Pablo Schreiber & the cast of Halo & the Joy of Rom-Coms with Camila Mendes and Archie Renaux

0:00 In this episode of pop Culture Weekly, I talk with the cast of Halo season two and from Upgraded, Camilla Mendez and Archie Renaud. Let's go Welcome to pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon from my Heart Radio your pop culture news, views, reviews and celebrity interviews on all the movies, TV music and pomp culture u CRABE Weekly. Here's Kyle McMahon, Na Na net, Hello and welcome the pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon. I have course from Kyle McMahon and I am so glad that you were here to hang out with me and discuss all things pop culture in this week's episode. I'm really excited.

0:44 So Halo season two is out today and Upgraded on Amazon prop video is out today. So I talk with the cast of Upgraded, Camilla Mendes and Archie Renault all about the film and and it is really a great funny rom com. It's smart, and you know it also has Marisa Tomey and the whole cast is great. But I talk with them, and I also talk with the cast of Halo season two, including you know who, Master Chief himself, Pablo Schreiber, and we talk all about the brand new season two of Halo, which has a bit of a reset and I'm loving it. I think you'll love it too. So let's start with executive producer and showrunner of Halo season two executive producer Key Key Wolfkill and show runner David Wiener. Let's go. Thank you so much for speaking with me. I really appreciate it.

1:48 Thank Kyle. So, first of all, congratulations on the success of the show and season two is extremely exciting and takes the series and you know, lots of brand new directions in many aspects. David, I'll start with you, if it's okay you are coming into this, you know, as the new show runner, if you will, how do you find it? You know, I kind of wonder do you find it more nerve wrecking that there's already a season done and so there's you know, maybe a little bit less pressure you're putting on yourself, or more so because there's already a season done. I think I think I liked the idea of being able to pick up what somebody else put down, you know, that it was about taking all the opportunities that are presented at the end of season one and say, well, what's most interesting about these? You know, what's most emotional, what's most compelling, and then being able to take those in in as deep an interesting direction as we could. So I I think it was it was there was fun in that. I enjoyed that. And Kiki, you have been for you know, a kind of massthead for this franchise for a long time. First of all, how did you, you know, finally seeing it on screen? What was that like for you? Yeah, I mean, first of all, like totally lulled by your voice, but oh thank

3:20 you. No, you know, for so long we'd thought about doing an adaptation for Halo, and it took so long, as you know, for it to come together. So it was incredible to see the world come to life differently, right, And I would say even more incredible now having season one of well season two as well, but having season one on our belts to be really clear on what we wanted for season two, and then even better now feeling like we were really able to execute on that. So I'm really excited for people to see season two because I feel like it's a little more distilled than we were able to do on season one, just because we were learning how to make the show. I love that and you know, it has to be for you. You know, it seems like in so many ways it's very much a baby of yours that you've kind of overseen this and then to see it come to fruition. You know, it's like I feel like when I went to Universal Studios and was in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I'm like, oh my god, it's like kind of really here, I assume in a much more you know, powerful way for you seeing this, you know, come to life and then being able to you know, directly affect what's happening and where it's going and all that. Do you find that that it's like, you know, like a piece of you.

4:45 Oh? Absolutely, I mean I what a gift right to be able to spend this long in the game industry and then really get to learn another industry and so much is different and so much is the same. But I think being able to in the nitty gritty details and then seeing this magic and with these crews, this magic come together and seeing it come to life on a giant screen and the music and all of it is incredible. And getting to work with people like David who has such incredible skill as a as a writer and showrunner to help bring it all to life. It really is a gift and I love I love how it's expanded the universe, and I love how it's shown the universe to new people as well as to our fans.

5:30 Awesome. Thank you both, and again, congrats on season two. I can't wait for everybody to see it on Paramount Plus. Let's shit. Thanksk Kiki Wolf, Kellen David Winner. I love the new direction that Halo season two was in. Halo season one was great, but let's be honest. You know, there were some problems and they are all addressed in season two, and that's what I love about this. So there you go. You heard. You heard it right from the source. Kiki and David. Great people, great show. Let's keep on going. Next up we have Joseph Morgan who plays James Akerson. Let's talk to Joseph Morgan. Thank you so much, Joseph for speaking with me. I really appreciate it. You're so welcome. Thanks for having me, of course. So first of all, congrats on season two of Halo. Your character is new in this world, you know, in the series itself. What was it like for you to kind of join this massive multi you know, multimedia franchise. I was incredibly exciting to join. You know, Halo has been a part of my life since I was a teenager. You know, I remember when the first game came out and playing it through co op with my best mate, you know, and then Halo two, and then Halo three, and then you know, Halo four, and so yeah, I was I was very very familiar

7:00 with the franchise, and I had flagged the season one of Halo to watch, you know, before I knew I was ever going to be a part of this show. So I was excited to see that, and then it was just absolutely thrilling to get the call about season two. As you know, they changed a lot of things about the show between season one and season two, including the show runner David Wiener, who's the new show runner that came on. And I had worked with David previously in Brave New World, and so he you know, he was the one who initially just sent me an email saying I've got there's a part in my new show. I'd really like you to do if you're available, and I'd love to talk to you about it. And then I thought, yeah, that's great, and I looked it up and I went, it's Halo. So I thought, how can I play this cool without just going yes? Before? Yeah? So I was. I was over the moon to be a part of it, you know. And for you, you know, to your character has kind of you know, worked his way up throughout his life, and then you know, as we see you, you are beginning to make a big impact.

8:13 I'm trying to be as spoiler free as possible, which is hard with this series. But but what is it like for you now that you're playing in this world, especially that, as you've said, you've essentially grown grown up in and and you're an important piece. I mean, really, it's you know, it's a cliche expression, but it really is kind of a dream come true. You know. There's the professional side of me that like, I've I've been acting for a long time now, and I've I've spent thousands of hours on set, so I'm confident to a certain degree. You know, I feel like I can hold my own and I'm working with these other terrific actors and I'm you know, figuring out scenes and bouncing dialogue and feeling like, Okay, I'm really on my game, and this is great.

8:58 And then there's like the teenage me who's walking along the set, you know, there's a Covenant ship set and or looking at like, oh, there's a wark, right, there's the armor, there's the Spartan armor. Okay, so you know, was I sneaking photos? Yes, of course. Did I try and wear the helmet and take a selfie in it? You'll never know, but don't. Yeah, there was. There was definitely an incredible joy at being there and being a part of it, and it's such a thrill. I think I'm an avid reader and I'm a gamer, like I play. I'm constantly gaming, so I love to be a part of these imaginary worlds and I think that's part of what draws me to acting.

9:48 And the gift as an actor is you get to walk on set and part of it isn't your imagination, it's literally there around you. And then you get to play like you're in that world and that's the greatest gift. And so this world particular means a lot to me, the world of Halo. So yeah, it was. It was a thrill. I can't wait for everybody to see Halo. You're amazing in it. Season two is incredible and it will be streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus. Thank you so much for speaking with me. Hey, thank you, man, I appreciate it. Joseph Morgan excellent. Next up, Bokeem would Bind, who plays sorein zero sixty six. All right, Beokeem would Bind. Thank you so much for speaking with me. But Keem, I really appreciate it. My pleasure.

10:33 Man. So, first of all, congratulations on the success of Halo and season two. I've watched you know a number of episodes now and it takes everything to a new level and many facets for you. You know, Season two in many ways is a bit of a reset, you know, both creatively with the showrunner and in the directions. It goes what was it like for you, you know, coming from season one and now and now with season two, it was a very interesting transition in so much as I realized in short order I was being propelled to more of the forefront than what I had anticipated initially based upon my experience from season one. If I might ad as an actor, I have a mercenarial mindset, you know, it's just the way things have been going here too. For I give my script, I have a conversation or two with the director. I prepare, I execute, I split, that's it. This was a more involved process in a

12:03 sense because it's a series, so it's not just a movie, and the connectivity to the story as a whole was a little bit more entrenched. H That took some recalibrating for me. Based upon season one, I figured I would just, you know, kind of pop in through my thing, you know what I mean, pop out? But this was like, no, man, you're you're You're in this, So thats aok ad. That took a shift and I'm happy. Actually it's a kind of a new experience and I'm happy And for you, you know, it obviously translates, in my opinion, extremely well for the viewer. Are you happy where you know the character, how he has developed? You know, I mean, because as you said, he was the same character but was much different in the grand scheme of things season one than where he is in season two and where I think he may be going. Like does that excite you? Oh? Most definitely. I liking it too, at the risk of silence, terribly corny.

13:33 I liking it to a marriage in the sense that you know, you you date right, have a wonderful time, and then you think, well, you know, perhaps wow, this is this is yeah, Wow, okay, let's let's let's let's expand yeah, let's just expand upon this notion, you know what I mean. Yeah, And then there's a little bit of intrepidation, obviously, because you don't know where it's going to go. You don't know how things are going to work out. But that initial instinct to take it further is a course that you follow, and you follow that course and you're not quite sure what's going to happen. But here we all it's about to go down. You know, we're about a week away from the show premiering. So I say all that to say, initially I hadn't anticipated this level of involved But now, in hindsight, I'm grateful that I took the challenge, and I'm inspired for what might be yet to come, if that makes sense. Absolutely, And I think it's a journey for the viewer as well. And I can't wait to see the course of sor and

15:03 going forward. And I can't wait for everybody to see Halo season two streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your time. Well pleasure than you have a great day. Bo Keem, bo Keem wouldbine Bokeem really has a whole I mean, plays the same role, but he has a whole new role. How do I say it? He has a whole new mission. I guess that's a good way to put it for Halo season two, and he does great. I love it all right, master chief himself, Let's talk with him V one and only. Pablo Schreiber. Thank you so much, Pablo for speaking with me. I really appreciate it. Oh my pleasure. Thanks Kyle, of course. So first of all, congratulations on the success of Halo. I love the first season.

15:54 The second season. I've seen the first few episodes and it is really taken the series to to new places in so many ways. What is it like for you, you know, to see it's a it's a pretty, in my opinion, significant growth. How do you you know? What is that like for you as an actor, especially at the center of it all. It's it's great, It's it feels good it you know. For me, Am, I always try as much as I can, you know, to show up every day and work as hard as I can and try to have a positive effect on anything that I do, and so uh, to see something moving in a positive direction, to see results that I feel are are better for the universe, better for the for the show to me, is very fulfilling. We have a new showrunner, David Wieners, taking the second season, and you know, my job as an actor is to fulfill the vision of the of the show runner right and make it the best that it could possibly be. So on the second season, I'm doing my best to bring David Wiener's vision to life, and I think he's got a great and unique take on it. I think the tone of the second season is quite different, feels darker, more mysterious. A lot of the action stuff just feels more immediate. You know, you're you're It's more subjective. You're put into the battle with the characters and and it just leaves you or or brings you along on the journey in a way. I think that serves the universe better. Yeah, I love it, and you know, for me,

17:26 I got to ask you, Uh, this is my first time speaking with you when you got the role. You know, I mean, this is like a big, storied franchise. It has you know, hundreds of millions of fans around the world through all different kinds of mediums. Were you like terrified or were you like a kid in a candy story? You know, what was that like for you? When I got the job, I honestly I wasn't even thinking about what the ramifications of it might be in terms of in terms of the you know, the fans and all of that stuff. What I felt right away is how how much the franchise meant to so many people. You know, from the very beginning, I was confronted with the very real sense that this universe and this franchise really meant a lot to a lot of people. And the more I dug into it, the more I understood why and why. It was not just the franchise, but you know, the character himself and how much he meant to people. And you know, when we played the video game back in the day, we all played the character as Master Chief, you know, and we were asked to fill in the details of his character with our own personality. So we all ended up creating our own vision of who the Master Chief is in our minds, right, So you have millions of people that have their own sense of who Master Chief is and what he should be. And so that kind of disparate opinion and disparate feeling on one character, that's the part I didn't really understand.

19:00 And when I took the job, that kind of filled itself in as as we got going, and as you know, first season came out and I felt reactions to that, both positive and negative, and all of it's great. Man Like the passion from the fans, whether it's positive, whether it's negative, whether it's directed at me. I love it all because it means that people are passionate and they're engaged, and they really care about something, you know, and for me, I care about it too. I love it. You know. I fell in love with this universe and I just want the best for it. And I want as many of the Halo fans that have loved this game from the beginning to be able to enjoy this experience. And you know, that adds on to the Halo franchise and adds on to what the video games established. And I want as many new people who didn't know what Halo was to be able to experience this and feel the beauty of this massive universe and how intricately and wonderfully it's been created. By the people who have taken care of this franchise from the beginning, and so you know, as much as you know, as much as the people can be loud and opinionated and hurtful with their comments, that level of passion, to me is really beautiful and it's one that I feel even stronger about you.

20:23 So they're all in this together, man, and I really hope, you know, as many people as possible can come and check out the new season on February eighth on Paramount Plus and find something that adds to the Halo universe in a positive way for them. Absolutely, I think you've done an incredible job. Thank you so much for speaking with me, Pablo. I really appreciate it, and I can't wait for everybody to see Halo Season two. Thanks Kyle, appreciate your time. Brother, appreciate you. Pablo Schreiber, I just talk to Master Chief, do you believe it? I love Pablo. He's so great and everything he does, but he's amazing as Master Chief in Halo Season two and Halo season one, by the way, all right, there you go. The first two episodes of Halo Season two are out right now on Paramount Plus, and of course the rest of the season will come out over the next few weeks. So there you go, Halo Season two. All right, So we're gonna take a break. Got to pay the bills, you know what I mean. So hang with me for sixty seconds and we'll be back to speak with Camilla Mendez and Archie Renault about their brand new Prime video film Upgraded. All right, Thanks for hanging with me through those ads. We love our advertisers. They help pay the bills and allow me to continue to bring you great content. And then you listen, and then you yell at me sometimes when you don't agree with my opinions, and you talk to me about what you do love and we fanboy over

21:56 things together, and that's why I love you and I love doing this show. All right, So without further ado, let's speak to the stars of the brand new film on Amazon Prime Video upgraded, Camilla Mendez and Archie for No. Thank you both for joining me. I really appreciate it. Thanks for having us, of course. So uh, this this film, you know, it's romance, it's comedy, it's it's got some drama. How fun was it for for you to make it? We can either one and Camilla if you want to start. Yeah, I had a blast. I feel like there were so many different you know, every time I worked with a different actor, I felt like I was in a different movie. Sometimes each actor and each each dynamic brought so much you know, nuance and a different flavor to the to the movie. So you know, it's like I have these romantic scenes with Archie that were really fun, and then and then this like boss and intern dynamic with with Claire, and then you know, having the relationship with Will's mom Catherine. Each one was just so exciting and new. So I had a lot of fun acting opposite all my co stars.

23:17 And how about for you, Archie, Yeah, I'd say it's just nice. It's a nice change. You know, some some jobs that some like genres are very intense and mistakes are like constantly so so high, and so with like something like this where you kind of get to be off camera as kind of giddy at as city is, you know, kind of help create that energy. So it's it's it's not so it's not so taxing. It's like it's very comfortable and then you're like bouncing off each other. So yeah, it's a good, good, good environment and was there you know, you mentioned bouncing off each other. Was there any you know, ad libbing in what you were doing or you know, was it a pretty straightforward creative process. I wouldn't say it was straightforward. We definitely did a lot of rewriting just so that we could tailor the character to the characters, to the actors. You know. I know, with Anna a lot of a lot of my lines were changed because I wanted to make sure that, you know, that it felt organic to her and it felt organic to me in terms of performance, and also just really like getting specific with Anna and Will's dynamic and what is it about them and their differences that make them connect and how they balance each other out. So so there there was a lot of rewriting and definitely a little bit of improv here and there. Mind sight and

24:48 you know, you both have had incredible careers so far and those will continue. Where how does this fit? So? You know, Archie, you you've done a lot of different h uh, you know, not so much in the romantic genre category as as this is where you know, some of your projects that you've had before. How does that is this just like another kind of you know avenue for you to to be an artist or was this something that you were like, you know, I want to do like a romantic comedy film sort of thing. I don't really know what I want to do, to be honest, I'm I'm just hoping to anything anything that seems like fun that I'm very lucky to be doing this job. This is like it doesn't feel like a job. I love this anyway. So yeah, well I wouldn't you know, I wouldn't say I was actively like out looking for it. It's a great script, great people involved as well. Yeah, just a lot of fun. And and Camilla, is this you know for you similarly, you know, you have a very varied background as well.

25:55 When you're looking to, you know, decide if you want to do a role or not. You know, is that like the back of your is that in the back of your mind, like you know, you know, I've always kind of wanted to do, you know, this sort of film where I I've always wanted to work with this person or whatever. Yeah, It's it's always like a you know, a combination of things that make me want to do a role. But for this one specifically, I'd say it was just that it felt like something I hadn't done before, like I've been in rom coms, but not with this kind of character. Normally, I feel like I've I've played a lot of really confident, you know, self assured characters who always have something witty and smart to say. And Anna is a little bit more softer and light hearted and sillier. And I think there was it's not so fun to be in a movie, uh, with a character like that. So you know, that's I think what I think about when I take on a role is does this feel new and exciting to me? For even if it's something that doesn't feel new exciting to anyone else, if it feels new and exciting to me personally, then that's what makes me want to do it. Awesome, And you know, both of you, have you this is kind of to the to the plot of the film.

27:12 Have you ever and obviously you know if you have current partners that you don't, but have you ever in the past had a little fib to you know, maybe woo somebody that you were interested in? No, Mam, I think I think if you're gonna lie to someone, I'll talking to him that It just really cringes me out at you feel a bit sick. I agree. I feel like it's for me, Like even a little white lie is such a commitment and it's a risk I'm not willing to take. Yeah, yeah, I love that. I always tell people I can't even remember, like what I ate this morning, let alone try to keep you know, lies lies all set. It's just too much. But you have people that you know, have whole relationships that you know have been based on something they thought was innocuous at first and and it's not. It shocks me what some people try to get away with in terms of someone a whole scripts out.

28:15 For me, if I was going to get away with it, I could keep up of it. Otherwise mine's then And what do you finally, what do you both hope you know, somebody takes from when they're watching the film, you know, is this something you want them to think about? Is this something you just want them to have a great time with, you know, one of their friends or their their love interest. Yeah. I think with with rom coms, I mean, at least with ours, it's very it's pretty straightforward, and that I want people to enjoy it and feel comforted by it. You know, it's a sweet story and it's it's ultimately a fun movie. It's not like super serious, so, you know, even though there I think there is a very beautiful message to it, you know, which for me is this idea of faking it till you make it and how that can actually you know, even though lying is yes bad, there's a power to you know, manifesting your goals. If you just act like you're a successful person, you're going to attract success in your life.

29:22 And I think there's a powerful message in that. But ultimately, you know, the beauty of a movie like this is that we're just trying to deliver a good quality rom com. You know. We don't want to give a rom com that's something you feel like you've seen a million times. We want it to feel unique and nuanced, but also familiar enough that it's comforting and enjoyable. I love that. Thank you both. I think you have accomplished that with this. It is you know, fresh and fun and and sweet. I think that's the perfect way to say it. I can't wait for everybody to see the film. Thank you both for speaking with me. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Cheers, have a great day. Kamela Mendez in Artsy. You know the film is great. Upgraded is really a lot of fun funny. Couldn't come at a better time, because you know Valentine's Day is next week and the big game is this Sunday, you know, that big sports ball game and where Usher is doing a concert and they play sports ball before and after. I guess to entertain you before Usher comes on in any event, Upgraded is out right now on Prime Video. Check it out. Great fun, little funny film that I think you'll enjoy. All Right, that is the show for this episode. Thank you for chilling with me and doing all things pop culture.

30:48 Upgraded is available right now to stream on Prime Video and Halo Season two has debuted right now on Paramount Plus. Let me know what you think. Hit me up on socials at KMAC Music on Instagram, Real Kyle McMahon on Facebook and YouTube, pop Culture Weekly on YouTube, wherever else you want to hit me up. You know how to hit me up if you haven't yet, and if you haven't yet, do so. You know we'll have a good convo about pop culture, movies, music, streaming, whatever it is you want to talk about. All right, One last thing, the full interviews on video are available on the pop Culture Weekly YouTube as well as Facebook, so head on over and check them out if you want and let me know what you think. All right, I love you, See you next week. Well, thank you for listening to pop Culture Weekly. Here all the latest at popcultureweekly dot com. Jest, achieve and commita madness and a chiefan not to hear VERO shoes due end a very a verb. Right now, m bout my prosing p min Ah year Yeah,