Sometimes in my line of work, I’m fortunate to enjoy exciting perks, such as engaging in interviews with renowned celebrities. Tomorrow, I’ll be unveiling my critique of The Nut Job. However, before the official review, I couldn’t resist offering you a tantalizing glimpse of this cinematic gem through an exclusive interview.
For the uninitiated, The Nut Job presents an electrifying blend of action and comedy set in the fictitious town of Oakton. The narrative revolves around the escapades of Surly, brought to life by the talented voice of Will Arnett, a witty squirrel, and his loyal rat companion Buddy. Together, they orchestrate a daring heist of a nut shop, leading them into a whirlwind of unpredictable and uproarious circumstances.
I had the privilege of conversing with the esteemed Will Arnett and Katherine Heigl, delving into their experiences. Here’s a glimpse of the insightful questions we had the opportunity to pose:
KH: Katherine Heigl
WA: Will Arnett
Have your little ones experienced the magic of this must-see movie yet?
KH: Not yet.
Have you already performed the voices for your kids? Do they recognize that you’re the voices?
WA: Sort of. I mean, they have heard me talk. They especially know the word “no”. I say that alot.
Do you use the Surly voice for them?
WA: I should.
Katherine, what attracted you to this role?
KH: I just really wanted to be part of something that I could share with my kids, and we are big animated movie watchers. I just thought it would be fun if I was in one.
Do you have a favorite character in the movie?
KH: Precious, the dog.
WA: Yeah, Precious is pretty funny and kinda sweet and very precious.
How do you feel about balancing your work and personal life?
WA: You are always trying to figure out a way. I reverse engineer it. I try to figure out what my kids need and then work backwards from there. I feel very blessed when I get to work on something like this. It doesn’t take you away from the kids.
Describe the traits of your characters and their taglines in a few words.
KH: I don’t think Andi had any tag lines except “no, Surly, no!!!”
WA: “We do it, BUT we do it MY way!” I can see my kids throwing that back in my face.
Do you have a preference for voice animation compared to live acting?
WA: I think most people would prefer not to see my face. (Laughs) It’s true. I get it. They are different. They each have their pros and cons.
In what ways does a film like this give you creative freedom?
KH: It’s a totally different experience. You are really on your own. When you are doing something live, you are working against someone else. What they do influences you. This is so isolated in a way. You have to imagine what it is happening. It isn’t like you are seeing the movie; it’s described in the script.
WA: It is different. It is freeing in some ways that you can hide behind the microphone and people can’t see you. What makes it harder in some ways is that you have to convey a lot in just your voice. It’s just a different discipline.
What’s your favorite thing to do when no one is watching? (This question was mine!)
KH: I have no idea. I don’t do anything unusual.
WA: Probably just charity work. Charity stuff. Help old ladies cross the street. I don’t want any credit for it though. I give money away. (He seriously deadpanned all that. It was pretty funny.)
As our conversation with Will Arnett and Katherine Heigl comes to a close, it’s clear that their involvement in “The Nut Job” extends beyond mere voice acting; it’s about bringing characters to life with passion and dedication. Their insights into balancing work and personal life, their approach to character development, and their experiences with voice animation versus live acting offer a glimpse into the creative process behind this animated adventure. With their talent and enthusiasm, Arnett and Heigl have added a unique dimension to the film, making “The Nut Job” a delightful and memorable experience for audiences of all ages.