Ron’s Gone Wrong Press Junket
Get ready to meet your new best friend
20th Century Studio’s Ron’s Gone Wrong releases in theaters October 22, 2021, and I recently got the super cool chance to screen the movie and attend the Ron’s Gone Wrong Press Junket where we spoke with some of the cast, directors, and writers of the movie. If you read my Ron’s Gone Wrong Review then you know I really enjoyed the movie. It was funny and the story was heartwarming and discussed topics that are very important such as being yourself, how to be a good friend, the pitfalls of social media, etc. During the junket the cast, directors, and writers touched on all of these subjects and it was so much fun to hear from them about Ron’s Gone Wrong.
Ron’s Gone Wrong Press Junket
First off, I loved how many writers, directors, and individuals from the cast participated in this junket. I love hearing all of the different perspectives, inspirations, and all the thoughts behind a movie. The individuals from the cast who participated were Zach Galifianakis (Ron), Jack Dylan Grazer (Barney), Ed Helms (Graham), and Kylie Cantrall (Savannah). Julie Lockhart (Producer), Jean-Philippe Vine (Director), Sarah Smith (Director, Writer and Executive Producer), Octavio Rodriguez (Co-Director), and Peter Baynham (Writer and Executive Producer) also participated. There was so much talked about and discussed, but I wanted to share my favorites with you.
The Story
My overall favorite part of the junket was just hearing about the conception of Ron’s Gone Wrong. When Sarah and Peter were asked what they wanted the story to be about or what they wanted people to learn from the film Sara Smith said “…the idea of it came to me when I saw Her, the Spike Jonze film, and I thought, I’ve got to make a movie like that for my three year old who is sitting there immersed in her iPad, believing every single thing that she’s reading or hearing on it, including which is the best fabric softener, etc.”
Sarah then talked about something I personally love doing with my kids when we watch a movie, and that is talk about the film and what we can learn from it. “And I, as a filmmaker, want to make movie that I can watch with my kids. That is proper ‘movie’ movies, with ideas that are sophisticated, something for us to talk about and obviously hilarious.” (Sarah Smith)
Social Media
Social media is huge in Ron’s Gone Wrong and every one is connected to the internet through their B-Bots. (Not unlike today with everyone and their cell phones.) In the movie Kylie Cantrall’s character Savannah experiences first hand how cruel social media and the internet can be. When asked if she is afraid of the type of experience her character had Kylie Cantrall had a really great response and advice.
“It definitely is a scary thing. But as long as you’re just not letting it take over your life and having that balance of knowing when to put the phone down and having those real in-person connections, I think it’s so important to know your limits and not let it be your whole world.”
Kylie Cantrall
Being yourself and friendship through social media
But it was Jack Dylan Grazer that had 2 of my favorite quotes from the whole junket. When asked what message he had for kids who feel like they don’t fit in he said, “I guess, just know who you are at every age and the biggest thing, the most general way to say it is, just incorporate self-love and know your self-worth. And know your value, know how valuable you are, know how valid and valued you are. I think that’s super crucial.” Jack then continued and touched on a subject, that as a parent, I am concerned about as my kids grow up and start using technology and social media more and more. He talked about social media and how it
“..is advertised as the greatest way of making friends ever. But yet again, it’s the most toxic playground where you’ll get fed the most judgement you’ll ever see in your life. And it’s a toxic place to grow up. I think. So, the greatest thing I think is you should know who you are and stay grounded.”
Jack Dylan Grazer
Whew! The Ron’s Gone Wrong Press Junket was such a great junket, and so much fun. I cannot wait for you to see the movie. Remember it releases on 10/22/21!
Movie Synopsis
“Ron’s Gone Wrong” is the story of Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler, and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally connected device, which is supposed to be his “Best Friend out of the Box.” Ron’s hilarious malfunctions set against the backdrop of the social media age, launch them into an action-packed journey in which boy and robot come to terms with the wonderful messiness of true friendship.
