Paul Rudd’s Simple Request to Avoid Confusion in New Comedy ‘Friendship’ Revealed!

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In a delightful turn of events, director Andrew DeYoung finds it gratifying that his debut feature film, with its darkly comedic tone, draws parallels to movies like “What About Bob” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” The narrative revolves around an unconventional friendship between Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson), a hardworking man, and Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd), his weather-forecasting neighbor. Their bond deepens until a casual garage boxing match pushes the boundaries too far, causing a rift between Austin, Craig, and their circle of friends. Unable to accept the rejection, Craig embarks on a series of escalating attempts to reconcile.

DeYoung, who created the Craig Waterman character based on his friend Robinson, drew inspiration from his personal struggle to forge a friendship as an adult.

Instead of a traditional breakup, it felt more like an attempt to spend time with someone who didn’t react as I had hoped. It left me feeling annoyed that the person didn’t respond to me. Later, I realized my response was immature and thought, ‘This could make a great comedy – a middle-aged man trying to form a friendship with another middle-aged man.'” DeYoung shares this sentiment with The Hollywood Reporter, promoting the film Friendship‘s wide theatrical release on May 23.

In the film “Friendship,” directed by DeYoung, there’s a connection with the 2009 comedy “I Love You, Man” starring Paul Rudd. In “I Love You, Man,” Rudd played Peter Klaven, who rushed to find a best friend for his wedding. Here, in “Friendship,” Rudd takes on the role that Jason Segel had previously, a laid-back, charismatic character. Moreover, DeYoung’s film, A24 release, shares a resemblance with Rudd’s past work as his character Austin is a local newsman, similar to his character Brian Fantana from “Anchorman.

In terms of their tone, the three movies could not contrast more significantly. Consequently, Rudd paid little heed to finding similarities, save for one specific aspect.

Initially, the character from Austin was known as Brian. However, in reference to his role in the movie “Anchorman” (a local newsman), this character’s original name was the same as DeYoung explains. When Paul Rudd joined the cast, he suggested changing the name to avoid any confusion with his own persona. DeYoung agreed, and Rudd then proposed the name Austin for the character.

In his recent chat with THR, DeYoung also shares insights about the extraordinary reaction to the film’s debut at TIFF in 2024 and why he believes that the theater-going comedy experience is set for a resurgence.

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During his conversation with THR, DeYoung talks about the unusual response to the movie’s premiere at TIFF in 2024 and expresses his optimism that the theater-based comedy genre will make a comeback.

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Up until now, you’ve been responsible for a large amount of comedic work on TV. If you’ve always harbored dreams of moving into features, did you eventually decide to take matters into your own hands and create your own opportunities?

Indeed, I relocated to Los Angeles with the aim of producing films, and as I progressed in creating short films and similar projects, I found myself drawn into television. This transition has been quite beneficial for me. However, my primary ambition remains the creation of feature films.

Your own friendship breakup inspired this tale? 

As a gamer, I found myself longing for some casual gaming sessions with a friend, but the response wasn’t what I expected. It was just a friendly invitation, yet it felt like my attempts were being ignored, which made me feel quite frustrated. Reflecting on my reaction, I realized it was childish and decided to turn the situation into something humorous. So here I am, crafting a script about a middle-aged guy trying to make friends with another middle-aged man – who knows, it might just make for a great comedy!

After the premiere of your film at TIFF, it was picked up by A24. Was the sensibility portrayed in the movie something you had specifically intended for them when writing the script?

Absolutely not. To be honest, I’m not entirely familiar with A24’s style, but I’m a huge admirer of their work. It’s truly a delight that things have turned out this way, and they’ve been simply amazing collaborators. So, I wrote a film that would make Tim and me chuckle, and I believe that’s a good enough reason to take a chance on it.

Is it known if Paul helped set up any matches during the release of his A24 film, ‘Death of a Unicorn,’ which is currently playing in theaters?

As far as I’m aware, that’s the story. It goes like this: Sam Hanson, a producer at A24, watched the film at TIFF and texted everyone within 20 minutes of starting it that they should purchase the movie. This is the account I prefer to trust, but who knows what really happened behind the scenes.

While immersed in the show, I found myself pondering if the eccentric character, Craig Waterman, was tailor-made for Tim Robinson. Upon further research, it seemed my suspicions were correct. The role’s quirky and unconventional nature seems to be a perfect fit only for Tim. How much of Craig’s offbeat energy is a reflection of Tim’s own natural flair? This question lingers in my mind.

Initially, when I began writing approximately a month into the process, I created the character named Tim. Surprisingly, I hadn’t planned this for him at first. However, given his exceptional acting skills and knack for injecting humor into his roles, I felt he would be perfect for this part. Therefore, I tailored the script to showcase his strengths and talents. Although I can’t guarantee it addresses your question directly, I was confident that he could breathe life into the role in a unique way compared to other comedies, which is what I aimed for while writing.

Was there ever any difficulty for Paul Rudd, given his previous work in comedies that revolve around local news and male friendships, when it came to the connection between “I Love You, Man” and “Anchorman”?

We didn’t go into it too much. The Austin character’s original name was Brian … 

Terrible name.

(Laughs.) It’s quite a fitting name, isn’t it? I can’t quite remember why I picked Craig and Brian initially, but Brian is the name of my Anchorman character. So when Paul joined, he suggested we change it to avoid any confusion between the two. I agreed, and then he proposed the name Austin instead. Although Brian is a great name, for this character, Austin seems more suitable.

Rather than the film “I Love You, Man” focusing on Rush, the weather man character portrayed by Paul introduces Craig to Slipknot. Did you compose a letter to them?

I’ve never penned them a letter, yet, being a fan of their work, I yearn to compose one for them. Slipknot wasn’t part of the script; it was merely an editing choice. Initially, I knew there would be a punk tune, but I always envisioned something not entirely punk. It resonates with Craig’s character. He’s attempting to appeal to Austin’s tastes, but he’s not quite hitting the mark. Therefore, I adore that song and included it in the edit, and I’m grateful for the financiers who supported it, enabling us to include it in the final cut.

Was Paul aware that the Marvel commentary in the movie didn’t directly relate to any of his own scenes? Craig always made sure to keep things spoiler-free throughout.

In essence, we didn’t delve deeply into the topic. He undeniably read through the script, and there was an instance where Craig suggested they watch the latest Marvel movie. However, the conversation didn’t go much further on this subject. Paul seems to grasp the humor and wit embedded in it, while Craig is a character who appreciates these kinds of things. I’m not implying any disdain towards them, and neither does the character. He’s simply a fan and enjoys these aspects.

Is it common for people to feel frustrated with politicians, but have you ever wondered why Austin formed a band that bears the name of his dislike for the city’s mayor? 

In the storyline, I subtly hinted at broader issues that resonated with many, yet left specifics untouched. These themes seemed to reflect personal grievances some of us hold towards the political sphere.

Austin hosted an event that unfortunately turned sour because of a boxing accident with Craig, and I’ve also attended a function where the identical predicament occurred, albeit without any soap being present.

No way! 

Absolutely, there was an incident where one person struck another quite forcefully, spoiling the entire atmosphere. Furthermore, on another occasion, a friend accidentally walked into a glass patio door, but fortunately, it didn’t break as severely as what happened to Craig.

(Laughs.) That’s incredible.

Did Tim actually go to town on some Irish Spring or whatever it was?

That was some white chocolate! It wasn’t harsh at all. After a few attempts, Tim said, “Surprisingly, this is quite good.” So he really enjoyed the “bar,” and I went to great pains to ensure we didn’t give him a real bar of soap instead, which almost happened. (Laughs.)

Craig’s Subway hallucination. If you couldn’t clear Subway, what was your backup option?

Initially, I penned it down assuming there might be some revisions required. However, to my delight, my team enthusiastically responded, “Subway is on board!” If I had to invent a sandwich shop for the sake of similarity with Subway or Quiznos, that would have been an option. But their wholehearted approval was more than I could ask for. It was truly exhilarating. Simply put, it was a dream come true.

Craig’s go-to brand of clothing is called Ocean View Dining. Is there a real-life comp for that?

Indeed, I didn’t make a comparison; instead, the name appealed to me. It was an idea I had conceived some time ago, and when this opportunity arose, I thought, “Ah, this could work.” You may have noticed this when browsing through thrift stores, encountering various clothing brands that seem like someone’s entrepreneurial venture. This fascination has always been with me, and I admired Craig’s connection to a specific brand of clothes that boost his confidence. Though it might be unfamiliar to many, we can all understand the significance of a brand that resonates with us. Thus, my intent was to portray him as someone who sticks to his habits.

I cherish recalling laughter-filled nights watching comedies such as There’s Something About Mary, American Pie, and The Hangover amidst lively theater audiences. However, it seems that the genre took a back seat at the box office, with people sourcing humor from different online platforms, social media, and Marvel films. Do you believe comedy can regain its past success in theaters? Was your TIFF premiere a sign of this resurgence?

Certainly! It’s evident that people crave a shared emotional journey. Writing the movie felt instinctive, and the TIFF screening was truly mind-bending. To hear an audience laugh at something we created is a feeling I haven’t experienced since Borat. It’s been quite some time. Laughing alongside strangers in a theater is such a profound, essential aspect of our individualistic, isolated lives, and this movie offers that experience. Kudos to A24 for making it possible for us to share this collective experience with even more strangers, hoping they’ll all be united in laughter. This shared experience is vital, and we truly miss it.

You and Tim have already re-teamed on something else?

Indeed, Tim and I were acquainted prior to the film, which made it simple for me to pass along the script and related matters. Fortunately, he appeared to enjoy his time on the movie and requested that I direct a pilot, which has since been selected by HBO. We’re set to begin filming “The Chair Company” within a month or so [Note: This interview was conducted on March 31] .

Do you have other feature ideas in various stages at the moment?

Absolutely! I’m consistently creating content and working diligently each day to determine what comes next. It’s certainly intriguing, thrilling, and a bit unusual, no doubt about that. However, my intention is to continue along this journey of innovating comedy, exploring new avenues if possible. Whether I’m succeeding or not, that’s the objective I’ve set for myself.

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Friendship is now playing in movie theaters nationwide.

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2025-05-23 00:28