Robots prove to be man's best friend in Ron's Gone Wrong, the delightful animated movie from 20th Century Studios and Locksmith Animation. The adventurous comedy opens exclusively in theaters on October 22, which is a fact that adds to the interesting commentary on social media that is already laced within the narrative.
Written by director Sarah Smith (Arthur Christmas) and acclaimed screenwriter Peter Baynham (Borat), the story expertly toes the line between very adult concerns about the effect of social media on children's development and the childlike innocence of making a true friend in whatever form they present themselves. These themes are explored through the life of young Barney (Jack Dylan Grazer, Shazam!), whose despair over not having the latest B-Bot that all the kids at school use soon turns into an action-packed journey when his family gifts him a defective version that can't connect to the internet.
Grazer spoke to Screen Rant about the five-year adventure that was the making of the film and the joy of improvising with Zach Galifianakis, who voices the lovably kooky B-Bot Ron.
Screen Rant: What was your way into the character of Barney, and how did you most relate to him?
Jack Dylan Grazer: It was so natural. I don't mean to sound like a brat, but I didn't have to put too much work into it. I mean, that's not true - I put a lot of work and a lot of heart and soul and everything because I've worked on the movie for so long. Since I was 13, I've been working on this; it's been five years. It's been a long process, and it means so much to me that it's actually coming out now. It's so near and dear to me, this film.
When I first read the script, the thing that initially compelled me so much and captivated me was Barney and how much I related to him. I think I had just got out of middle school, and I was starting high school. I couldn't wait for high school because middle school sucked. High school was much better; middle school was so bad.
I remember there's a scene in the movie where he's going to recess - and I remember the dreaded recess; I remember that. I remember not having the thing that everybody else had, whatever it was - air pods, or I don't know - I didn't have it.
Over the course of those five years, how much did you get to play with the dialogue or the dynamics of Barney? Either in the recording studio or talking with directors.
Jack Dylan Grazer: Well, my voice changed a lot. That was the biggest challenge, I'd say. Having to match my 13-year-old voice as an 18-year-old is definitely a challenge. My voice still isn't an adult voice, but it definitely is different from when I was 13, when it was like a beetle's voice. A little buzzing beetle - the highest pitch.
Did you get to play off the other actors, or were you mostly working with the directors?
Jack Dylan Grazer: I was mostly working with the directors. However, I did get to do a session with Zach twice. That was fun. It's something you don't usually get the opportunity to do.
Did you get to learn any improv tricks from one of the masters?
Jack Dylan Grazer: No, but I'm pretty good at improv, so we improvised together. And it was fun; it was really fun. I was shocked that I walked away and realized like, "I just kept up with Zach Galifianakis at improv." We did. We kept up. I kept up with him! That's insane.
Obviously, the dynamic between Barney and Ron is the heart of the story, but his family life is also very heartwarming and simultaneously embarrassing. Can you talk about how he feels about his family?
Jack Dylan Grazer: He knows there's love, and he loves his family. He loves his family so much. It's different from the feeling he has at school; at school, he feels like he's in a fishbowl. And he comes home, and he's got a dad who loves him; he loves his dad, and he loves his grandma.
But he doesn't think that anybody understands him. And so, he's just like, "I'm not even going to try to explain anything. I'm so in my own head anyway; I don't wanna stress anybody else out." That's kind of how I am as well. When I'm feeling stressed, I love coming home and venting to my mom. Oh, my God, believe me. But I don't wanna put my stress on other people. Same with Barney. Barney's the same way.
Ron's Gone Wrong opens October 22 in theaters.
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