As a seasoned actor and cinephile myself, I must say that I wholeheartedly agree with Winona Ryder’s sentiment. However, it seems to me that the younger generation, such as Finn Wolfhard, is keeping the flame of cinema alive and well.
In the leading role for “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy”, Gaten Matarazzo, who frequently mentions this series in his breakout show “Stranger Things”, has now become a part of his most beloved franchise.
In the opening episode of season 4, Gaten Matarazzo’s character Dustin Henderson from Stranger Things referenced Han Solo’s iconic line, “Never tell me the odds,” originally used in The Empire Strikes Back when Han navigated through an asteroid field. Interestingly, Matarazzo’s Lego Star Wars character, Sig Greebling, has experienced C-3PO’s skepticism firsthand, as Anthony Daniels returned to play his classic role of C-3PO, but this time as a sinister bounty hunter version in Rebuild the Galaxy. In this series, Sig altered the Star Wars universe significantly by removing “the Cornerstone” from a hidden Jedi temple, causing C-3PO to deliver less favorable odds. The miniseries created by Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit offers numerous amusing role swaps and transformations, such as Jedi Jabba the Hutt and Darth Jar Jar.
The native of New Jersey, much like his friend and fellow Stranger Things co-star Finn Wolfhard, has mirrored the leap into stardom by joining the Star Wars universe. This is similar to how he donned Ghostbusters costumes in Stranger Things season 2, and now, with roles in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Frozen Empire (2024), he’s taking his career to a level he himself once portrayed. Interestingly, Matarazzo shares the screen with none other than Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in these upcoming projects, voicing the main cast.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Matarazzo expresses that playing one character for almost half a century and being synonymous with that role must be incredibly gratifying yet extremely taxing. He adds that having Mark Hamill return is truly special, as he significantly enhances the series and underscores its brilliance since stars from the original trilogy are eager to join in. We are eternally thankful for his contribution.
Ever since I can recall, I’ve been a die-hard Star Wars enthusiast, and it all started at the tender age of six when George Lucas and Dave Filoni’s animated series, The Clone Wars, graced our screens on Cartoon Network from 2008 to 2013. Upon realizing what I was engrossed in, my family wisely decided to introduce me to the rich history of Star Wars through the original trilogy before delving into the animated series.
As a die-hard ‘Star Wars’ enthusiast, when I was presented with the opportunity, I couldn’t help but exclaim, ‘I don’t mind if it’s a poorly written script; I’m on board.’ Fortunately, the script wasn’t as bad as I feared. In fact, it turned out to be an ideal project that felt like a fan-made film. Remarkably, Lucasfilm gave Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit creative freedom, which was nothing short of extraordinary.
Shawn Levy, the producer and director on “Stranger Things” by Matarazzo, is also working on a new Star Wars movie at the moment. As you might expect, the young cast has playfully teased Levy about this, but so far, no one has spontaneously demonstrated an audition through imitating a lightsaber fight like Dustin and Steve (Joe Keery) did in season three. Matarazzo believes that Levy is just what Star Wars needs, and of course, he’d be thrilled to contribute to his project in any way possible.
We’ve all been hinting at it, undoubtedly… He could infuse a sense of lightheartedness and delight into ‘Star Wars’, which is exactly what the series seems to require at this moment. And that’s why I’m expressing my thoughts,” Matarazzo says with a chuckle.
Speaking about the highly-anticipated final season of Stranger Things, Matarazzo finds himself approaching the final months of a year-long shoot, and a part of him wishes he could rewind time as the end draws near. During breaks between seasons, terms like “biggest,” “darkest,” and “scariest” have been frequently used to describe upcoming seasons, but Matarazzo assures us that Stranger Things 5 is indeed all these things.
Matarazzo explains, “The aim is clear, and it’s evident in the writing. Each season, this show expands in scope, size, and message. This year is no exception; I knew from the start that they had something grand planned. They told us upfront, ‘This one is going to be massive. We’re not sugarcoating it: it’s a full year production.’ Hearing that sparked excitement, like, ‘We’re really pushing boundaries this time.’ And indeed, we’ve been doing just that, and we continue to do so.
During a chat with THR, Matarazzo recently touched on the parallels he sees between himself and his Star Wars character, as well as voicing support for Generation Z’s movie viewing tendencies.
For the remainder of your life, you can proudly claim that you directed a Star Wars cast featuring Mark Hamill. Were you offered the role on the spot after that encounter?
Initially, I hadn’t realized that Mark would be part of the project when it was assigned to me. Nevertheless, it was an obvious yes for me. You see, I’m a huge fan of Star Wars, so when the opportunity came my way, I couldn’t refuse even if the script seemed mediocre. Fortunately, the script penned by Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, our talented writers whom I’ve long admired, was far from ordinary. In fact, it was such a captivating blend of ingenuity, creativity, and originality that the project transformed into a dream come true, almost like a fan-made film. I was thrilled, thinking, “This is going to be amazing!” Remarkably, Lucasfilm granted Dan and Benji considerable creative freedom, which was nothing short of remarkable in itself.
Was there a time when you received a call from your showrunners informing you that a new cast member had joined the team, and his name was Mark Hamill?
(Giggles.) Back in the day, I used to read those scenes featuring Luke in the booth and think to myself, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if Mark joined in?” It was more of a joke at the time, but then they replied, “We’re actually discussing it with him now.” And I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” But lo and behold, just two days later, they said, “Dude, we landed him!” Turns out, even they were as surprised as I was. However, I suspect that Mark appreciated the fresh twist Luke brought to the table.
He’s been playing Luke since 1977. To play one character for nearly half a century and be widely known for that one character, I can imagine it’s fulfilling, but very, very exhausting. So to have him come back and do this is really, really kind. He elevates the show so much, and he also accentuates how brilliant the show is since people from the original trilogy wanted to be a part of it. We’re eternally grateful.
Different generations have encountered the Marvel Cinematic Universe simultaneously, but Star Wars spans over such a long period that each group of fans has their unique starting point. Some may have discovered it through the initial trilogy at movie theaters or on LaserDiscs.
Empire on LaserDisc still looks so, so good.
For others, it was the prequels or sequels in theaters. What was your introduction?
I came into this world in 2002, which meant that by then, both “The Phantom Menace” and “Attack of the Clones” had already been released. As a child growing up, my first encounter with Star Wars was through “The Clone Wars” on television, but my mom quickly put an end to that. She said, “No way, I don’t want any spoilers.” Instead, she decided we would delve deep into the series. My uncle, who happened to be visiting from out of state and is a die-hard Star Wars fan, joined us. We all watched the original trilogy together, which ignited my passion for Star Wars that has remained unwavering ever since.
When did your recording sessions go down in relation to your other work?
During that period, I was involved in theater productions in New York, which proved quite convenient as my afternoons were usually open. Performances mostly took place in the evening unless it was a double-show day, making things relatively straightforward at first. Later on, I recorded some pickups for the upcoming season while they were already editing. This required us to return for Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR) and additional work, and coincided with my beginning work on Stranger Things 5. With its consistent schedule, it became somewhat challenging, but they were flexible enough to accommodate weekends. It was a great advantage that they accommodated me in this way during such a busy time. I appreciate voiceovers because they can be easily fitted into your schedule even when you’re engaged with other projects.
In the role, you take on Sig Greebling, a youthful Nerf Herder with Force abilities that make him a Force Builder. Did you find any similarities or connections with this character during the performance?
Upon first encountering the character, I immediately felt a strong connection. The creation of “Rebuild the Galaxy” marks a unique moment in Star Wars history, as it’s the first time a fan-created character has led a project within this universe. Moreover, this story is set after all three trilogies, allowing us to seamlessly incorporate elements from each tale. Rather than being an overt Star Wars devotee in his reality, he can be considered more of a history buff, much like myself. He shares the same passion for these tales that I did while growing up. Whenever I stumbled upon something on a script page that intrigued or thrilled me, I’d often read it with that excitement, and most likely, that was the tone they chose to keep.
In his everyday life, Sig is a native of a small town, much like me growing up in a small town in Jersey. For quite some time, neither of us harbored the desire to be anywhere else. Sig remained deeply attached to his home planet Fenessa, just as I was content in my familiar surroundings before being propelled into an exciting journey elsewhere. This transition mirrors my unexpected entry into this industry; initially, it was merely a pastime, but suddenly, I found myself on my way to New York City – a bustling metropolis that felt like another world compared to where I came from.
Surely, he narrates tales set in the universe of Star Wars to his youthful village companions. Frankly, I found the series intriguing as it explored the concept that Sig, the storyteller, was forced to confront the idea of himself becoming part of the very story he was telling.
It’s interesting to note that Dan and Benji didn’t simplify the show just because it’s meant for families and children. Instead, they chose to maintain its complexity, showing respect for their audience by assuming they are intelligent and capable of understanding deeper themes. This is one of the reasons why they are highly regarded – they create family-oriented projects that don’t talk down to their viewers. It’s a testament to their understanding that kids can appreciate complex stories and enjoy them immensely. Therefore, their approach makes the show more appealing and of higher quality.
Ignorant of the repercussions, he takes away a crucial element, “the Cornerstone,” from a clandestine Jedi sanctuary, causing chaos throughout the galaxy. What would you say is your foundation stone? Apart from your smartphone, what would cause your life to become disorganized if it were taken away?
My loved ones serve as my anchor in life. Without them, I might turn into someone less admirable, a prospect I’d rather avoid. (Laughs.) They always help keep me from straying down that path, and I believe it’s largely due to the comforting influence of home. Being away from home for work quite frequently makes me appreciate my roots even more. In fact, my colleagues will vouch for how tough it is to pull me away from New York, where I currently reside. Though I hail from Jersey, I’ve found a deeply cherished home in New York City. The places that keep me grounded are precious; when they’re absent, my life can easily descend into disorder, an experience I’ve had on occasion.
As a huge fan, I can’t help but notice the clever reinterpretation of “Star Wars” elements in Sig’s work. Was there a particular twist or turn that really excited you, like perhaps the transformation of Jar Jar Binks into Darth Jar Jar?
It turns out that Darth Jar Jar was indeed real, thanks in part to my contributions. Now, while the revelation was initially a joke, I’m thrilled that they invested time crafting a five-minute scene to clarify that Greedo fired first when it was actually Greedo and Leia who became a pair. I find this absurdity hilarious, and it feels quintessentially Dan and Benji. As I read the two preceding pages, my initial thought was, “They couldn’t have really done this.” But they did, and I can’t get enough of it!
Did I find it cleverly done when you and Tony Revolori were cast as brothers, not only due to your shared vocal tone? And has this similarity in voices been frequently pointed out in discussions about the casting up till now?
It has, and I didn’t expect that. I don’t know if they knew that going in, but weirdly enough, we do have a similar cadence to the way we go about our voiceover work. And ultimately, when I watched it, I thought we complemented each other pretty well in that department. We didn’t work together in the booth at all, so it was just a matter of Chris [Buckley], our director, and Dan and Benji, our writers, piecing together what they thought fit. So they did a wonderful job, and I only really got to know Tony recently during the press tour. He’s now a good bud, and I’m grateful for him.
Stranger Things producer-director Shawn Levy is developing a Star Wars movie.
He is!
After he finished working on Deadpool and Wolverine, when he went back to the Stranger Things set, was there ever a lightsaber fight staged for his benefit, perhaps as a subtle hint during casting to spark his memory later on?
(Laughs.) That’s an intriguing suggestion! We haven’t witnessed such a scenario yet, but it certainly seems promising. There have been light-hearted discussions about it among us, without a doubt. However, he’s currently juggling quite a few tasks and has been working tirelessly. I’m genuinely thrilled for him. It’s important to note that this director is well-known for his impressive body of work, including some of my personal favorites even before his involvement in “Stranger Things.” Given all the new projects he has now, they are truly well-deserved.
Is Stranger Things 5 the “biggest, darkest, scariest” season yet?
(Chuckles.) It seems that’s the aim. That was undoubtedly the purpose in crafting it. One constant aspect of this series is its expansion each year, both in scope and size, as well as the message it aims to convey. This season is no exception, and I had a sense early on that they were preparing something substantial. They hinted, “This one is going to be massive. We’re not sugarcoating it: it’s a full year shoot.” This sparked a significant response of, “Oh, so we’re truly pushing boundaries.” And indeed, we have been doing just that and continue to do so. I can’t wait for people to see the results!
Are you secretly relieved that the last two seasons of the life-altering experience were postponed for as long as they were? After all, it’s tough to let go of such a significant opportunity.
If someone had asked me about this project last year, I would have eagerly said, “Yes, let’s dive in! Let’s get started.” I’ve always been excited and passionate about it, so any delays have definitely been aggravating. However, as we near the end of filming for our fifth season, I find myself longing for a Time-Turner. It’s been surprising to see how quickly these years have flown by. I can still recall many details from that first season as if it were yesterday. We were so young and the entire experience was so unusual and exhilarating that it all feels like a blur. So, while I don’t remember every detail of filming season one with razor-sharp clarity, there are certain moments that stand out as if they happened just yesterday. And now, I’ve spent more time on Stranger Things than I haven’t. It’s been about a decade of my life, and it’s the most transformative decade of my life. Therefore, I will always be grateful, and accepting that this part of my life may soon come to an end is becoming increasingly challenging, both professionally and personally. So, next season, you can expect me to approach work with the same enthusiasm and emotional investment as before. This change will undoubtedly require a different kind of adjustment, and I’m eager to see what lies ahead.
Is there a fun and entertaining partnership between Dustin and someone else, like Steve, Erika, or Eddie, in the fifth season, similar to his previous pairings that add depth to the show? I’m not asking for specific names, but rather if there is another such duo involving Dustin.
This one stands out because it focuses on bringing back our beloved characters from the start, and I must say, they’re handling it exceptionally well. I believe each character will be paired differently than what we’ve grown accustomed to, which adds a lot of depth to their development and provides numerous enjoyable scenarios. This approach significantly enhances the overall character work and offers plenty of exciting possibilities for everyone involved. It seems that this could be happening across the board, although Dustin might not be exploring new pairings as much, but that’s been an intriguing journey to watch as well.
(Laughs.) Give it a go!
Are you working with anyone that you’ve never really worked with before?
Instead of giving a straightforward answer, it’s tricky because doing so might be misleading. There’s an intriguing blend of maintaining closeness with family and exploring ways to enhance the characters by interacting in new ways. So, I’ll say both yes and no. I understand this response might seem confusing or evasive, but I believe it accurately reflects the situation.
You raised an intriguing point during Michael Rosenbaum’s show regarding your satisfaction with being primarily recognized for Stranger Things. However, I would like to bring up Sean Astin as a counterpoint. Initially, he was synonymous with Mikey from The Goonies, then Rudy, and subsequently Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings. Now, to younger generations, he’s recognized primarily as Bob from Stranger Things. This demonstrates that the trajectory of one’s career can be unpredictable, and it’s hard to tell how fame will evolve over time.
Absolutely, I completely agree. Sean’s career journey has always been inspiring to me. There are many parallels between his early steps in the industry and mine. During the one season we worked together, he was incredibly kind-hearted towards everyone on set, including us young actors. Regrettably, there weren’t many opportunities for me to interact with him directly, but when we were around, he would always ask about our wellbeing and offer advice freely. I can only imagine how wonderful it would have been to share more screen time with him.
Indeed, your observation is quite captivating: “You’re destined to be remembered for this, and then for that.” At some point, everyone amasses a diverse portfolio. It becomes impossible to categorize when the work is consistently iconic. Thus, he has enjoyed a thriving and multifaceted career, a model of success we all aspire to achieve.
Recently, Winona Ryder expressed confusion over some of her younger co-stars’ lack of interest in movies. She certainly wasn’t referring to you or Finn Wolfhard. So, what films or shows have you found particularly enjoyable recently?
Over the past few years, living with Finn in Atlanta during our filming projects has broadened my appreciation for movies significantly. Finn is an avid cinephile, introducing me to many classics I hadn’t previously seen. His all-time favorite movie is “Boogie Nights,” which he encouraged me to watch for a while until I finally did. We also watched Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia” around the same time. One unexpected gem I discovered was Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil,” a fascinating conceptual film that I believe wouldn’t be made today due to its risky nature. Spending time with Finn has greatly expanded my diverse film tastes. Recently, I watched Doug Liman’s “Go” alongside him, which turned out to be quite enjoyable.
So Finn is keeping you on the path to cinephilia.
Spending time with Finn seems to naturally expand one’s musical preferences and cinematic tastes.
Winona is right in a larger sense, though.
Totally!
It appears that members of Generation Z don’t seem to value going to the movies as much as previous generations. Could this be due to their attentions being molded by social media?
It’s possible, but let me say that my generation deserves a bit more recognition. Merely because we don’t have the tradition of visiting cinemas doesn’t mean there aren’t many film enthusiasts among us. In the past, people went to cinemas primarily due to lack of alternatives, which is why they ended up watching a lot of what was being released. But back then, most of the films shown were big blockbusters. Nowadays, more independent and diverse movies have the chance to be produced and distributed. I believe that my generation is more inclined towards exploring lesser-known gems. They are more critical about the content they consume, which has led to a more discerning approach when it comes to watching movies. I think this trend will continue to grow, and members of my generation will eagerly dive into these hidden cinematic treasures. Although it may not be as widespread, those who are genuinely interested are extremely passionate. They have access to an immense amount of research material, and if they wish, they can watch every movie ever made.
As a gamer, I can’t help but miss the thrill of going to the cinema and immersing myself in the big screen experience. There are still pockets of magic left here and there that keep this tradition alive, and I truly hope more people will find their way back to theaters. Honestly, I’ve been trying to make it a regular thing, but let’s face it, Gen Z is a powerhouse of creativity! The future of the industry is bright in their capable hands.
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LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy is now streaming on Disney+.
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2024-09-27 21:57