a success.

He continued, “He’s also amazingly inclusive and genuinely interested in everybody’s opinions about how things should be. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have his own vision. He’s just so confident that he is able to be really open and collaborative. And, you know, I think the sign of a really strong leader is when (people) are listening. That was beautiful.”

Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Going back to the fact that Paul just happens to be in two of the biggest movies hitting the theaters this summer, he said that it felt “pretty great. It’s very nice going around the world selling something that people want to buy. I’ve done both. And this is a much nicer feeling than the other.”

But what was it like jumping between superhero and villain? Paul said that it wasn’t difficult to go back and forth between the two characters because he knows Vision so well. It also helped that, despite the fact that he was going back and forth between two cinematic universes and two different filming locations, he had support from the directors and producers of both films.

However, he did run into one little problem…”there were times when literally, the makeup crew on Star Wars were finding bits of purple still on me from playing Vision. Can I tell you, the amount of work it takes to get that stuff off?”

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
Vision (Paul Bettany)
Photo: Film Frame
©Marvel Studios 2018

Speaking of makeup, we were shocked to find out that Dryden Vos’ facial scars are all CG – no makeup – and all done in post-production!

On playing a Star Wars villain, Paul said, “I really wanted to do something very different. And I felt like I could because the offshoot films, you know, they’re not encumbered with the same set of responsibilities that the main franchise (films) are encumbered with.

Paul Bettany described his character, Dryden Vos, as an “entrepreneur.”

“There is the possibility to have a more playful tone. I really wanted to sort of be quite loose with it. He is an entrepreneur. He knows who he is and is super happy about it. Like, (he has) no problems with being bad. I mean, he’s really, really gifted at hurting people. And some people are gifted at playing the piano or whatever and he’s really gifted at torture and murder. And he’s really okay with it. And that’s really fun to play because you’re just able to sort of close down all the conscious stuff and just be great at torture and murder.”

Paul Bettany is the GOOD GUY, insisting that our injured Leanette take his seat. Or better yet, SHARE it with him! – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

A Life-Changing Role

Paul Bettany has said before that Star Wars changed his world as a child. We asked him if there was a moment on the set when it hit him that he was in a Star Wars movie.

Without a hesitation, Paul said, “Oh, yeah, there were many moments where I went, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m in a Star Wars movie!’ I think because Ron and I were newcomers on the block, as it were. You know, everyone else had been in there for eight months or whatever. And we were still totally un-jaded by it. And I kept elbowing him and saying, ‘We’re making a Star Wars movie. We’re making a Star Wars movie!’ And my first day, in fact, I was on my starship.

I have a starship and I was coming down the spiral staircase and a super chic asymmetric cloak I think you probably all noticed. And an R2 unit went by me with champagne flutes on and I went, (wow), I’m in Star Wars. And that was amazing.”

Paul Bettany’s Most Important Role of All

My favorite part of our interview had to be be when Paul Bettany started talking about his children. We asked him what legacy he hopes to leave for his children. Instead of talking about what he has given to them, he talked about how proud he is of them.

Paul said, “I think the thing I’m most proud of with my kids is that they always say please and thank you. I have taught them (that) there is no separation between children and adults in our lives in terms of like going to a restaurant, you know, they’re with us. Their time spent on devices is really limited.

“They are not allowed devices in a restaurant. They have to ask questions and they have to be engaged with other people. I have a 20-year-old and I have a 14-year-old and what I noticed about them is that they have a confidence within themselves that I feel that I really lacked. I might be strict with them, which I have been about certain things, parties and all of that stuff as they grow up.

“And now my son, who’s 20, is off to college and doing his own thing but, deep down inside they appear to know that they’re just excellent company, you know, that they’re good people. So, I might be pissed when we might be having a problem but you know, they know how loved they are and how lovable they are. And I mean, and we have tried to inoculate them from all of the slightly weird and odd things that can happen having parents that do what we do.

Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

“I mean, when we all fly together, we fly in coach because my son one time in First Class said to me, “Dad, these seats are not…’ (and I said,) ‘You’re coming with me.’ And we fly in coach. You might see me in there because I’ll be the one with the scarf around me.

“They’re really aware of their privilege because I’m not willing to raise one of those children. I want them to know how rare this situation is and to prepare them for a life in which they can, hopefully, give back in a way that we’ve all received.”

Our group photo with Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Can you see what an amazing dad he is?!

Be sure to catch him in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, opening in theaters everywhere on May 25!

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

Ron Howard on Directing SOLO: A Star Wars Story #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Mon, 21 May 2018 13:29:23 +0000

Disney invited me on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

RON HOWARD – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

When I received the invitation to attend the red carpet premiere of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, I didn’t know who we were going to be interviewing, but I had my own little wish list of talent that I was hoping we’d have the chance to sit down with. Ron Howard was at the top of my wish list. Dare I admit it had something to do with growing up watching Happy Days?

I was beyond excited when our interview schedule came through my email, and Ron Howard’s name was there. It was truly a dream come true for me. After meeting him, I have even more respect for him as a director and as a person.

RON HOWARD group photo – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

When Ron walked in the room, we broke out into applause…which apparently doesn’t happen often when he walks into an interview, because it totally caught him off guard. He said that we woke him up!

I loved hearing Ron Howard’s version of how he got the job directing Solo: A Star Wars Story. He explained, “It came out of a conversation that I was having with Kathleen Kennedy. It was just a scheduled breakfast appointment that I had with her. I was in London meeting with other writers for Imagine Entertainment projects and working on things. She’s a friend.

Alden Enrenreich, Kathleen Kennedy and Ron Howard attend the world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story in Hollywood on May 10, 2018..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages).

“I didn’t know that there was any conflict, any creative differences going on with the project at all. I hadn’t heard any of those rumors. I guess that they were out there, but I just wasn’t paying attention. And at the breakfast she asked if Larry Kasden could come. He was in town. She didn’t tell me why. And I thought, ‘I wonder what they wanna talk about? Was it some other future Star Wars movie, maybe, or something else? It’s not what the conversation was supposed to be about. It was just a hello. And about halfway through, it just sort of came out that they were in this crisis with the young Han Solo movie.

“And he said, ‘Look, would you ever consider coming in and taking over?’ And I said, ‘Well, it’s very flattering but I can’t imagine that I would. I don’t think so.’ And, I urged them to reconsider and think about it. And they said they had already made their decision. They knew they were gonna make a change.

Ron Howard on the set of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

“And it went from there. I read the script and I was so compelled by that script. It answered the questions of what a young Han Solo’s life experiences might be that would shape him, form him, push him toward that iconic figure that we would know later. And did it in ways that surprised me. And so it was really satisfying and logical. But it also had these twists and turns that were unexpected.

“I knew what a fantastic cast it was. And sort of over a period of about three days, I began to weigh it and at a certain point, my wife, Cheryl, said, ‘I know you pretty well and I think you’re gonna be disappointed if you don’t do this.’

“I thought she was right, as she most always is.”

Cheryl Howard and Ron Howard attend the world premiere of ÒSolo: A Star Wars StoryÓ in Hollywood on May 10, 2018..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages).

Speaking of family, Ron Howard’s daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, is currently staring in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, coming to theaters in June, just a month after Solo: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters. We wondered if there was any friendly competition at home when family members had “competing” movies (whose movie made more on opening week…whose movie got better ratings and reviews?). I loved Ron’s response.

He said, “It’s hard not to root for your daughter. And, you know, we’re in a very fortunate position. Once we realized that our movies were coming out a month apart or something like that, it was kinda like a gift, I suppose. You work at something that you love. I give 110% to everything that I do. Some things click, some things not as much. And I just love it as a lifestyle, our way of life. And, and I’ve felt very rewarded by this opportunity and I hope fans feel really good about the movie because these movies are made for the fans.”

RON HOWARD – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

While Ron Howard knew they were making this movie (and all movies) for the fans, he realized that there was a deep (and almost daunting) sense of responsibility to make sure that they got it “right.” We were curious to hear his thoughts on the challenges of making his first Star Wars movie.

Ron said, “What I did discover is that the reason that these Star Wars movies resonate with us and we see them more than once is because they entertain you in so many different ways. And I didn’t realize that as a fan. But when I was directing the scenes, I realized that’s a real challenge. You’ve got action elements. You’ve got sci-fi elements that are very particular to this galaxy.

Ron Howard, Jon Kasdan and Lawrence Kasdan on the set of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

“You’ve got this blend of humanity and humor and drama and then these deeper bigger themes that are really classic themes. And it’s like playing three dimensional chess to direct these scenes. And I think that when the harmonics are right, it creates this range of ways that the movies entertain you.

“But it’s a real challenge. So I recognized and respected the movies that came before me all the more when I realized how complicated they were. So it was a challenge but it was fun. And George Lucas had said to me, ‘Just trust your instincts. I think you’re gonna find you’re comfortable in this filmmaking style.’ And he was right.

RON HOWARD – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

“I fell into it easily. I loved the cast. Really creative, cool, young, smart cast. And loved working with the Kasdens. I believed in their story. Oh, there’s one thing I just like to remind people of.

“Because I didn’t know it until very late in the process, but it made sense to me when I heard it. And that was that this story was hatched before Disney acquired Lucas Film and came up with this business plan to do more Star Wars movies.

“It was a conversation that Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas had with Larry Kasden, basically picking his brain and saying what beyond the saga movies, what do you think would be interesting for fans and creatively exciting? And Larry and George just instantly felt and agreed that it was young Han Solo.

“So this has been a story that Larry’s been wanting to tell for a while and the studio wanted to initially commit to the saga movies which they did. But Larry, Larry kept saying, you know, well I really do believe in young Han Solo. So that’s really how it happened, before there were any directors involved or anything.

RON HOWARD – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

“So this story is the thing that I think everybody involved from the very beginning has wanted to give 110% to because it’s so ripe for the telling and an opportunity we felt for fans.”

He said that the scariest part of taking on a Star Wars movie was the responsibility placed on his own shoulders and the cast. He said, “I knew that there would be a lot of judgement surrounding (Alden) and his performance. But he’s such a cool customer. And he wore the responsibility very well. But I know it was something that really meant a lot to him.

“I had talked to Harrison (Ford) about a week ago. He had seen the movie and I had told Alden that Harrison really loved what he did. He respected it. And, of course, I couldn’t announce that to anybody because no one speaks for Harrison Ford but Harrison Ford.”

Speaking of Harrison Ford, we asked Ron Howard about the process of creating a new, younger version of Han Solo with Alden.

Ron said, “It was all about taking inspiration from from Harrison. I think Alden thought a little bit about the body language and that’s a sort of subtle almost subliminal link you can create for the characters.”

He explained that he has seen this done in various movies, where two actors are playing a young version of a character and an older version of that same character. It’s important for each of the actors to work out some traits or body language choices that show character continuity. Ron was impressed when he met Alden that he had already thought about and started studying that very thing in the older Star Wars movies.

Ron Howard believed that Alden Ehrenreich got Han Solo’s character right, “The phrasing, those rhythms, it was there for Alden to develop. And so that it was not only right for the character but sort of familiar for audiences.”

Alden Ehrenreich, George Lucas and Ron Howard attend the world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story in Hollywood on May 10, 2018..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages).

When asked how Han Solo’s death in THE FORCE AWAKENS affected how he directed this film, Ron said, “Well, I thought it was very powerful in that movie. And it also reflected the kind of complexity, the thematic ideas that I think give the Star Wars movies their lasting value. It’s fun. It’s playful. It’s exciting. But it also has these themes that are complicated and run deep, you know? And in its own playful way, I think Solo asks some of those questions of what’s it like in those moral gray areas?

“And when your survival is at stake and you’re presented with choices that you might not necessarily be proud of. This is a story about young people who are really on a quest for their freedom. And they’re struggling for that. And in very difficult oppressive times. And a really challenging corner of the galaxy.

“So I think knowing the outcome gives the story of young Han Solo even more power and more weight. And I think in many ways makes you even more curious about what might have made him tick.”

I can’t wait for you to see SOLO: A Star Wars Story in theaters on May 25! Come back here and let me know what you think of Ron Howard’s touch in the film.

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage (with review and interviews coming) by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

I Kill Giants – Exclusive Interview with Madison Wolfe

Lolli — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:58:27 +0000

Last week, I had the opportunity to interview Madison Wolfe, the star of the new movie I KILL GIANTS, in select theaters and On Demand now. I was not compensated in any way for this post. Amazon affiliate links are included.

About I KILL GIANTS

From the acclaimed graphic novel by the same name comes an epic adventure about a world beyond imagination. Teen Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe, The Conjuring 2) is the only thing that stands between terrible giants and the destruction of her small town. But as she boldly confronts her fears in increasingly dangerous ways, her new school counselor (Zoe Saldana, Guardians of the Galaxy) leads her to question everything she’s always believed to be true. I Kill Giants is an intense, touching story about trust, courage and love from the producers that brought you Harry Potter.

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura

From the producer of Harry Potter, Chris Columbus

Academy award-winning director, Anders Walter

I Kill Giants is in select theaters and On Demand, plus you can find it on iTunes. Available on Amazon, too!

Meeting Madison Wolfe

When Madison joined our conference call, it was difficult to remember that she was only 15 years old. Her responses were so well put together. I left the call wishing she could come hang out with my teens (I think they’d get along great!).

If you’re not familiar with the story, I Kill Giants addresses the issues of dealing with loss, the power of friendship, the value (and pitfalls) of using imagination to escape problems, and the effects of bullying. Barbara’s on-going battles with giants and titans mirror what is happening to her internally (I’ll stop there to keep this interview as spoiler-free as possible).

Question: What the biggest challenge would be in portraying Barbara and the most fun part about portraying her?

Madison Wolfe: “I think that the biggest challenge for me I knew was going to be that Barbara has so many layers. On the inside she’s really vulnerable, but on the outside she’s super, super tough. That was definitely the biggest challenge. And funnily enough, it was also the best part of it. I love a good challenge, so it was really fun.”

Question: “What do you hope young viewers, especially teenagers, take away from the film?”

Madison Wolfe: “I just hope people take away the message that they’re stronger than they think. It’s one of the last lines that Barbara says, and I think it’s a really common theme throughout the novel and the movie as well. I think that if young teenagers, or really anybody, just keeps that in mind in times of struggle that they’ll be able to get through it.”

Question: “What made you initially excited to work on this film?”

Madison Wolfe: “I think I was really excited because I knew it was going to be a challenge. I knew that it was going to surprise people, because when you see the trailer or if you hear about the storyline, it doesn’t really do the actual movie justice, in my opinion, because it’s so much more than just Barbara and her imagination and her giants. It’s about a teenage girl who has so many struggles and just is so tough and is able to get through those struggles.”

Question: “Did you relate to Barbara at all, or did you see yourself in her character, and how?”

Madison Wolfe: “Yes, definitely. I think that, despite kind of looking like an outcast, Barbara is a very relatable girl, you know? Everyone faces struggles in their life, whether they be big or small. I’ve had struggles in my own life, and I feel like I was tough enough to be able to get through them. And I think that she’s a great character to show that.”

Question: “How do you think Barbara’s character is a good role model for girls today?”

Madison Wolfe: “I think that she can definitely be a role model because in a way she doesn’t really care what other people think. She dresses how she wants. And even though everyone is telling her you’re crazy for believing in these giants, she still continues to do it and do what she really believes in and kind of stand up for herself. I think it’s a really beautiful kind of arc during the film, because in the beginning she’s just completely in denial of what’s really going on. And by the end, it’s a learning process for her. And she really grows up and kind of gets through all of her struggles.”

Question: “Barbara’s friendship with Sophia and her relationship with the guidance counselor play big roles in helping her overcome her “giants.” What do you want other girls to learn about how they can help others that might be dealing with something bigger – their own giants?”

Madison Wolfe: “Absolutely. The relationships that Barbara develops is such an important factor in her being able to overcome her “giants.” I just hope that it brings awareness to the fact that you never really know what people are going through. And if you just take a second to talk to them and break through their shell, you might end up really, really building a strong friendship with them and really, really helping them in the long run.”

Question: “Do you have anything that you do personally to alleviate stress in your life? Any tips for other teens?”

Madison Wolfe: “Whenever I’m really stressed, I really like to just play my guitar, my piano or something, and just do something that I find comforting. And just talking to my friends and playing music and just taking a second to breathe really helps me, I think, whenever life is stressful.”

That’s some advice that we can ALL use!

I just loved the message of I KILL GIANTS – we are all stronger than we think. We can get through hard things…but we don’t have to get through them alone. I think it’s a fantastic movie for parents and older kids/teens to not only watch, but also discuss together. Find I Kill Giants in a theater near you, or get it On Demand and watch it at home. You won’t regret it!

Connect with I KILL GIANTS: Instagram | #IKillGiants #IKillGiantsMovie #StrongerThanWeThink

Kaya Scodelario as Carina Smyth in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Lolli — Tue, 30 May 2017 16:30:22 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Kaya Scodelario, who played Carina Smyth in the new Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (along with 24 of my fellow bloggers). This spoiler-free interview was part of the Pirates red carpet premiere and press event. Travel and accommodations were covered by Disney but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

**Note: Interview photos are courtesy of Louise Bishop of MomStart.com. Movie stills are courtesy of Disney.**

When a gorgeous woman like walks into the room and the first thing she does is admit she’s got a “really good pair of Spanx” underneath her beautiful dress, you can’t help but love her. Kaya was instantly relatable, as was her character, Carina, in the newest Pirates movie. Carina is a headstrong and smart girl – a unique combination for her time, which makes her stand out as odd. In fact, the movie starts out with Carina in jail for witchcraft and scheduled for execution. It’s impossible for the men of her day to accept her intelligence and curiosity and independence as anything but sorcery.

For those of you who have not yet seen Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead men Tell No Tales in the theater, I’ve left out any specific plot spoilers so that you could enjoy the movie surprises just as much as I did. Here are just a few of the things we talked to Kaya about.

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Pictured L to R: Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario) and Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites)..Ph: Film Frame..© Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Did wearing period costumes make you feel any different or help motivate you for scenes?

Kaya responded, “Yeah, there’s something really cool about a corset, it does feel quite empowering actually, because you have to sit up strong. The first day is awful. I’d get my husband to secretly loosen it up at lunchtime so that I could eat. But it does feel very strong and I like that Carina’s dress, it isn’t perfect, it’s actually tattered and old and ripped up and dirty as that helped me understand a bit of her back story. think this is a dress that she’s held onto because it’s the only one she has, and she’s managed to make it as practical as possible to her.”

What is it like working with a male-dominated cast (again!)

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Pictured L to R: Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), Pike (Delroy Atkinson), Cremble (Adam Brown), Gibbs (Kevin McNally), Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Scrum (Stephen Graham)..Ph: Film Frame..© Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Pirates of the Caribbean is not Kaya’s first male-dominated cast. She agreed that she’s been very lucky. She said, “The guys have never made me feel like the only woman, especially on Maze Runner and again with this. They always treat me exactly the same. I’ve never felt like, you know, I’ll walk on the set and they’re like, ‘the girl is here, we have to stop farting.’ They continue to do that anyway. I’ve grown up with guys; I love them. My best friends are guys and I like that energy. I think that once they get over you being a woman, it can actually be kind of bonding and nice. But yeah, it was interesting.”

We then asked her what it was like coming in as a brand new character for the franchise and as a really strong feminine character. It was refreshing to see a woman that could hold her own among the Pirates!

Kaya responded, “With every role, I look for a woman that I would have liked to have seen at thirteen on the big screen. It’s a huge responsibility because people forget in blockbusters that we’re not simple, there are multi layers and there’s a lot going on and Carina has a lot of that. I mean, she’s an orphan, she’s a survivor. She’s also stubborn and argumentative and she’s also funny and flirty and there’s so much to her. And I’m grateful that they wrote her this way.

Because usually with a film this size, unfortunately there isn’t time to layer out a character too much. Because there’s so much going on. I made a real effort with her to try and hit all those beats. It’s something that I hope my son grows up watching and respects in women and understands in women, that we aren’t just the Disney princess or the love interest or the damsel in distress; and Carina’s certainly not any of those things.”

There was a lot of action and stunts in this film; do you do your own stunts?

Kaya actually does a lot of her own action and stunts. She said, “I do; I really love to do all that stuff. Because they’re not things you do every day in life, you know. If you get the opportunity to do it, especially when you have a great crew where you know it’s going to be safe and it’s going to be done the proper way. But I actually injured my shoulder…I popped out something in there on the Black Pearl of all places. And so afterwards it was kind of tough; we had about four weeks of filming still so I had to wear a sling in between takes and I had to go quite easy on it.

“But I did all the swimming; I swam in the Australian ocean with the sharks and every other thing that can kill you there. It was a lot of fun; I love having the opportunity to do that stuff.

What tips would you give kids or young adults with dyslexia that are interested in theater?

Kaya shared a little about being dyslexic and how her struggles could hopefully help and inspire other kids with dyslexia to not let that stop them in pursuing their dreams. I think her advice is helpful for kids pursuing anything, not just acting.

She said, “The biggest thing for me was just knowing that I wasn’t the only one. I remember when I was twelve and I was diagnosed, I was really freaked out by it because I didn’t understand what it was. For me it meant I’m dumb, that’s all I knew, I thought, ‘Well this just means that I can’t ever achieve what other people can.’ And then they had a poster up in my school saying Tom Cruise has dyslexia.

“And that instantly to me was like, ‘oh okay, well he’s doing all right. Maybe I’ll be okay.’ It’s just about having an open conversation about it. There are great resources out there; my school was wonderful, they gave me extra time in exams, I had a one to one teacher in classes for my reading because that’s where I really struggled. I recommend having an open conversation about it and then finding support groups and making sure that the school also understand what it is. Because it’s kind of a taboo subject, we don’t really know much about it. So the more we can discuss and the more resources we can bring into schools, I think the better.”

Kaya said that she only had about 3 weeks between being cast and starting to film, and her dyslexia makes it harder for her to learn lines, so she didn’t have as much time as she would have liked to study up on astronomy for her character. She would actually like to continue to learn more about astronomy now that the movie is over.

Carina and Jack Sparrow have a lot of fun scenes together, what was it like working with Johnny?

Kaya smiled and said, “It’s wonderful. I mean when you watch the movie, you get to see the one take that’s selected. We get to see the fifty five other ones that he comes up with on the spot. He’s just a genius; he really is. There’s a reason why he’s so successful. And he’s good at what he does. And his improvisation is just- I mean my first day on set with him, I had to be really serious in a scene, and I just laughed and laughed and laughed and I was like I’m going to get fired, there’s no way they’re going to put up with me. He just brings it every single time.

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Pictured L to R: Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites)..Ph: Film Frame..© Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How much input did you have into your character? Any improvisation?

Kaya said, “What’s on the page is always the best thing possible and we have these incredible writers that know what works for these movies. But I am very instinctual, and that’s how I like to work, I like to improvise and I like to make sure that the dialogue fits my voice and my character’s voice and they were really great about it. The directors are really open; every morning we’d sit down, run through what we were going to do for the day. They’d ask if I had any issues with any of the dialogue, if there’s anything I felt would work better. There was a day where Johnny actually came into my trailer beforehand and reworked an entire scene with me, which I was amazed at, that they still do let you have that creative freedom.”

What do you hope movie goers take away from the film?

Kaya said, “I hope that they understand that this is an adventure for the whole family and it’s something that should be seen on the big screen and the best technology possible. We spent six months making this and two years in post production for a reason. That’s how it should be seen and that’s how the whole family will enjoy it at its best.”

I agree! Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is in theaters everywhere now. Make plans to see it in the theater soon (and I highly recommend seeing it in 3D or IMax!). Be sure to check out the rest of my Pirates posts (more coming!).

Brenton Thwaites as Henry Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Lolli — Fri, 26 May 2017 15:45:43 +0000

Last week, I sat down with Brenton Thwaites, who plays Henry Turner in the new Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (along with 24 of my fellow bloggers). This interview was part of the Pirates red carpet premiere and press event. Travel and accommodations were covered by Disney but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

**Note: Interview photos are courtesy of Louise Bishop of MomStart.com. Movie stills are courtesy of Disney.**

Brenton Thwaites is a newcomer to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but he fit in perfectly! I loved his role as Henry Turner, young adult son of Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner. He was a delight to interview – all smiles and very gracious! Here are a few things that we chatted with him about.

Take a look at this featurette. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is in theaters NOW! Be sure to check out the rest of my Pirates posts…movie review, red carpet experience, interviews, printables and more!

Question: What was it like stepping into such a role with Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner as your parents?

Brenton Thwaites appreciated the backstory that he came into his role as Henry Turner with. He said, “I feel as though as it was easier than not having them because they provided such a backstory for my character. We start the movie, Dead Men Tell No Tales, with the boy version in my character, basically saying, ‘I believe there’s a treasure that can break your curse, and I can spend more time with you.’ And he (Will Turner) says, ‘Okay, well if there is, go find Jack Sparrow. He can help you find it.’ And so I feel like the goal and obligation for my character has already been set, and that gives Henry a lot more drive and focus for the whole movie.”

Question: What was it like working opposite Johnny Depp and the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow?

Brenton didn’t hesitate to say, “It was terrifying. It’s still terrifying. It’s always terrifying because you never know what he’s gonna say or do, and it always results in humiliation for me. So you are always entering a scene, thinking ‘this guy now is five movies worth of Jack Sparrow.’ And he’s on the ball and kind of irreverent and impulsive. You just anticipate what he’s gonna do and say, so that’s great because, as an actor, it kind of improves your acting in the sense that you’re always open and free and relaxed to go with the flow, but also pretty terrifying.”

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Pictured L to R: Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites)..Ph: Film Frame..© Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Question: What was it like working on Disney films, especially now that you’re a father?

Brenton Thwaites had a little girl after filming Pirates of the Caribbean and said that being a dad certainly changed his perspective! He said, “It’s great being a part of Disney because, as a studio, it really plays for the younger audiences. I did a movie in 2012, released in 2014, called Maleficent which is something I can’t wait for my daughter to see. Pirates may take a while just because it’s quite scary, you know? One year at a time. I don’t even know about letting kids see movies yet, you know?”

Question: What was it like coming in to the Pirates franchise as a newcomer?

Because so many members of the Pirates of the Caribbean cast have done this several times before, we wondered if the existing cast would value a newcomer’s input. Brenton said, “I think they did value my input as an actor, as an newcomer. There were so many different characters coming into this one to make it a fresh new thing, and I think all the old-school dudes really wanted to make it fresh and exciting and, it’s something they hadn’t done before. So Javier coming on board, myself, Kaya, and the two new directors who had primarily done independent films were supported and encouraged on this one.”

Question: What was it like when you first walked onto the set?

Brenton laughed, “I was thinking, wow, it’s really rained, because my first day on the set, it had been pouring for months or weeks, and the town of Saint Martin, which was about twenty minutes west of the studio, was covered in mud. They kinda used it in the movie which is really cool and dramatic, and adds to the dirtiness of the pirate’s world, but I remember thinking, ‘I’m gonna have to get some new shoes.’

I had a scene where my character, Henry, is hiding behind a pillar, and he’s spying on Jack Sparrow, and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, what a perfect way to start the movie, and to see Jack Sparrow drinking rum in the middle of the street, and the whole parade of red soldiers trying to catch him.'”

Question: The visual effects are amazing. What was it like to see the finished film?

Brenton said, “Well, the visual effects side of things was, for this one, mostly kind of behind the actor’s consciousness. In Maleficent, it was a lot of work that we would have to do with our imaginations to kind of be specifically creating creatures that weren’t there. On Gods of Egypt, we did the same thing. But on Pirates, we were lucky because all of Javier’s makeup; all the ghosts were there. They looked fantastic.

The sets were real. You know, they, they had beautiful set pieces that allowed us to play and feel like we were actually in the space. The CGI, I guess I was surprised to see Javier’s hair. But yeah, it was mainly in the background, the CGI stuff which gave it this great depth of field when you watch it. But for us, we were lucky that we had so much given to us on the day.”

Question: What was a typical day on set like?

Brenton explained, “Typically a day on a set for me is– I get picked up eight o’clock, so I get out of the house at seven; I run down for a quick surf; I get out of the surf at eight; rush home; I’m half an hour late. So my driver speeds down the highway and risks our lives trying to get to work on time. And then I get made up and sit in the trailer for five hours, and then we start working.”

He told us that there was a lot of sitting around and waiting on set because the directors liked to be prepared for anything that they might want to add in. Brenton said, “Logistics, sets change, and everyday there was something crazy happening. For this one they liked to give the directors all the tools to play around with, and so we would all come to work; Javier would get made up; Geoffrey would get in makeup, and we would all be ready in case they wanted to do some improvised shot or something; they could kinda use any actor at any time. So it was cool way of shooting.”

Question: You had a lot of scenes with Johnny Depp. Did he do things to make you laugh?

Brenton laughed and said, “Everything (he did made us laugh). Listen, if you guys look closely, me and Kaya, behind the scenes are trying not to laugh.” He agreed that we should probably expect a lot of bloopers.

Question: Did you have a favorite filming location?

Brenton said, “We shot at about five or six different locations; mainly the studios. I was talking about Saint Martins Square twenty minutes west of the studios where all the mud was. We shot there for a good month and a half, and we shot in Northern New South Wales; they had a beautiful beach- both Hastings Point for our entrance into, our entrance into Saint Martins, I think, the coastal element.

“My favorite location was up on Hamilton Island, shooting out on the Great Barrier Reef. We had some days we shot at a beach called White Haven Beach which is beautiful squeaky beach. When you walk on the sand, it squeaks, which is not so good for the sound, but it’s great for effect, and it looks beautiful, and I think we had the most fun right there.

“Javier’s like a five year old kid, you know? As soon as he finished a scene, he’d be stripping off, jumping in the sea, playing, and fighting in the sand. It was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Question: What do you hope audiences take away from this film?

Brenton said, “I just hope they’re entertained. This is the kind of movie that never loses its drive and has so many action pieces, set pieces; comedic elements; romance; supernatural; there’s something for everyone in this movie. So I hope everyone takes something from it and connects with the characters.” Brenton personally wished that he could have taken a rowboat from the set to give to his mom to make a vegetable garden in.

See Brenton Thwaites as Henry Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, in theaters everywhere!

Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Lolli — Thu, 25 May 2017 17:16:59 +0000

Last week, I traveled to Los Angeles as one of 25 bloggers covering the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales red carpet premiere and press event. Travel and accommodations were covered by Disney but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

**Note: Interview photos are courtesy of Louise Bishop of MomStart.com. Movie stills are courtesy of Disney.

Geoffrey Rush returns as the pirate Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, which comes to theaters this weekend (5/26)!! This exclusive bloggers-only interview is spoiler-free!

Question: You played different part of you in this film. How did it feel to take on a different Barbossa?

Geoffrey replied, “Well, it’s sort of something that happened over the first four films, you know. I think in the first one, before I actually entered into the story, he was described rather fearfully by the two pirates that are now my assistants. ‘He’s spat out from the mouth of hell.’

“To me that was the key line. I thought, whenever I enter into this story, if you don’t see that, then he’s a liar. So, he was pretty much the dark villain of the piece. And, you know, he had to break the curse. I think it was a great twist of the story that we were actually having to put all of the treasure back to reverse the curse, (after) which I then enjoyed having all my senses back for about 30 seconds. Then I got shot.”

He then went on to talk about Johnny Depp, who he obviously admires and respects a deal, and the iconic character that Johnny created in Captain Jack. He said, “Johnny was the king of the independent films…great characters like Edward Scissor Hands and What’s Eating Gilbert Great and all of the things that he did.

For him to create such a unique, unpredictable pirate — there’s nothing like it in literature or cinema. And he got nominated for a Best Actor, which is just fantastic, you know. ‘Cause adventure films just don’t really get a look in on that territory. But I remember him telling me when we shot the first film, he said, ‘You know, we can’t be stereotypes. We’ve gotta create really imaginative kind of people that an audience will get very engaged with.’

And he said, ‘I’ve been toying with the idea of, like the British rock stars of the ‘60s ’cause pirates always had sort of clear-cut identities. You know, the real Black Beard used to have fuse wire burning in his beard that when people saw him they thought he was the devil. So, that would go from ship to ship from port to port. With Barbossa I wanted to make him very arrogant and very pompous and very superior and maybe a bit slightly self-diluted about how bright he actually is.”

In this latest movie, as Geoffrey explained, “I sort of became like a politician. I was the guy getting the global pirate G20 meeting. And that was fun to play, because he he’s a control freak and he loves thinking he’s the most powerful person on the planet. And then I worked for the king. I liked that in Pirates 4. And I really insisted that I have a very elaborate wig and lovely makeup and a beauty spot.

“The teeth were always the same. And then, unfortunately, when he put on the courtly makeup with his crusty skin, he didn’t look any prettier. So that sort of shift has always been there. And I did it love it when I read the fifth script that he had become so wealthy. And I like that it brought out the vulgarity. Barbossa isn’t somebody with any sense of personal style whatsoever, you know.”

“And Penny Rose offered me a costume, and I said this is great. He wouldn’t care if he mixed checks with stripes. And what else does he spend his money on, you know. I love the fact that the wooden leg is a great way to show how ridiculously wealthy he is. It’s a bit like Saddam Hussein having gold everywhere on the bathroom taps and probably shaped like fish or something, you know. Ridiculous. And then the extra bit where they brought in a sort of deep secret from even before the first film started that there was something that Jack and Barbossa knew about.

“And I don’t know. I probably needed to go through therapy to un-repress that memory but he had obviously blocked it out, but I looked back at all the other films and just looked at it in the light of if that secret had been there, it’ll all still make sense. The obsession for the grandeur of his own persona is someone masking this guilty secret that he has.”

Question: You and Johnny have a great back and forth. Was that natural, or did you have to work on that?

Geoffrey Rush answered, “The scripts are always pretty good. We’ve sort of decided now that the Black Pearl is our mutual girlfriend and we both want her. Then chances are that Jack Sparrow will end up with the ship, but that sense of harmony’s never always gonna stay there.”

Question: Did you actually have to walk with the peg leg on?

Geoffrey responded, “No. I think back in the days when Robert Newton played Long John Silver I think he did with the leg strapped up, which would have been painful. So, I went down that path and talked to a prosthetician who specializes with amputees. And the engineering they do now — if you see people that have a leg from the knee down, it’s molded beautifully in titanium or whatever. It’s amazing engineering. But he said it takes these people maybe 12 to 18 months to really get all their musculature and their core muscles to kind of realign and to train it to be a good part of you. And when I had it strapped up, I couldn’t stand up. I mean it was just impossible. And I said you know what? I’ll act the leg. Because I wore a blue screen stocking that I made sure that we made the heel of it like the point that it would be. And I just got good at having — that leg had no life in it.”

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Pictured L to R: Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem)..Ph: Film Frame..© Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Question: What was it like acting with a monkey?”

Geoffrey explained, “The monkey’s trained to really have no relationship with me — because if it did it would just be looking for things to eat in my wig. They’re very loyal to their owner if trained correctly. So, the monkey is completely in the hands of the trainer. And the trainers are brilliant. They’re able to sort of throw in all the instructions in and around the dialogue.

“I remember on the first film we’d shot the first meeting with Elizabeth Swann and I’d come down with the monkey on my shoulder, and we had a big dialogue between us. And suddenly when they came in for the close shots, there was this massive, deep, black-skinned guy called Isaac Singleton Junior. He was this gentle giant but from somewhere like Louisiana I think, and he hadn’t been there in the earlier shots. And the monkey was kinda going I don’t like this person and, you know, and I thought, oh, what are we going to do, ’cause we’ve shot some of the dialogue and close-ups and everything.

“And the trainer said I think it’s okay. She had this idea of just squirting a water pistol onto Tara’s chest. She had a little vest and everything. So everything looks like she’s looking at Elizabeth Swann, listening to the dialogue.” Of course, sometimes that little water pistol missed the mark and hit Geoffrey instead of the monkey, which was “hilarious.”

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Pictured L to R: Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and Jack (Monkey)..Ph: Film Frame..© Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

He then went on to tell the story of seeing one of the monkeys after about 5 years (between films). He was worried that the monkey wouldn’t remember him after so long, but amazingly, the monkey saw him from across the room and immediately recognized his former pal. “I said to Martin, would he remember me over five years? He said, yeah, he’d remember the smell of your ear wax.”

I could have listed to Geoffrey all day! He is a natural story-teller! As we took our group shot with him at the end of the interview, he joked that maybe he could come back in a future film with 25 mommy blogger wives! He left us by stating that this was the most fun he’d had on the entire trip!