However, a fluke lands her in NASA’s highly competitive astronaut training program.
What Made ‘Space Cadet’ One of Emma Roberts' Favorite Scripts?
Collider: Youve said that this was one of your favorite scripts that youd ever read.
What did you respond to most, especially with the first read of it?
What are the immediate things that stuck out for you?
EMMA ROBERTS: First of all, the title wasSpace Cadet.
Space Cadet follows Tiffany “Rex” Simpson, a party girl from Florida, whose lifelong dream of going to space seems far-fetched. However, a fluke lands her in NASA’s highly competitive astronaut training program. Despite her lack of scientific expertise, Rex relies on her quick wit, determination, and moxie to navigate the challenges of the program. As she tries to keep her true background a secret, she captures the attention of NASA directors Pam and Logan. The film humorously explores Rex’s journey as she strives to prove that she has what it takes to reach the stars.
I was like, I know Im gonna love this.
It spoke to me already.
Im just glad that everyone Ive talked to seems to have come away feeling good.
I saw Liz GarciasThe Lifeguardand really liked that movie, so I was automatically interested in this film.
And then, this one came around.
She just has such a singular voice, but yet a relatable voice.
From Florida to space!
Youre also an executive producer on the film.
When did that become part of the conversation?
Image via Prime Video
Was that something that you immediately knew you want to do if you signed on?
It just meant a lot.
Are there areas where youre finding that you have strengths as a producer?
ROBERTS: I could go into such detail there, but I wont because its actually so boring.
Im a problem solver at heart, and I love to problem-solve.
I dont know how you got through that.
Did that become a tongue twister?
I just started saying it to myself.
It was such a tongue twister.
I cant repeat it back to you now.
I wish I could.
I love stuff like that.
I feel like the introduction to Rex repeating back that drink order is telling you who she is already.
Youre great at comedy and physical comedy.
It was so fun to watch you and Poppy Liu together in this.
ROBERTS: It was so much fun to work with Poppy.
Poppy is really a true comedic genius.
I just cant imagine Nadine, her character, being anybody else, in any other form.
It just is Poppy, at that moment in her life.
She steals the movie.
As somebody whos six feet tall, I love any time height is acknowledged.
What was it like to figure that out?
Was it fun to just play into that height difference?
ROBERTS: We probably did that a hundred times, I swear.
It was so funny and ridiculous.
Obviously, that was not in the script before because we had not cast Tom Hopper as Logan yet.
She just rolled with everyones differences and where everyone was at, physically and emotionally.
I love that, and I think thats part of her brilliance as a director.
You also sing twice in this movie.
You have Call Me Maybe on a treadmill and a duet with Tom Hopper to Mr. Jones during karaoke.
What are those moments like?
Are they fun, or are they nerve-wracking?
How do you decide on the song?
ROBERTS: Tom and I literally practiced Counting Crows for 20 minutes.
There were so many song choices and directions, and we didnt have a ton of rehearsal.
Mr. Jones was one that we all knew, so we worked on it the night before.
And then, on the day, we just went for it and we had so much fun.
And Carly Rae Jepsen is queen.
What was it like to sing while on the treadmill?
ROBERTS: Hence why its a very imperfect take on the song, but thats why its fun.
I love anytime theres singing in a movie.
I dont know why, but it just put a smile on my face.
I was glad we got to have a couple of those in this.
“I don’t need friends.
I need fans.”
Leading space camp seems like the perfect job for Rex.
Shes absolutely who you would want to be your cheerleader.
ROBERTS: My mom is my cheerleader, for sure.
Shes always been my biggest fan and my biggest supporter.
Shes the best, and Im super grateful.
Im very excited for that.
I think that people will be really surprised at the turns the movie takes.
It has much more depth to it than I think people will realize.
So, Im excited for that.
And then, this summer, I just wanna spend some quality time with my family.
Im not really sure whats next, afterThe Fourth Wall.
Im gonna need a half-hour comedy TV show season, after that.
Space Cadetis available to stream on Prime Video.
Check out the trailer:
Watch on Prime Video
