Actor Robbie Amell chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about starring in “Racewalkers,” where he plays Ched Lester.
Kevin Claydon and Phil Moniz directed this film, and they co-star in it alongside Robbie Amell, Greg Bryk, and Italia Ricci. Claydon and Moniz co-wrote the screenplay with Evan Landry.
The synopsis is: A struggling racewalking coach Will (Phil Moniz) and a washed-up pro baseball player Matt (Kevin Claydon) with a surprisingly natural stride team up to take on the best walker in the sport. Ched (played by Robbie Amell) is the best walker in the sport.
Amell on starring in the film
On being afforded the chance to star in this movie, Amell remarked, “I saw Phil and Kevin did a web series called ‘Short Term Sentence,’ and I thought it was very funny and incredibly well done for the budget they had. Jeff Chan and I wanted to find a way to work with them. Then, they sent us ‘Racewalkers,’ and after the logline, I loved it. I thought it was funny and we went out for dinner.”
“Essentially, Jeff and I tried to help make this movie as best as we can. We never wanted to stop anybody from making anything. One year later, we were on set and it was just one of those films that felt so special when you’re making it. Everybody was family and friends. Everybody worked their butts off, and it was not a lot of money but a lot of sweat equity,” Amell elaborated.
“I think everybody really cared about this project, and I think it shows in the final product. We completed it in a light-speed timeline,” he added.
Playing Ched Lester in ‘Racewalkers’
Amell was drawn to playing Ched Lester for several reasons. “I loved the sunglasses, the haircut, and the shorts. What’s not to like about him? I also liked the tattoos on the back of his arms that people don’t really get to see. They say, ‘Running Sucks.’ I really like those tattoos. I thought they were really stupid. I thought it was fun to play that over-the-top villain,” he said.
“It is even nicer when you’ve got Greg Bryk to not only play opposite of, but also as a scapegoat,” he said. “I don’t have to be the ultimate bad guy. I’m not totally unredeemable. So, that was really fun.”
Amell on the nostalgic vibe of the film
Amell was also drawn to the nostalgic, retro vibe of this film. “It really reminded me of movies that I grew up on such as ‘Happy Gilmore,’ ‘Cool Runnings,’ and ‘Major League’ with elements of ‘Ted Lass’ more recently. It’s so funny… I keep saying that this movie is a tough pitch to people but it’s so good and I really hope people find it,” he elaborated.
“Every single person that I know that has seen it has found the movie very funny and fun, and it’s great to see with a group of people in the movie theaters,” he said.
“I think it’s just one of those movies that will heavily rely on word of mouth, and I hope people tell all their friends about it, and I hope they find a way to see it,” he added.
Amell on working with Italia Ricci and Greg Bryk
Amell spoke about working with his wife, Italia Ricci, on this project. “The cast was insane because it was all favors being pulled,” he admitted. “Italia will be the first to tell you that she hated shooting our scene together because I kept changing the lines. She does not like that even though she’s very good at that. She hates it when I change the lines in the script.”
“Overall, we had so much fun. Italia was incredible in this movie! Also, Greg Bryk coming out and playing my father was wonderful. We were so lucky to have him,” he said. “We punched so well above our weight in every department of this movie. That was really the reason that this movie works because we didn’t have a lot of time, we didn’t have a lot of money, but we had a funny script and a lot of talented people.”
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Amell said, “Dad life.”
“Italia is shooting a movie in Winnipeg right now. So, my son and I are are just living the the messy bachelor life,” he said. “Tonight, my son has soccer, and he has T-ball weekends. He has hockey. We’re not playing as much hockey in the summer. I’m trying to give him a break but also every day it’s like ‘let’s go play stick and puck.’ I’m just surviving right now.”
Superpower of choice
Regarding his superpower of choice, Amell said, “I’m a sucker for convenience. It would want to be able to teleport. The very safe and convenient type of teleporting. I would want to be in Bora Bora and I would instantly get there. Especially now with traffic in Toronto during FIFA, give me teleportation all day!”
Favorite mottos to live by
On his favorite motto to live by, he said with a sweet laugh, “Running sucks.” “Try and have as little regret as possible,” he said. “I am trying to teach my son how to be kind. My mother is the kindest person I know. She has been helping us a lot, which is great. I would say there is no better advice than to just be kind.”
Best thing about being his age at this stage of his life
On the best thing about being his age, he jokingly laughed, “God, I only know bad things right now. I feel like I’m getting older faster. Everything hurts all the time. Yeah, I wish I was younger. Mentally, it’s great but physically, I wish I was younger.”
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Amell said, “Just getting to be an actor is really great. A lot of people in this business don’t have a chance to do it, so getting to do this for a living is awesome.”
“Also, getting to do it with your friends is even cooler, and getting to celebrate it with our friends on Friday at the premiere is is always a great night. The entertainment business especially is so much about the journey because there isn’t really a destination. You just keep going,” he explained.
Closing thoughts on ‘Racewalkers’
For fans and viewers, Amell expressed, “I want them to just have fun! Have a great time. I hope it will make them feel good and uplifted.”
To learn more about actor Robbie Amell, follow him on Instagram.
Read More: True Hollywood Talk’s rave review of “Racewalkers” film.
