ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese talks You People stars Travis Bennett and Sam Jay in the Netflix show, which is now streaming. The duo discussed getting the film together with working with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill, as well as how valuable it was to work with such a star-studded cast.
“A newly married couple and their families find themselves exploring modern love and family dynamics amid clashing cultures, societal expectations, and generational differences in this comedy from Kenya Barris,” reads the movie logline.
Tyler Treese: Travis, so Eddie Murphy plays your father, you got your IG bio as “Eddie Murphy’s son.” I can’t think of anything better than that. How real was the casting and Eddie Murphy calling you his son?
Travis Bennett: That was amazing. It was like a childhood dream to work with these people. So I think for me it’s taking everything and trying to be as present as possible, which is completely impossible because you’re nervous and anxious the whole time and trying not to get distracted. But it was an experience I will never have again. Also, this is like my first big film, for me. I have done a few movies, but this is like the first time I feel that such a family is created here, and I feel a part of it.
Sam, you were great throughout the movie and your friendship with Jonah Hill was great. How natural is that chemistry? Talk to me by working with Jonas?
Sam Jay: It’s very natural. I’m a big fan of Jonah and so it’s like, the first day we did the first podcast scenes, in between, I just asked him like, direct-up fan questions. I said, “Dog, I have to ask you something. I’m sorry.” I said, “What’s your favorite role you’ve played?” And was like, “What is this?” He’s cool, just chill. When I answered that we were like friends who were just talking. That’s why the cross-screen was really translated when we entered the paper. So it’s super natural.
Travis, as you mentioned, the cast in this movie is just stacked. When you transitioned into an actor, how valuable was it to be around all these great stars and talents and to learn directly from them?
Travis Bennett: Oh, very interesting. It’s like taking a basketball team with a bunch of veterans and they just show you the ropes. So for me, I feel like, especially early in my career to experience this early on, it’s amazing. So many things I’ve learned, I don’t know, you’d expect some of these people to have egos, but they don’t, and they’re just there to do a good job and have fun. And I think that was what really brought me in, is the playfulness of everybody on the cast, especially those who have a lot of experience compared to me.
Sam, the podcast scenes are so funny. Are you two just riffing and fighting each other?
Sam Jay: Yeah, most of it is riffs and stuff. They gave us a lot of room to play, get your hands on it, like, ‘Hey, have fun with it, make your own.’ And so we riffed on a bunch of stuff. We riff, we riff
Travis, the wedding scene at the end looks like a blast with everyone partying. How was that filmed? Are you acting or just having fun? How is that?
Travis Bennett: Somewhere in between. You are having fun and you realize that you are shooting a scene and then it is very hot in that room. I’m not going to lie, that was the hottest physical room I’ve ever been in. So it’s a great way to end it on everyone’s big moment.