Hollywood Stargirl is a sequel to the hit 2020 Disney+ movie about free spirit Stargirl Caraway (Grace VanderWaal), a silver-voiced teenager whose simple acts of kindness work magic in the lives of others.
This movie follows Stargirl as her mother, Ana (Judy Greer) relocates them to L.A. where the teenager quickly becomes involved with an eclectic assortment of characters. They include aspiring filmmaking brothers Evan (Elijah Richardson) and Terrell (Tyrel Jackson Williams), and Roxanne Martell, a musician Stargirl admires and encounters on her journey.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Grace, Elijah, and Tyrel to discuss their roles in the movie, getting some insights into making a film within a film, their rodent co-star, and what it was like working with the legendary Uma Thurman (who plays Roxanne).
Of course, many of you will recognise Elijah from his role as Eli Bradley in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and you can watch the video below - or click here - for his Captain America 4 thoughts. We had a great time with the Stargirl sequel, so don't overlook it on Disney+ this Friday.
For now, check out our interview with this talented trio below:
Grace, coming into this film - which is among your first acting projects after Stargirl, what was the biggest thing you learned from getting to act alongside a legend like Uma Thurman?
Grace: I would say the biggest thing I learned is that success doesn’t change how fun this industry is and how much of a privilege it is to do our art. I was so inspired by someone who is so credible and has been doing it for so long and is just having fun with it and having a good time. I realised that never changes and it’s pretty cool.
Elijah and Tyrel, what would you both say was the most surreal thing you learned about making a movie within a movie?
Elijah: Yes, I feel the fact we can make a movie with an iPhone is, like, ridiculous. Technology has gotten to that point where all we need is a cell phone and we can go outside and make a movie! I feel like that was the most surreal part for me.
Tyrel: Honestly, and this is going to sound stupid, but the most surreal part for me was that I didn’t realise the gear available to independent filmmakers. The stuff we were using to shoot like the gimble left me saying, ‘People can just get this? Y’all have this at your disposal? This is dope!’
Grace, you have a very cute co-star again here in Cinnamon, but what were some of your favourite memories from this time?
Grace: Oh my God, the rats are so cute. This time [Laughs] I do not know what changed, but I remember on the first one, they were just whatever and chilled. We would rub Pop-Tarts on me, but this time, we did not use them and they just used their claws. I don’t know if this was your question at all, but I’m telling the story: their nails were so sharp this time! [Laughs] They were digging into my neck. I was literally clenching my jaw while this rat is doing that. They’re very cute, though, you’re right [Laughs].
The three of you have such a great dynamic in the film. What was it like tapping into that behind the scenes and did your real-life friendship start bleeding into what we see in the film?
Elijah: Oh yeah, most definitely. I feel like if you have that off-camera chemistry, everything on camera is nothing. You guys are genuine friends. We build that relationship and everything you’re seeing on screen is 100% real.
Grace: Yeah, and I feel like the closer we all got, the better the scenes were. I felt stronger walking away from takes and could say, ‘Yeah, that was really good. That scene felt real.’
Tyrel: We looked at each other and would say, ‘Did we a good job?’ And Grace would jump in and say, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah!’ [Laughs]
Grace: Yes! [Laughs]
Hollywood Stargirl premieres on Disney+ this Friday, June 3!