Day: February 20, 2014

Written by Role Mommy’s Danielle Feigenbaum.

You may recall the old cartoon, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, where a brilliant dog adopts a boy and they travel through history in their time machine. The new movie, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, is based on the cartoon – but it’s oh so much more! In the movie, coming to theaters March 7th, the duo uses their time machine–the WABAC–to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes The WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history. Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era: figuring out how to be a parent.
I was lucky enough to take my family to a screening of the movie and – we all LOVED it. With talent like Ty Burrell, Stephen Colbert, Leslie Mann, Patrick Warburton, Stanley Tucci, and Allison Janney lending their voices to the characters, how can it not be amazing? Max Charles who plays Sherman and Ariel Winter who plays Penny were both great. The movie is directed by Rob Minkoff, who also directed a little movie you may have heard of called, The Lion King. This movie even taught my kids a little about history (you can’t say that about kid’s movies nowadays). It was fun to have discussions with them after the movie, they had so many questions and wanted to learn more about Leonardo da Vinci, King Tut and Marie Antoinette! As you can see from this picture, they are definitely fans!
I was also fortunate to attended a press junket hosted by DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox. That is where I had the incredible opportunity to interview the stars of the film as well as the director.
Here are my questions to Ty Burrell (Mr. Peabody) and Max Charles (Sherman):
Role Mommy: I have a question for both of you guys. If you had a WAYBAC Machine, where would you go and why?
Mr. Max Charles: Either back to the old Mr. Peabody & Sherman or dinosaurs. Maybe not get too close to dinosaurs, stay in the WAYBAC.
Mr. Ty Burrell: Yes. I would first go probably to somewhere in the mid-’80s right before I cut my hair into a mullet and just try to warn myself of the impending doom.
I would like to not necessarily even meet but just see Buster Keaton. I’m a big Buster Keaton fan, and just see how he did what he did because I still find it a complete mystery how a house that falls on him and that kind of crazy comedy that I find it impossible. So, I’d like to see how that’s done.
Role Mommy: I know in animation it’s hard because it looks like you’re all together acting. But, you’re actually probably doing different things. I don’t know if you’re hanging out with Mel Brooks or the different people. But, was it fun being with your TV daughter doing the movie? Did you get to interact with her at all? (Ariel Winter who plays Ty’s daughter on “Modern Family”, is the voice of Penny in the film)
Mr. Ty Burrell: Well, the odd part of this process is that you’re actually alone. It’s very disconcerting actually because the nature of the business is reacting. I mean, that’s kind of really what it is, like seeing what the other person does and trying to react off of it.
So, Ariel [Winter, the voice of Penny] and I never saw each other at this job, not once. In the makeup trailer getting ready for our job–I wear makeup for my job. We would kind of chat about the process a little bit. But, it’s an unusual thing. It takes some getting used to it. And you know, you’re really putting your faith into a whole group of people, which also makes the reveal that much more thrilling when you finally see the result. And I genuinely love the movie. It was thrilling. It was really cool because you just have no idea what it’s going to be.
Mr. Max Charles: But, then we got to do one day together. And it was the first time we met each other. And right away, we went in to record. And our first scene was we had to scream at each other. And we’re just yelling. And then right when they said, “Cut,” it’s like, “Hey, nice to meet you.”
Mr. Ty Burrell: Yes, basically, I met the nicest kid in the world and then screamed in his face.
Here we are with Ty Burrell and Max Charles…

We also interviewed the director, Rob Minkoff and here is my favorite part of that interview:
Blogger: So, 20 years ago, you directed The Lion King, which had a really pivotal father-son scene. And now, 20 years later, you’re doing Mr. Peabody that also has a really–to me, sung out in the fatherhood kind of emotional bonding with the adopted child.
Mr. Rob Minkoff: Yes.
Blogger: Can you just talk about the roles of fatherhood in your movie?
Mr. Rob Minkoff: Sure. Well, I had a father. So, for me, it was an important relationship. I suppose I can draw it from personal experiences. I do remember on The Lion King, when we were making that movie, the very first line is Scar says, “Life’s not fair.” And I do remember my dad saying that to me when I was a kid because I was standing on the front yard, and my dad and my older brother came back from getting ice cream, and they both had an ice cream cone. And I said, “Did you bring me one?” They said, “No.” And I said, “That’s not fair.” My dad said, “Life’s not fair.” And boy, it really, really floored me. Life’s not fair. Is that right? Is that true? Wow. It’s kind of heavy. So, it showed up in that. I’m not sure, since my father wasn’t a dog, that there was quite as much direct–but fathers are teachers I suppose. Parents are teachers. And I guess Mr. Peabody, who is a teacher in a way has that quality. And I’m a new parent. I am a new father. I have a 1.5-year-old.
Blogger: Congratulations.
Mr. Rob Minkoff: Thank you very much. So, I’m learning many new lessons. But, I’ve been making movies for kids and for families for my whole career. But now, it’s taken on a slightly different meaning for me because I always saw myself as a kid. And now that I’m a parent I sort of see it from the other side.
Here we are with Director, Rob Minkoff…


I had a fantastic time at the screening and press junket for Mr. Peabody & Sherman. The movie will be in theaters nationwide Friday March 7th, and you should all go see it!
Connect with Mr. Peabody Online!

Visit the official website
Like Mr. Peabody & Sherman on Facebook
Follow @DWAnimation on Twitter
#MrPeabody
Please click HERE to enjoy a preview of the movie.