Recently I had the privilege of sitting down with the cast of Annie to talk about the process of making the movie, and it was a blast! First off, we got to speak with Cameron Diaz and Bobby Cannavale, who play Miss Hannigan and Guy in Annie, respectively.
We kicked the interview off with a pretty simple question: what was Cameron and Bobby’s favorite part of filming? Without a moment’s hesitation, they both answered “Easy Street!” The number, of course, is a classic part of Annie that lays out their characters’ scheme to exploit the reward for finding Annie’s birth parents by setting up a pair of actors to pose as her mom and dad and collect the money offered by Will Stacks. Bobby in particular seemed to have a lot of fun with the scene, revealing that though dancing “doesn’t come naturally” to him, he “did the part to do that number.”
If Bobby’s hangup was dancing, Cameron’s was her fear of singing in front of people. However, just as she conquered her fear of heights by jumping out of an airplane and scaling the face of a thousand-foot tall mountain (“not at the same time,” the actress added, chuckling), she similarly faced her vocal worries by “just charging toward it” and having confidence in the professionals handling her. Ultimately, Cameron had a great attitude about her anxieties in the role, sharing her idea that “if you run from fear, it jumps on your back and takes you down. If you run towards it and you jump on it, then you can take it down.”
Bobby and Cameron had quite a bit of advice to offer in regard to what Annie taught them about life. Cannavale mentioned confidence as a major trait that the film’s rehearsals instilled in him. He explained that the months of training for “Easy Street” in particular prepared him to walk confidently onto the set on the day of the shoot and charge head-on into the number that otherwise would’ve been difficult for him– and he was even comfortable and prepared to add in extra moves that day, like a dip at the end of the piece, that hadn’t been taught to him before!
Diaz also added that her character Miss Hannigan, contrary to the invalidated spinster that the character is typically portrayed as, is more a comment on modern society’s obsession with fame, social media and the like. “She never felt that so she doesn’t feel validated and loved,” and she takes this lack of self-love out on the girls. Cameron spins this into a great lesson for all of us: “I hope that people realize that they don’t need fame, they don’t need to be seen by others; they just need to love themselves for who they are, not what they aren’t.”
As far as lessons from Annie go, Bobby also imparted some wisdom about the character of Annie herself: “I always liked the idea, just as a general theme of the story, that anything is possible as long as you’re in the moment– and this little girl is so present and in the moment. She teaches other people who come into her life how to do that, and how we can really take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of us as long as we’re in the moment– that’s the only way we can see them.”
There’s plenty to learn from Annie, and lots of fun in the movie to share with your family– it’s a perfect choice for this holiday season. Read our review, stay tuned for our interview with Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhane Wallis, and Will Gluck, and be sure to go see Annie the next time you head out to the movies!
The holiday hit of 2014 is here! Annie has been an American cultural icon since the musical’s first production in 1977 (and even longer before that, with the comic strip that serves as its inspiration beginning its run in 1924!) With classic songs like “Tomorrow,” “Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and “NYC,” Annie has undoubtedly left its mark on the Broadway scene, and it’s no stranger to the silver screen either– the musical has been adapted to film several times before, but never like this!
Annie, which hit theaters on December 19, takes the classic musical and brings it up to date with new songs, new characters, and a completely modern setting. Starring Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) as Annie, Jamie Foxx (Dreamgirls, Ray) as William “Will” Stacks, Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, Neighbors) as his assistant Grace Farrell, Bobby Cannavale (Romance & Cigarettes, Paul Blart: Mall Cop) as Guy, his political advisor, and Cameron Diaz (Shrek, There’s Something About Mary) as the wicked Miss Hannigan, this movie’s got a star-studded cast that’s simply packed with talent!
If you and your family are heading to the movies anytime soon, Annie is definitely a great choice to see together. It’s got toe-tapping tunes, a great message, and most of all, heart. You can really tell that this movie was made with love by all involved– the cast’s fantastic chemistry is incredibly apparent, and helps Annie to go the extra mile and become a truly special moviegoing experience. You won’t want to miss this heartwarming tale of love, hope, and musical joy.
Check out Annie with your family this holiday season,in theaters now!
And be sure to stay tuned to see our exclusive interviews with the director and cast of Annie!
Recently I was invited to the Disney’s Into the Woods movie junket. The Junket was host to two panels – the first had James Corden (“The Baker”), Emily Blunt (“The Baker’s Wife”), Anna Kendrick (“Cinderella”), Chris Pine (“Cinderella’s Prince”), Director Rob Marshall, and Screenwriter James Lapine. The second panel featured Meryl Streep (“The Witch”), Christine Baranski (“Cinderella’s Stepmother”), Tracey Ullman (“Jack’s Mother”), Producer Marc Platt, andProducer John Deluca.
Anna Kendrick (star of Pitch Perfect) is certainly not playing your stereotypical Cinderella. She spoke about “how Director Rob Marshall was very interested in having a modern sensibility for these characters.” She compared her character to the notion that women don’t listen to their gut and “have to look at everything from every angle.” Noting that Cinderella allows herself to get into a better situation with the Prince but then realizes it’s completely fake and “the Prince is so vacuous.”
Cinderella’s Prince played the Chris Pine (star of Star Trek), the Prince says during a key scene “I was raised to be charming, not sincere” of which Pine spoke about that one line informed his character. The Prince is given the opportunity to reflect on his effect on Cinderella but only for a moment and then chooses to get back on his horse and ride off.
James Lapine spoke about weaving a new fairy tale into the existing ones: “I sort of hit on this idea of combining writing one original fairytale, The Baker and the Wife, and then weaving them together with existing fairytales, and so that’s how it all kind of went from there.”
James Corden, who played the Baker, shared that Meryl Streep took the lead at making him and the others feel comfortable.He said her attitude was, if an individual does well, the film does well. She seems like an an amazing person, not just an amazing actress. As the biggest “name” in the movie, it is nice to know that she wants to be a worker among workers, and not a diva: “she’s the reason actually, it’s the truth, she’s the thing that puts you at ease, because she leads from the front and she knows how you feel when she walks in the room, and she does everything she can to put you at ease and make you feel like we are all a company of actors who will get the best out of this experience if we support each other. And I think it shines through in the film that this is a company of people where no one is trying to steal the limelight or the movie from anyone else. It’s a group of actors, friends really, all going, “No, no, go and be brilliant. Go and be amazing.” And that really comes from Rob and it trickles down through Meryl right to the bottom, and just below that, you’ll find me.”
Emily Blunt was concerned about the singing, but Rob Marshall reassured her that he wanted actors who could sing, for the movie, not singers who could act. The experience of singing (after a few lessons to bolster her confidence) was “exhilarating and impassioned” and “joyful.” Singing with the cast and a 65-piece orchestra for Steven Sondheim was a day she “will never, ever forget. Ever.”
Meryl Streep probably is the actress every actor and actress wants to be and when she decides she is going to sing well imagine the pressure. She was the first to come on board after years of turning down similar roles to take on the role of “The Witch” who longs for beauty and companionship. The one thing I was surprised by this New Jersey native at the press conference was her self-deprecating humor. I loved that she joked about rapping in the movie, “I haven’t really done my real rap scene yet”, wondering if Stephen Sondheim was aware it was even rap when he wrote that scene.
Christine Baranski spoke about how she had tried to convey a contemporary attitude, which would resonate with today’s viewers. She, Lucy Punch and Tammy Blanchard presented Cinderella’s stepfamily as social-climbing narcissists, obsessed with fashion and fame (personal fame, not necessarily the fame of others). Baranski not naming any names but pointed to reality shows that came to mind.
Tracey Ullman was asked about her pop singer status and responded graciously, calling herself a one-hit wonder, then singing a bit of “They Don’t Know About Us.” Streep and Baranski were quick to mention other Broadway musicals she’s appeared in, clarifying for those who didn’t know, that Ullman is a talented singer and actor with a long history in music and theater.
Christine Baranski, Meryl Streep and Tracey Ullman are long-time friends and have a sisterly affection for each other. The easiness and banter amongst them during the interview was what made it amazing and I’m happy to share two clips with you below. They were obviously having a good time joking with each other.
Recently we were able to attend a very special screening ofDisney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day courtesy of the Moms, with a guest appearance (and Q & A) from Jennifer Garner herself! The movie follows Alexander Cooper first as he experiences an awful day that’s all too common to him– he gets gum stuck in his hair, his rival schedules a birthday party on the same day as his, he gets in trouble at school– but Alexander feels like no one else in his family cares because things are going well for them. His father lands an interview for a video game company, his mom prepares to spearhead the launch of a brand new children’s book (and maybe get a promotion along the way), his sister is set to play the lead in the school production of “Peter Pan,” and his brother is about to be crowned prom royalty with his girlfriend. Things are looking up for the Coopers, except for Alexander.
But all that changes when on the eve of his birthday, just as the clock strikes twelve and his special day begins, Alexander wishes that the rest of his family could experience a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day just like the ones he’s so used to. Suddenly things begin to go awry for the family– and with their world in utter chaos on this “cursed” day, will they be able to pull their lives back together in time? Check out Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to find out!
Following the film we got an opportunity to talk with Alexander star Jennifer Garner in an audience Q & A, where she discussed the trials and tribulations of making the movie (like her inability to keep a straight face during some of the funnier scenes, and the fact that in one pivotal scene, they used an alligator rather than a crocodile) as well as her experience being a mom in real life. It was great getting to pick Jen’s brain about the process of making Alexander, and she’s absolutely perfect in the part of Kelly Cooper in the movie.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is in theaters now.
This summer, there’s a host of excellent new entertainment for the whole family on the Hub, including new episodes of your favorite shows and family movie premieres! Check out what’s coming up with our schedule below:
Friday, July 11: HUB Network Family Movie Premiere
Tough trial lawyer Gordon Bombay never loses. But when he’s slapped with community service, he must coach a ragtag team of pee wee hockey players who can’t skate, score, or win! Bombay soon realizes there are more important things than winning.
“What’s So Scary About the Jungle? Everything!”: Penny Ling is excited to meet Mrs. Twombly’s friend Tess Gregory, the host of a popular TV nature show. But the famous zoologist is mysteriously less-than-thrilled to meet Penny Ling, and Blythe and the pets are determined to figure out why.
“Kid President Made an Episode About Neighbors”: Kid President hosts “The Neighborhoodies,” an awards show celebrating good neighbors. In addition, Kid President collects earth items to send to the world’s space neighbors via satellite. Guest appearances by NBA star Jeremy Lin, the musical group “A Great Big World” and astronaut Ron Garan.
Friday, July 18: HUB Network Family Movie Premiere
“Two Pets for Two Pests”: Blythe has to help convince the Biskits to keep a set of twin chinchillas they got just for one day, while Sunil tries to prove to Minka that he can paint as well as she can.
“The Griffin Rock Express”: While the Rescue Team is kept busy renovating a train tunnel from the Mainland, a mysterious Superhero watches over Griffin Rock.
“Feud for Thought”: When Brittany gets a higher grade on a test, she shuns Whittany and starts hanging out with Blythe and the other “smart kids.” At LPS, two quarrelling koalas split the pets into opposing camps.
Recently I had the privilege of sitting down with the cast of Annie to talk about the process of making the movie, and it was a blast! First off, we got to speak with Cameron Diaz and Bobby Cannavale, who play Miss Hannigan and Guy in Annie, respectively.
Emily Blunt was concerned about the singing, but Rob Marshall reassured her that he wanted actors who could sing, for the movie, not singers who could act. The experience of singing (after a few lessons to bolster her confidence) was “exhilarating and impassioned” and “joyful.” Singing with the cast and a 65-piece orchestra for Steven Sondheim was a day she “will never, ever forget. Ever.”
