This November 21, the animated film starring Adam Sandler in the voice of the protagonist will premiere on Netflix.
This November 21, Leo will finally be released, the new animated film from Netflix, which tells us the adventures of a lizard who seeks to live his life after discovering that he has little time left to live.
Directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim and starring Adam Sandler in the voice of the protagonist, the film is a combination of humor and music, while addressing different important themes.
Ahead of its release, we had the opportunity to speak with two of its directors, David Wachtenheim and Robert Marianetti, who told us about the main challenges of making this film, as well as Adam Sandler’s contribution to the construction of the film.protagonist.
Can Leo be enjoyed by minors as well as adults, was that a thought from the start?
David Wachtenheim (DW): Yes, it was very intentional. We wanted to make a movie that the whole family could sit down and watch and, you know, a lot of people, a lot of times they put their kids in front of an animated movie and watch it, and we really wanted to have something that if a parent wants to sit with the child and watch a movie, the father can also enjoy it. And this is something that, for Adam, Robert Smigel and us, is very important that the whole family benefits.
Leo addresses important topics while combining them with humor or music. Is it difficult to make this combination of elements work together?
Robert Marianetti (RM): Yes, it was a very, very difficult line to walk. We were aware of that from the start and I think we achieved it. You know, we have big problems like Leo dealing with his mortality and then we also have kids worried because their friends aren’t talking to them anymore, so we really have the whole gamut.
So I think we did a good job. Like I said, covering all our bases.
What were the main challenges when making Leo?
DW: One of the most important things is that we started when Covid started. So we worked entirely via zoom. In the past, we were used to working remotely. Because it’s animated, it’s all digital, it’s a little easier, but that was probably the hardest thing, where everyone was isolated at home and working through Zoom and couldn’t collaborate with people in person. That was probably the biggest challenge at the beginning.
RM: The cool thing is, you know, Adam and Roberts, Michael, co-directed it with us, they wrote the script together and really gave us an idea. So even though we were working remotely, we really had a really good idea of what we were going to do with the character and how we were going to bring Leo to life.
Adam Sandler plays a spectacular role as Leo. What was it like working with him?
DW: He is, yes, he is fantastic. He’s really a great guy. He is passionate about every project he has. He has a lot of ideas and constantly wants to improve them and add jokes. And fixing things and yeah, he’s a really busy guy too, so it’s hard to meet him, but he really loved this project and he was one hundred percent in it, and yeah, he’s definitely really picky about certain things , yeah, you know, if he likes something, he likes it, he likes it, if he doesn’t like it, he’ll tell you straight away that he doesn’t like it and we’ll tell you we will improve.
RM: One of the things that really surprises us is that in the time it took us to make this animated film, Adam was in five other films, like, you know, he’s a very busy guy. It was pretty incredible. And he really helped us as animators and directors by telling us how the character felt, how he should move and act. At the beginning he explained to us how his arms should move and act, that like an old man he should be slightly bent, he had a belly. So that was very helpful and influential in the outcome of the film.
What do you think is the main lesson that Leo leaves behind?
DW: Yes, I mean, the main thing is that people are not afraid to open up to others and if you have problems or reservations about talking about them, find a friend, a teacher, a parent or a brother to whom you open up and not hold back. back. Share your fears or anxieties with someone, that’s the most important thing.
RM: Yes I agree. The other thing, the other message is also, you know, Leo is older and is confronting his morality but throughout the story he learns from it. Sometimes one’s own wish list of helping others or interacting with others is just as important as one’s own wants and needs, and I feel like the message of the film, the way the character evolves, is really important .
DW: Older people have a lot to offer and they should, and they should be listened to. So here’s how it works for kids and adults…
Source: Latercera
