The Peter Rabbit Movie Cast Exclusive Interview: Why Rabbits in Jackets and Beyond

We were invited by Sony to cover the Peter Rabbit Movie Press junket, Premiere and red carpet party.  All opinions shared are my own.

Sunny Los Angeles was the stage for a garden press conference for the movie Peter Rabbit. In turn, this made for an EPIC “take your child to work day”!!  Yes, my little man was my assistant for the press junket and premiere red carpet for Peter Rabbit.  We were hoping high of excitement!  Little Mr. Cool was blown away when at the press conference, Domhall Gleeson (Mr. MrGregor)  James Corden (Peter Rabbit), Margot Robbie (Flopsy), Rose Byrne (Bea), and Elizabeth Debicki (Mopsy) and director Will Gluck walked in to talk to us. We chatted about working in animation and some Star Wars too. One this is clear, this movie stays true to Beatrix Potter’s books and it tells of a new adventure for Peter.  Here is The Peter Rabbit Movie Cast Exclusive Interview: Why Rabbits in Jackets and Beyond for you.  Read on.

The Peter Rabbit Movie Cast Interview was tons of fun.  We addressed the big question of why rabbits in the film wear jackets! We also took stock of the fact that while this movie is based on the beloved story by Beatrix, it is a new adventure for Peter Rabbit.  As a matter of fact, director Gluck had many sessions with James Corden focussed on work that would make Beatrix Potter smile down on them.  I think they totally nailed it.

The Ultimate Objective of Peter Rabbit, The Movie

When asked how he prepared to end up channeling his inner rabbit, James Corden replied: “It was never really about channeling an inner rabbit.  It was mostly about how do we find a way to honor this character that is so beloved by Beatrix Potter.  How do we unlock this loveable mischievous character that has been created in these beautiful books? how do we honor it now in a film?  I just feel very fortunate to have been able to work with a director and writer like Will who just understands the legacy of that character in the world that it lives in and more than anything want to reintroduce this character to   so many young people who hopefully will leave the movie theater and go and discover these incredible books”.

Working in Animation

Margot Robbie hadn’t been involved in animation before.  That said, she found it liberating because she could concentrate on voice as opposed to actions.  For Elizabeth Debicki, animation is very interesting because while she is using her voice, she ends up contributing much more.  That is, because as they are recording their voices, they are being filmed.  From that video, some of the actor’s characteristics get put into the personalities or movements of their characters.  In the end, they can see much of themselves and each other in the bunnies.  

Balls and Sticks On Set

Working opposite to CGI characters, Domhall Gleeson and Rose Byrne who do the live-action portion of the movie,  are looking at tennis balls men in leotards and blue sticks.  Rose says that after a while it gets more normal and you tend to look for your ball. “You adjust yourself, you got to commit, right?! ” she exclaims.  Domhall Gleeson adds: “central things of the film is that human don’t know that animals cant talk in the world that we exist in. So it is good in a way that there wasn’t back and forth like conversation scenes with the rabbits”.

A Movie For All Family Members

Director Will Gluck announced that in reality, the movie appeals to those 2 to 98 years-old. The movie offers a lot of stuff for both children and adults  “You are never going to feel left out in this movie.  there is never a joke or a scene that is just for adults that kids won’t understand. we think we hit the sweet spot. You are going to have to take the kids to because they are nagging you to then you are going to be very excited early in and it’s for you as well”.

Fun Facts about the Movie Peter Rabbit

• There is not as much improvisation as much as a constant discussion on what makes sense for each scene, shares James Corden.
• Elizabeth Debicki explains that when you are recording try a line and maybe there was a funnier version or word and as an actress, it is a real workout vocally and mentally but it was really fun.
• Flopsy’s lisp was always part of the script.
• Margot Robbie is the third of four children and understands Flopsy’s power-play dynamic with her sisters.
• Domhall Gleeson is the oldest of four and always got the front seat without having to claim shotgun.
• Elizabeth tells us that “I love flopsy so much with her sweet little lisp.  Mopsy is not nearly as cute and adorable.  she is bossy and strong-willed“. 
• General Hux and Thomas McGregor are similar in that they are both uptight and are both thrown into walls.
• On those rabbit jackets, James Corden and Will Gluck can only say that if you don’t know we can’t tell you.  if you don’t get it we are not going to be the ones to tell you.  this is something you need to figure out by yourself….

The Cast’s Takeaway

On Mistakes

James Corden shares the wisdom of his 6-year-old who loves that the film shows him that everybody makes mistakes and everyone is gonna make mistakes but whats important is not the mistake that you make, its how you react to that mistake and the person you are after that mistake.  

On Laughter

Domhall Gleeson shares that “The aim with the film is to make children happy, to make children laugh.  There is no better feeling in this world than to make children laugh. It just makes you happy as well.  This is for children and if it does what we set out to do and make some children laugh I will be absolutely delighted”.

This movie will be a family favorite.  We had a great time learning more about it from the talented cast, and can’t wait for it to open in theaters everywhere on February 9th.  Do you have your tickets yet?

 

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