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  • ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Interview: Jeff Rowe

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    The new computer-animated superhero film ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ opens in theaters on August 2nd. It was written and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (‘Superbad’), and directed by Jeff Rowe (‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’).

    What is the plot of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?

    After years of being sheltered from the human world, the four Turtle brothers (Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, and Brady Noon) set out on a quest to be accepted as normal teenagers by the people of New York City through acts of heroism. With the aid of their new friend April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri), the brothers go on a hunt for a mysterious crime syndicate, but trouble arises when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Jeff Rowe about his work on ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ what he wanted to adapt from the source material, developing the animation, having the actors record together, and how the classic video game ‘Tony Hawk‘s Pro Skater’ inspired the music for the film.

    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ director Jeff Rowe.
    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ director Jeff Rowe.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Rowe, Ice Cube, Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, and Brady Noon.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about developing the screenplay with Set Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and what were some of the elements of the source material that were really important for you to include in this movie?

    Jeff Rowe: I mean, I think it’s a lot of things, you got to have Splinter, and you got to have the turtles. They have to essentially be their personalities that they’ve always been. But the biggest initial pivot was like, “We need to make them teenagers. We need to make them feel like real teenagers,” which means the situations they’re going to encounter are going to be relatable to actual teens, as much as possible with a crime plot in the film. Then also, they need to respond emotionally to things like the way a teenager actually would. We love so many of those mutant characters and designs. We found a way to incorporate a lot of things that I thought were cool into the film, but it all just started with we’re going to make them authentically teens.

    April O'Neil, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    (L to R) April O’Neil, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    MF: What was the look and style that you were going for with the animation and what were some of the lessons you learned on ‘The Mitchells vs the Machines’ that you were able to apply to making this movie?

    JR: We just wanted to make it look different and make it unique. It’s a new version of the characters and we wanted them to have their own visual identity in the world, and hopefully in a way that supports the characters. So much of the story is about them feeling alienated, wanting to be accepted and feeling flawed that to make them slick and cool looking and perfectly designed, just felt dishonest to them. ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ taught us that this is technologically possible. I think studios used to hide behind technology as like, “Oh, well you can’t do that. The computers aren’t there yet.” But in a post ‘Spider-Verse’ world, and post ‘Mitchells,’ it’s like, no, we can, I know what the machines can do and they can do this, so let’s make it happen.

    Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Related Article: Ice Cube Talks Playing Superfly in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’

    MF: Why was it important for you to have all the actors record their performances together?

    JR: It made it crackle with electricity. It made them so alive and it just let them be relatable and talk to each other. So much of the interaction when you’re a teenager, it’s like your friend says something and you’d roll your eyes and you make a comment about it, or you make fun of them and they make fun back and it’s so hard to script that. But when you get them recording together, it just happens naturally. Then the job became, how do we capture that? How do we edit that? How do we keep the story going while maintaining the loose improvisational nature?

    Micah Abbey, Brady Noon, Nicolas Cantu, and Shamon Brown Jr. star in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Micah Abbey, Brady Noon, Nicolas Cantu, and Shamon Brown Jr. star in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    MF: Finally, can you talk about the music in the movie and taking inspiration from the music of ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater’ video game?

    JR: It wasn’t necessarily inspiration from ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater,’ but we had a bunch of different things and I love the ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater’ games, and we had hip hop, we had some punk songs and some metal songs in there at one point that kind of dropped out and we’re like, “Why does this fit together?” It’s just because all of the songs feel rebellious. They’ve got this kind of anti-authority energy to them, which is quintessentially teenage, and then that plus the Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross score, it just felt like things that you wouldn’t naturally think to put together, but as Tony Hawk proved, can coexist.

    'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies Present ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies On Amazon

  • Movie Review: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’

    April O'Neil, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    (L to R) April O’Neil, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Striking animation and its rapid dialogue make ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ a fun watch in theaters. The heroes in a half-shell take on the powerful Superfly while juggling their desire to fit in with the human world in the latest animated feature by Paramount.

    In ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ teenage turtle brothers Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michaelangelo are sheltered within the sewers of New York, longing to be like normal teenagers. They meet April O’Neil, an inspiring journalist who asks for their help in taking on a mysterious crime syndicate. They soon realize there is a much more dangerous threat that could bring harm to New York City.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?

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    Initial Thoughts

    One of the most eye-catching elements of this movie is the animation style. It resembles the style we see in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ mixing 3D animation and 2D hand-drawn design. It’s very distinct and perfect for the quippy dialogue and fast-paced action scene. The film includes plenty of references for dedicated Turtle fans, yet it is modern and hip for the new and younger audience as well.

    Story and Direction

    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ director Jeff Rowe.
    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ director Jeff Rowe.

    The film is directed by Jeff Rowe and Kyle Spears and gives the iconic turtle teens a fresh start. Opening the movie with an introduction to scientist Baxter Stockman and his work with mutation, the agents of T.C.R.I storm Stockman’s lab in order to steal his research. Stockman’s mutated fly fights back to in order to protect him, resulting in the lab being destroyed and some of the mutagen leaking down the sewer. This quickly establishes the antagonist, later named Superfly, as well as other well-known mutants such as Bebop and Rocksteady. This also builds the foundation for the inevitable battle between the Turtles and Superfly.

    While long-time fans are familiar with the origin of the turtles, there will be new audiences who are just meeting them for the first time. The film quickly sets up the dynamic of the brothers through their wisecracking banter and their undeniable bond. Although we know the Turtles to be crime fighters in past iterations, the movie doesn’t have the brothers battling villains right off the start. It focuses on the “teenager” part of the movie title and shows that although they don’t complain about running basic errands for their dad, they also long to stay above the sewers to enjoy normal things like a drive-in movie or see a concert, which gets them in trouble with Splinter who often warns them about the humans.

    Through a quick and hilarious exposition montage by Splinter of his and the Turtles’ origins, we understand why Splinter often cautions the brothers against being among the humans. Reluctantly, the brothers stay hidden in the shadows, away from humans and the world they long to be a part of.

    Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Past ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ movies and TV shows often cast adult actors as the leads, but in ‘Mutant Mayhem,’ the voice talents behind the four brothers and April O’Neill are, in fact, teenagers. This provided the characters with an authentic youthful energy. Combined with their use of modern lingo and endless references to pop culture, this energy carries through the entire film, making the movie quite fast-paced.

    The first two acts of the movie doesn’t focus too much on Superfly, even though he is the villain of the story. Instead, it focuses on the Turtles’ desire to be a part of the human world and do normal teenage things like go to high school. It also tells the story of why Splinter is so strict about the Turtles being seen by the humans, as he recollects his bad experience of being shunned and chased by humans. Aside from the awesome action sequences, the larger story is about the desire to fit in and be accepted for who you are.

    Related Article: Ice Cube Talks Playing Superfly in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’

    Easter Eggs And Pop Culture References

    Ice Cube as Superfly in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,' which opens in theaters on August 2nd.
    Ice Cube as Superfly in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ which opens in theaters on August 2nd.

    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtes’ has been around since the 80s, starting out as a comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Since then, many iterations have been created, from animated series to live-action movies. Fans heading into ‘Mutant Mayhem’ will need to keep their eyes and ears peeled for easter eggs and references. A segment of the “Ninja Rap” from 1991’s ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II’ can be heard in one of the scenes. Other familiar phrases like “Cowabunga” can also be heard in the movie.

    This animated film also includes many modern references, as the Turtles long to be a part of the humans and learn what they can through social media since they can’t interact with humans. The brothers referred to current musicians and media such as Beyonce, BTS, ‘Attack on Titan,’ the ‘Avengers‘ movie, and more.

    Final Thoughts

    The movie’s vibrant animation and hilarious writing make this an entertaining watch. The witty and rapid banter between all the characters keeps the energy high and the laughs coming throughout the whole movie, though at times, some jokes were repeated too much that it grew tiresome. Seeing the Turtles somersault between building and hitting their iconic poses will take you down nostalgia lane. This movie gave the well-known franchise a fresh start without erasing the good of the previous movies and series.

    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

    'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies Present ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies On Amazon

  • ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Interview: Ice Cube

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    Opening in theaters on August 2nd is the new computer-animated superhero film ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ which was written and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (‘Superbad’), and directed by Jeff Rowe (‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’).

    What is the plot of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?

    After years of being sheltered from the human world, the four Turtle brothers (Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, and Brady Noon) set out on a quest to be accepted as normal teenagers by the people of New York City through acts of heroism. With the aid of their new friend April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri), the brothers go on a hunt for a mysterious crime syndicate, but trouble arises when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actor and musician Ice Cube about his work in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ joining the popular franchise, his love for the Turtles, playing the villain Superfly, the recording process and bonding with his co-stars.

    Ice Cube stars in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    Ice Cube stars in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview with Ice Cube, Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, and director Jeff Rowe.

    Moviefone: To begin with, were you a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before joining this project and what does it mean to you to be a part of this franchise?

    Ice Cube: Oh, yeah, a big fan. I’ve been checking them out since the ’80s and I took my kids to the movies and dealt with the lunch pails, the bedspreads, the action figures and all that. Remember when Kevin Durant went to the Warriors and they was already champs? It’s kind of like that. It’s like joining a championship franchise and getting a chance to make a difference. So, it was a dream come true for any actor.

    MF: How would you describe Superfly in your own words and was it challenging finding the character’s voice?

    IC: Superfly is the King of New York. Everything that’s bad, you’ve got to run through him. You’ve got to check in, for sure. But he has a heart. He don’t want to be an ugly Superfly. He wants friends. He wants acceptance. He just wants people to like him. He just wants to go to happy hour and eat his bowl of sugar and smoke a cigar, man. You know what I mean? It’s one of those things where he’s a guy you can understand, and if you don’t give him that, he tears up New York.

    Ice Cube as Superfly in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,' which opens in theaters on August 2nd.
    Ice Cube as Superfly in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ which opens in theaters on August 2nd.

    MF: I understand for this film, the recording process was done differently than on other animated movies as you actually got to work with the other actors you were performing with. Can you talk about that process and what was that like for you?

    IC: It seemed like all animation should be done this way. You get a different kind of performance when you’re in the room with other actors who can match your timing, and you guys can kind of bounce off each other. It’s why the film feels so real and natural, and it doesn’t feel like the standard animation where you can tell somebody’s in a pristine studio, and they’re by themselves, and they’re trying to make it sound like they’re part of a group. This is the way to do it.

    MF: Finally, did that process allow you to bond with the four actors playing the Turtles, and what was it like for you working with them?

    IC: Very cool. All of them have great energy. All of them have great voices. When you think of animation, you think of people with amazing voices. How do you have a voice that’s perfect for a cartoon, especially when they’re young? I’m always amazed at these perfect voices that are chosen in animation, not just ‘Ninja Turtles,’ but most animation, they find the people with the most unique sounding voices that’s usually perfect. So, I like listening to them talk.

    'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies Present ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies On Amazon

  • ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2 Exclusive Clip

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    Way back in 1992, ‘The Mighty Ducks’ chronicled the misadventures of a rag-tag group of ice hockey players banding together under the mentorship of Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez), a lawyer whose past as a star junior ice hockey player is long behind him.

    He’s none too happy, then when after a drink-driving charge, he’s drafted in to coach the struggling Mighty Ducks team as his community service. These kids aren’t the cream of the crop – and if they are, the cream has curdled.

    And yet helps them find the strength to play like a real team, and they end up facing off against players representing the squad he used to be part of, helping him battle his own ghosts.

    The original movie was popular enough to spawn a franchise, with two cinematic sequels and an animated TV show that was only loosely inspired by the movies, and instead focused on humanoid duck superheroes who play ice hockey.

    Continuing and updating the story for a modern Disney+ audience, ‘Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ brings the ‘Mighty Ducks’ concept into the present day, where the Mighty Ducks, far from being rag-tag, is now a giant sports franchise with top-tier players. But when one of their own is dropped (Brady Noon’s Evan Morrow), his mother Alex (Lauren Graham) ropes Bombay back in to help coach a new group of unlikely heroes.

    Josh Duhamel as Colin Cole in 'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2.'
    Josh Duhamel as Colin Cole in ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2, which premieres September 28th on Disney+.

    Estevez isn’t back for season two, which finds the new Ducks – who were triumphant in their first season, winning the name back from the soulless franchise team – hitting the road with Alex to attend an intense summer hockey institute in California run by charming yet hardcore former NHL player, Colin Cole (Josh Duhamel). It’s a place for kids to get excellent at hockey — without school to get in the way. As our Ducks try to survive in this super-competitive environment, they’re faced with the question: Can you win summer?

    In this exclusive clip from Episode 6 ‘Twigs,’ the individual competition part of the institute’s program is ending, and it’s time for the tournament period to begin. Coach Cole is looking to drum up enthusiasm as the team jerseys are handed out.

    Alex, though, is not quite as impressed by the coach’s theatrics – at least until she considers that he “stuck the landing” with his inspirational speech.

    Graham, at least, is happy with how the series, created by the original movie’s writer Steve Brill alongside Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, tackles its themes. “The show philosophically looks at some of the pressures kids have through the lens of sports, especially as young teenagers now,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “Of course everybody enjoys winning, but at what cost? And what’s more important, is it your effort, your team spirit, or the results you get? Is it how you conduct yourself and what kind of character you have? It asks those questions in just a slightly more grown up way, because the kids are a little bit older now, there’s a little more romance, there’s a little more peer pressure kind of issues, and it’s all in the spirit of being a good team player, which I think is really sweet.”

    ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ streams new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

    Josh Duhamel as Colin Cole in 'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2.
    Josh Duhamel as Colin Cole in ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2, which premieres September 28th on Disney+.

  • ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2 Interviews

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    Premiering September 28th on Disney+ is the second season of ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers,’ which is a continuation of ‘The Mighty Ducks’ film franchise.

    After winning back their team name last season, season 2 sees the Mighty Ducks and their coach Alex Morrow (Lauren Graham) attending an intense summer hockey institute called Epic in California run by hardcore former NHL player, Colin Cole (Josh Duhamel).

    In addition to Graham and Duhamel the cast also includes Brady Noon as Evan Morrow, Maxwell Simkins as Nick Ganz, Sway Bhatia as Sofi Hanson-Bhatt, Luke Islam as Koob, Taegen Burns as Maya, De’Jon Watts, as Sam and Naveen Paddock as Jace Cole.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Josh Duhamel and Lauren Graham about their work on ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2, reuniting with the kids, Alex’s relationship with Evan, the new camp, Duhamel’s new character, and why he liked joining the show.

    'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2 premieres September 28th on Disney+.
    ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2 premieres September 28th on Disney+.

    You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Duhamel, Graham, Brady Noon, Maxwell Simkins, Sway Bhatia, Luke Islam, Taegen Burns, De’Jon Watts, and Naveen Paddock.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Lauren, Alex has a very specific idea on what summer camp should be. Can you talk about her reaction to arriving at Epic and meeting Colin Cole?

    Lauren Graham: So, we are under the false assumption that we’re going to a fun camp, and when we get there, we meet this really intense guy who’s talking about winning and working hard. It’s just confusing to me because both as a person and as a character, I really look forward to summer.

    I, as a person, was a camp counselor for many summers and so I definitely, as a character, come in with ideas of campfires, singing songs, s’mores, meeting people to make out and that is not what this camp is all about. So, that sets up the conflict that we have for the whole season.

    MF: Josh, can you talk about why Colin takes his hockey camp so seriously, and his reaction is to Alex when she starts questioning his methods?

    Josh Duhamel: Well, unlike Lauren’s character, he views summer as an opportunity to play hockey without school getting in the way. So yeah, his idea about this camp is, he’s singularly focused on excellence and making sure these kids attain the best possible hockey summer that they can.

    So, when she comes to town and with her attitude about summer camp and everything else, it really does cause a fun conflict between the two. She has no idea what she’s in for, and he really has no idea what he’s in for by her introducing him to this whole different way of thinking about how you might approach life in hockey. So, it’s a fun dynamic for sure.

    Josh Duhamel as Colin Cole in 'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2.'
    Josh Duhamel as Colin Cole in ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2, which premieres September 28th on Disney+.

    MF: Can you also talk about the estranged relationship Colin has with his son Jace, and working with Naveen Paddock?

    JD: Yeah, so I think that one of the reasons I love this show and to play this character is that he is a flawed dude, especially as a father. He’s really trying to figure out where he went wrong, why his son is becoming so much more distant from him. I think that he’s willing to reach out at a certain point and ask Lauren’s character, “What do I do?” This kid just doesn’t want anything to do with me.

    He realizes he’s been pushing him too hard. He is that dad that is forcing his kid to be something that he expects of him and not really thinking about what the kid wants. So, over the course of the season, he really does learn that, you know what, maybe hockey isn’t the be all end all, and that he needs to be a father first and lead more by example.

    MF: This season Evan is growing up and finding his own independence at the camp. Lauren, what role does his mother play in his life now and as the season moves forward?

    LG: I think that’s one of the questions of the season and a question that my character has, which is like, “Where do I belong if he doesn’t need me?” Even if he doesn’t need me to worry about him so much, he does need me to support his dream. He’s really is growing up and she’s kind of got to let him do that.

    I mean, I think at that age, the problems grow up too. He’s experiencing a little bit of a crush. I think going forward I’ll be able to help him with less little kid stuff and more adolescent stuff. Probably the arc of my character will be to continue to let him go and let him be a young man.

    Swayam Bhatia as Sofi Hanson-Bhatt, Luke Islam as Koob, De'Jon Watts as Sam, Brady Noon as Evan Morrow, Maxwell Simkins as Nick Ganz, and Lauren Graham as Alex Morrow in 'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.'
    (L to R) Swayam Bhatia as Sofi Hanson-Bhatt, Luke Islam as Koob, De’Jon Watts as Sam, Brady Noon as Evan Morrow, Maxwell Simkins as Nick Ganz, and Lauren Graham as Alex Morrow in ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2, which premieres September 28th on Disney+.

    MF: Lauren, what was it like for you to reunite with the kids for season 2?

    LG: It was such a relief to be back, to see them again, to have Josh on board and to really notice how they had matured. Everybody I think just enjoyed each other a lot and they forged even stronger friendships.

    Because we were at home in Los Angeles, I just think it was really fun. Brady stole my car one day and went to McDonald’s. So, these are the kind of adolescent shenanigans that we’re now up against that we couldn’t do in Canada. So, it was really fun. He was like, “I’m getting my license soon.” I was like, “Enjoy your French fries.”

    MF: Finally, Josh, what has it been like for you to join this series?

    JD: I wasn’t expecting to have nearly as much fun as I did. It was incredibly well written. These kids were just fantastic to work with. I didn’t know what I was going to be walking into. I didn’t know if they were going to be a bunch of little brats, and they weren’t! They were awesome, unaffected, talented, friendly, and enthusiastic kids. Lauren is such a great leader and she’s such a great influence on these kids as well.

    So, we had a really fun collaborative and creative environment and we made a show that I think is good on many levels. It’s emotional, and it’s very funny. Its action packed and it’s all those things that I think any family can sit down and watch, and it feels like it satisfies everybody.

    'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2 premieres September 28th on Disney+.
    ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Season 2 premieres September 28th on Disney+.