Moviefone Editorial

Tag: buddy-games

  • ‘Preschool’ Interview: Josh Duhamel and Michael Socha

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    Available digitally on March 17th is the new comedy ‘Preschool‘, which was directed by actor Josh Duhamel (‘Transformers’ and ‘Buddy Games’). In addition to Duhamel, the film stars Michael Socha (‘Papillon’), Antonia Thomas (‘Bagman’), Charity Wakefield (‘Scoop’), and Fenella Woolgar (‘Judy’).

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    Josh Duhamel attends the LA Special Screening of 'Preschool'. Photographer Credit: Jesse Grant.
    Josh Duhamel attends the LA Special Screening of ‘Preschool’. Photographer Credit: Jesse Grant.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actor and director Josh Duhamel, as well as Michael Socha about their work on ‘Preschool’, the film’s tone, how Duhamel’s previous experience directing prepared him for this project, Socha’s character, what it was like being directed by Duhamel, and shooting the movie’s funniest scene.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    Related Article: Josh Duhamel and Director Allan Ungar Talk Action Comedy ‘London Calling’

    (Center) Josh Duhamel as “Alan” in Comedy, Family Film, 'Preschool'. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    (Center) Josh Duhamel as “Alan” in Comedy, Family Film, ‘Preschool’. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    Moviefone: To begin with, Josh, can you talk about how your previous experience as a director prepared you to make this movie?

    Josh Duhamel: Good question. I think that my previous experience gave me the confidence that I could do it. I think that first time out of the gates is very scary, but I knew enough to know that I didn’t have to know everything. You surround yourself with a great cast, a great crew, a strong editor, a strong production team, and strong department heads. There’s nothing more collaborative than making a movie or a TV show because all these super talented people from different walks of production must all come together. Part of the beauty of this is that it is all hands-on deck, and everyone’s here to make a great movie. We just had a fun time making the movie. Especially when you’re trying to make a comedy, you want it to feel creative, collaborative, and light because that transfers to the screen. So, this one was no different than the other two in that I knew that I just needed to surround myself with talented people.

    MF: Can you also talk about the specific tone you were going for and how you were able to achieve that?

    JD: It was originally scripted from Malibu, this preschool was sort of a new age, progressive preschool instead of this 400-year-old institution, which was kind of like Hogwarts. That changed the dynamic of what the film was going to be, but I thought for the better. There’s no shortage of tremendous talent in the UK and everybody, Michael, Anatonia (Thomas), Charity (Wakefield), James Cosmo, Fenella Woolgar, and all my day players, they are Shakespearean trained actors. These are very talented people. It was intimidating for me if I’m being honest. But tonally, it does change that. It became more of a collaboration of American comedy and British humor, and I love British humor. Thankfully, I had actors who really understood that and pulled it off.

    (Top to Bottom) Josh Duhamel as “Alan” and Michael Socha as “Brian” in the Comedy, Family film, 'Preschool'. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    (Top to Bottom) Josh Duhamel as “Alan” and Michael Socha as “Brian” in the Comedy, Family film, ‘Preschool’. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    MF: Michael, can you talk about what Brian is willing to do to protect his child’s education and could you relate to your character?

    Michael Socha: The thing is with Brian, I understand him. I get it. Do you know what I mean? I’m working class myself. I grew up working class and I understand, I suppose, the preconceived ideas of what not being working class is. I know that a lot of the people I grew up with, they were always fighting to get out of the rut that they were in, assuming if they’re not working class, then life’s going to be amazing and they’re going to have everything they want. But that’s just obviously not the case. This film, I suppose, makes that quite apparent.

    MF: Michael, what was it like working with Josh both as a director and a scene partner?

    MS: Josh was wicked. I can’t fault him, I really can’t. He was a kind director and gave me all the time I needed. He’s a great actor to work with, and a definite team player in every sense. Honestly, I’m not just saying it. I thoroughly enjoyed myself working with Josh. So, if he ever wants to cast me again in any future projects, I’m available for you, Josh.

    (L to R) Michael Socha as “Brian” and Director Josh Duhamel in the Comedy, Family film, 'Preschool'. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    (L to R) Michael Socha as “Brian” and Director Josh Duhamel in the Comedy, Family film, ‘Preschool’. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    MF: Josh, can you talk about shooting the scenes with the fictional children’s band ‘The Wild & Crazies’? Was that all scripted or was there improvisation involved?

    JD: It’s one of those things whereas you’re prepping for the movie, “Okay, we got ‘The Wild and Crazies’ coming here,” and then it’s like, “Wait a second, we have to actually create a kid’s show within the movie.” So, we really dove in on what drives me crazy about some of these kids shows, some of the creepiness, and the backstories of these characters. I decided that I wanted The Monkey to be sort of that Mick Jagger burnout who thought of himself as an actual rockstar and ended up accidentally in this kid’s band because he needed the money and then it turns into this giant thing. They’re smoking and drinking backstage, we don’t show it, but you can feel it. So, we really spent a lot of time, not only with their characters, especially The Monkey, but also their costumes. The kids think they’re funny, but the parents find them almost scary in a weird way because they’re so odd and strange. We had a lot of fun. This whole thing is just so weird.

    MF: Michael, your character has a huge fight scene with ‘The Wild & Crazies’, what was it like shooting that?

    MS: I remember just being knackered. I realized how unfit I was after probably by take two. I was like, “Oh no, I got to get back in the gym.” But it was great because they were stunt people in real life. Everybody except for Colin Carmichael, The Monkey, he was not a stunt person. So, they were just incredible and willing to take a couple of licks. Do you know what I mean? They took a couple of knocks. It was fun, but I realized how unfit I was.

    (L to R) Fenella Woolgar as “Mrs. Lawrence”, Charity Wakefield as “Lauren”, Josh Duhamel as “Alan”, Michael Socha as “Brian” and Antonia Thomas as “Sarah” in the Comedy, Family film, 'Preschool'. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    (L to R) Fenella Woolgar as “Mrs. Lawrence”, Charity Wakefield as “Lauren”, Josh Duhamel as “Alan”, Michael Socha as “Brian” and Antonia Thomas as “Sarah” in the Comedy, Family film, ‘Preschool’. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    MF: Finally, Josh, was it challenging directing the children on set?

    JD: It wasn’t so bad. The hardest part about directing kids is that you only have them for so many hours, so you really must be smart about how you schedule it. But they were both great kids and they were both willing to try all kinds of stuff. They were both also very athletic. The actor that plays Brian’s son was a Jiu-Jitsu artist, so we shaped a scene where he kicks my ass at their house and does the flip and the whole thing. This kid is an actual jiu-jitsu stud. He’s very good at it. Then the actress that plays my daughter in the movie is a gymnast, so I tried to incorporate as much of that as I could because the physicality makes it fun, but they’re also very good actors and actresses. They were both pros, thankfully, because that could have gone sideways quick.

    'Preschool' will be available digitally on March 17th.
    ‘Preschool’ will be available digitally on March 17th.

    What is the plot of ‘Preschool’?

    Two fathers (Josh Duhamel and Michael Socha) become engaged in a battle to try and enroll their children into a desirable preschool.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Preschool’?

    • Josh Duhamel as Alan
    • Michael Socha as Brian
    • Antonia Thomas as Sarah
    • Charity Wakefield as Lauren
    • Fenella Woolgar as Mrs. Lawrence
    • James Cosmo as Joe
    • Colin Carmichael as The Monkey
    (L to R) Josh Duhamel as “Alan”, Michael Socha as “Brian”, Antonia Thomas as “Sarah”, and Charity Wakefield as “Lauren” in the Comedy, Family film, 'Preschool'. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    (L to R) Josh Duhamel as “Alan”, Michael Socha as “Brian”, Antonia Thomas as “Sarah”, and Charity Wakefield as “Lauren” in the Comedy, Family film, ‘Preschool’. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    List of Josh Duhamel Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Josh Duhamel Movies On Amazon

  • ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening’ Cast Interviews

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    Opening in select theaters on May 19th and on digital June 2nd is the new comedy ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening,’ which is a sequel to 2019’s ‘Buddy Games,’ which was directed by actor Josh Duhamel (‘Bandit’).

    What is the plot of ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening?’

    Following the events of ‘Buddy Games,’ faced with their biggest challenge yet, Bobfather (Josh Duhamel), Doc (Kevin Dillon), Shelly (Dan Bakkedahl), and Bender (Nick Swardson) set out to honor their lost friend Durfy (Dax Shepard) only to find themselves in the middle of where it all began – Spring Break – where they learn their old school ways of partying hardly compete with today’s generation.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening?’

    ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening’ stars Dan Bakkedahl (‘Trumbo’), Kevin Dillon (‘Entourage’), Josh Duhamel (‘Shotgun Wedding’), James Roday Rodriguez (‘The Dukes of Hazzard’), Nick Swardson (’30 Minutes or Less’), Lochlyn Munro (‘Detective Knight: Independence’), with Ginnifer Goodwin (‘Zootopia’) and Jensen Ackles (‘The Boys’).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director and actor Josh Duhamel, as well as Kevin Dillon and Dan Bakkedahl about their work on ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening,’ making a sequel, their characters’ friendship, how they’ve changed since the first movie, and what Duhamel wanted to say about masculinity.

    Dan Bakkedahl, Josh Duhamel and Kevin Dillon star in 'Buddy Games: Spring Awakening.'
    (L to R) Dan Bakkedahl, Josh Duhamel and Kevin Dillon star in ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening.’

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Josh, at what point after making the original movie did you realize that there were more stories to tell about these characters?

    Josh Duhamel: I had ideas for days. We have ideas for twelve of these if they’d let us. I knew that there was enough story inherent in just these guys’ relationships, and having a group of friends very similar to these guys, that there’s so many different directions you could go. I felt like we made a funny movie the first time and then I saw how people reacted to it. When we showed it in theaters I was like, “Oh my God, these guys have the same stupid sense of humor that I have.” They get it. I was really worried about it. I’m not kidding. So that was a relief to be honest. Then to see it do really well was even further affirmation that people like to be a little naughty. They like to laugh at things, maybe they’re not supposed to. We went even further on this one because there’s a lot of stuff out there that, to me, is funny. We wanted to do it in a way that wasn’t overly mean spirited. We didn’t want to be mean-spirited in any way. We wanted it to be good-natured, but we did want to poke some fun. We poke a lot of fun at ourselves and it’s the only way to break through this stuff is just to lighten up and not be so sensitive and have some laughs. That’s the main purpose of these movies.

    MF: Dan, can you talk about the adventure these guys go on together to celebrate the life of their deceased friend?

    Dan Bakkedahl: Well, I think what was really brilliant about this is that if we’re going to start on a down note, like, “Oh my God, one of our best friends just died,” it’s great that we built this, “Okay, we got a plan. It’s half-baked because it’s us.” Then, “Well, okay. Something comes in, but we’re going to stay on track. Okay, now we’re split up, but we’re going to stay on track. Okay, now we’ve all got terrible hangovers, but we’re going to stay on track.” We keep on the mission. There’s a lot of off ramps where we go off to get loaded or try to get laid or whatever our thing is, but ultimately we get back on it because it’s all about honoring this friend.

    Nick Swardson as Bender, Dan Bakkedahl as Shelly, Kevin Dillon as Doc, Josh Duhamel as Bobfather and Dylan Playfair as Larry Lampshade in the Comedy film, 'Buddy Games: Spring Awakening,' a Paramount Global Content Distribution Group release.
    (L to R) Nick Swardson as Bender, Dan Bakkedahl as Shelly, Kevin Dillon as Doc, Josh Duhamel as Bobfather and Dylan Playfair as Larry Lampshade in the Comedy film, ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening,’ a Paramount Global Content Distribution Group release. Photo courtesy of Paramount Global Content Distribution Group.

    Related Article: Josh Duhamel and Elisha Cuthbert Talk True Crime Movie ‘Bandit’

    MF: Kevin, can you talk about how Doc has changed since the first movie and what it was like for you to reprise this character and reunite with the rest of the cast?

    Kevin Dillon: Well, I love working with these guys. I had a great time the first time around. I feel like we all hit it off right away. I felt like, I don’t know how he’s really evolved. I don’t really know that. He’s devolving, I feel. He’s still Doc, but these guys don’t give him many credit for that. It’s like, “Oh, he’s a chiropractor, that don’t count.” But I think all he does is wait around for the Buddy Games. To be honest with you, this time the Buddy Games didn’t even really happen. It’s a death that brought us together this time. So we still only did one real Buddy Games with the original ‘Buddy Games.’ It was like an accidental Buddy Games. It wasn’t a planned Buddy Games. But yeah, I think that’s what he’s really waiting for.

    MF: Josh, do you think any of the characters have grown or changed since the first film, or are they the same guys they’ve always been?

    JD: Well, I like to think that Doc’s probably evolved the most because he was in a pretty dark place in the first one. True to form, we all sort of lifted them up. I got a group of friends that whenever one of us is down, everybody lifts them up. It’s no man left behind. So yeah, I guess I hadn’t thought a lot about how much we’ve evolved, but I think that when you lose somebody you love as much as we did Durfy, I think people’s true colors come out. That’s part of the evolution is even in the worst of times, these guys still show up for each other. I think that’s part of the growth that you see. But at the end of the day, they’re still dudes who want to have fun, who really, truly, I think as they get older, appreciate this friendship that much more.

    Dan Bakkedahl as Shelly, Nick Swardson as Bender, Josh Duhamel as Bobfather, and Kevin Dillon as Doc in the Comedy film, 'Buddy Games: Spring Awakening,' a Paramount Global Content Distribution Group release.
    (L to R) Dan Bakkedahl as Shelly, Nick Swardson as Bender, Josh Duhamel as Bobfather, and Kevin Dillon as Doc in the Comedy film, ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening,’ a Paramount Global Content Distribution Group release. Photo courtesy of Paramount Global Content Distribution Group.

    MF: Finally, the film explores the idea of masculinity and what that is in 2023. Josh, what did you want to explore and say about the idea of masculinity with this movie?

    JD: Well, we wanted to have some fun with the extreme stuff that’s out there right now. We didn’t do it in a way to be mean-spirited. We wanted it to be fun, and I’m hoping that even those that are extremely woke can look at this and go, “Okay, that’s pretty funny.” Because we’re still making fun of ourselves at the same time. So it’s like if we’re going to do it to you, we’re going to do it to ourselves too. In this day and age, I think that everybody is pretty damn sensitive and we just wanted to lighten it up a little bit. I wanted to make a movie that was unapologetic, that explored some things that I might be a little bit provocative or controversial and we did it. But I think we did it in a way that balances the line pretty well.

    Josh Duhamel as Bobfather, Dan Bakkedahl as Shelly, Kevin Dillon as Doc, and Nick Swardson as Bender in the Comedy film, 'Buddy Games: Spring Awakening,' a Paramount Global Content Distribution Group release.
    (L to R) Josh Duhamel as Bobfather, Dan Bakkedahl as Shelly, Kevin Dillon as Doc, and Nick Swardson as Bender in the Comedy film, ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening,’ a Paramount Global Content Distribution Group release. Photo courtesy of Paramount Global Content Distribution Group.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening:’

    Buy ‘Buddy Games’ on Amazon

    ‘Buddy Games: Spring Awakening’ is produced by The Long Game, and Dakota Kid Productions. It is set to release in theaters on May 19th and on digital June 2nd.