Opening in theaters on December 22nd is Illumination’s ‘Migration,’ which was directed by Benjamin Renner (‘Ernest & Celestine’), written by Mike White (‘School of Rock’) and stars Kumail Nanjiani (‘Eternals’) and Elizabeth Banks (‘Cocaine Bear’).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Kumail Nanjiani and Elizabeth Banks to talk about their work on ‘’Migration,’ their first reaction to Mike White’s script, playing ducks and relating to their characters, Mack and Pam’s relationship, where they would like to travel but have been afraid to, and working with director Benjamin Renner.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Nanjiani and Banks, as well as Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key.
Moviefone: To begin with, Kumail, what was your first reaction to Mike White’s script about this overprotective duck dad?
Kumail Nanjiani: I thought it was very funny. I thought it was very exciting. There was a lot of thrilling stuff in it, and I was like, “Oh, I would love to play this duck.” I was the duck; the duck is me. I’m scared of outside. That’s exactly who I am. I am this duck. Just as Elizabeth is Pam, I am Mack.
MF: Elizabeth, what was your reaction to the screenplay, and could you relate to Pam immediately?
Elizabeth Banks: I felt like Mike White had been listening into my conversations with my children. He loves research and he’s sneaky, so he probably was listening in. (Producer) Chris Meledandri called to offer me Pam. He kind of described it, and I was like, “Oh, yeah. I’m going to get this right away.” I hesitate to say woman, but I will just say I related it to being a woman who is looking to break out, who’s been taking care of everybody, and just wants a sunny day where she doesn’t have to worry about anything like, “Is it so hard to want to put my feet in the warm sand?” She’s looking for support from her family, who she does nothing but support all the time. I really felt like, “Wow, women are going to relate to this.”
Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Migration’
MF: This is odd to say about two ducks, but Mack and Pam have a very healthy and loving marriage. Can you talk about that?
EB: Well, we talked about how we’re both longtime married people, and we talked about how this movie wasn’t just about the family. It really is about this couple, and reconnecting, and giving compromise and respect. Giving each other the opportunity to show what the other is capable of, and surprise and grow.
KN: It’s compromise and communication and learning from each other. All that stuff. I mean, two people make something greater than themselves.
MF: Kumail, Mack is afraid to travel and leave his home. Is there anywhere in the world that you would love to travel, but have been afraid to, for any reason?
KN: Yeah. I don’t want to say the names of those places. I don’t want to upset any tourism boards. But there are a couple of places I can think of right now that I’d love to go to, but I think it’s just a little bit dangerous. I do love traveling. I like going to other places. Emily (V. Gordon) and I do that a lot, we try. We’re lucky enough that we get to do it if we want to, and we try and leave the country twice a year, not for work. So very lucky that we get to do that because I like all kinds of food. That’s the main reason to go anywhere.
MF: Finally, Elizabeth, can you talk about the recording process and working with director Benjamin Renner?
ec3P3OFeTUV1epK8NiWdB5EB: Well, he’s so detail oriented. I love that, right? It’s like he’s got an idea about something, and he was good at communicating. Then he also remained open if it was like, “Oh, my gosh. That tickled me. I never thought about it that way.” So, I really felt there was a great back and forth in collaboration. He worked so hard on this movie. It’s so beautiful. We really did not see the finished product until the very end. I mean, those details get laid in so late. I’ve seen it three times and I’m going to take all my nephews.
What is the plot of ‘Migration’?
The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack (Kumail Nanjiani) is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England Pond forever, mom Pam (Elizabeth Banks) is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax (Caspar Jennings) and duckling daughter Gwen (Tresi Gazal)—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.
As the Mallards make their way south for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined.
Who is in the cast of ‘Migration’?
- Kumail Nanjiani (‘The Big Sick‘) as Mack Mallard
- Elizabeth Banks (‘Pitch Perfect‘) as Pam Mallard
- Awkwafina (‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings‘) as Chump
- Keegan-Michael Key (‘Wonka‘) as Delroy
- David Mitchell (‘Greed‘) as Googoo
- Carol Kane (‘The Princess Bride‘) as Erin
- Danny DeVito (‘Twins‘) as Dan
- Caspar Jennings (‘Sing 2’) as Dax Mallard
- Tresi Gazal as Gwen Mallard
Other Movies Similar to ‘Migration’:
- ‘Despicable Me‘ (2010)
- ‘Hop‘ (2011)
- ‘The Lorax‘ (2012)
- ‘Despicable Me 2‘ (2013)
- ‘Minions‘ (2015)
- ‘The Secret Life of Pets‘ (2016)
- ‘Sing‘ (2016)
- ‘Despicable Me 3‘ (2017)
- ‘The Grinch‘ (2018)
- ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2‘ (2019)
- ‘Sing 2‘ (2021)
- ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru‘ (2022)
- ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘ (2023)
