However, a fluke lands her in NASA’s highly competitive astronaut training program.
Collider: This movie is so much fun.
TOM HOPPER: Oh, great.
Thats what we hoped it would be for people.
I think people need a bit of feel-good these days.
I like being a part of that feeling for people.
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 think its important.
I love a messy character that it’s possible for you to root for.
Theres just something so fun about that.
HOPPER: Because were all a mess, really, arent we?
We can all relate to that.
Why Is Tom Hoppers Straight-Laced Character Attracted to Emma Roberts' Human Wrecking Ball?
This feels like a character thats pretty reserved.
Hes professional, at least when we see him at work.
What most stood out to you with him?
Hes fallen into that trap.
Hes had a great career.
But who is Logan?
Image via Prime Video
Who is this guy?
Rex then comes flying in like a wrecking ball, and thats why hes so drawn to her.
Were there ongoing conversations, especially as you guys figured out how your humor best fit together?
Image via Starz
HOPPER: It read that way.
Thats why I liked it.
I wanted a comedy.
Thats what I was looking for when I was reading scripts at the time.
It was very unique in that way.
And at the same time, youre laughing throughout.
How can we bring more laughs to it?
How can we make it more fun?
From Florida to space!
Probably everyone has considered going to space or thought about what it might be like, at some point.
Is it something you had ever thought about?
Had you ever dreamed about being an astronaut or wondering about what going into space would be like?
Ive always been like, Well, it cant just be us.
Theres too much evidence.
Its more about, what is out there?
It becomes scary if you delve too far into it in your mind.
You start to just freak yourself out.
What was that like to figure out?
HOPPER: We embraced it, really.
For me, that was great.
I was like, Lets just lean into it.
Theres definitely a big height difference between me and Emma, for sure.
I also really loved the karaoke duet you and Emma have with Mr. Jones.
Who chose that song?
Did you get to rehearse it?
Do you never want to hear that song again?
This was probably the former.
I really love doing that scene.
Id just flown in, and we had to go straight for a rehearsal.
I was pleased they chose it because that was the one I was most familiar with.
It worked out really great.
It was a really fun scene to shoot, in the end.
We were both quite nervous about it, but it actually turned out great.
The movie debuts this July on Prime Video.
You also have a lot of phone conversations with Poppy Liu, doing different voices and different sound effects.
What was actually going on for you, in those scenes?
Did you just have some random person reading lines off-camera?
Did you get to know what she would be doing, at all?
HOPPER: People took turns.
It was either Liz, the director, reading the lines, or Lizs assistant.
So, I had a great time on my own, doing pretend phone conversations.
I just got to react as I wanted, really, within the realm of the scene.
It was actually really fun for me.
You and Gabrielle Union are pretty much side by side throughout the film.
What do you think the history of those characters was, prior to when we meet them?
HOPPER: Thats a good point.
Ive never really thought about that.
Theyve obviously worked their way up together.
This is group 40, or more, of these cadets.
They do this all the time.
This is just the first time that theyre trying to mix it up.
They know the way that each other works, quite well.
Its a fun dynamic.
It was great to work with Gab.
Do you feel like you reached a satisfying conclusion with each of those characters and their stories?
What were the endings of those experiences like?
HOPPER:Black Sailswas an incredible experience.
I was very pleased with that.
Im still best friends with a lot of the guys fromBlack Sails.
Im very close to Luke Roberts, Toby Stephens and Luke Arnold.
I just worked with Luke Roberts again on something because were so tight.
We see each other all the time.
In terms of howThe Umbrella Academycompares, we were like a family.
It was a weird ending to shoot.
Its an emotional end to the show, which youll see.
It didnt really hit me on set because that was just about finishing the show.
I love those guys so much.
Theyre like my siblings, really.
It will be emotional.
Im very fortunate that weve gotten to complete shows.
Theres bucket loads of [fun].
You know the ending of a movie is inevitable because its all right there in your script.
HOPPER: Yeah, its very, very different.
Theyre completely unique experiences.
Its also saying goodbye to your character.
Someone said to me, Have you said goodbye to Luther?
And I was like, Oh, my God, Ive never even thought of that.
Some actors will say goodbye to their character, but Ive never done that.
Ive never thought of it that way because, for me, they live on.
They live on, on a platform like Netflix or whatever.
Its done, but that character will forever exist.
Im really pleased that they are the way they are because you do get attached to them.
Its a more immersive, unique experience, and then its done.
Space Cadetis available to stream on Prime Video.
Check out the trailer:
Watch on Prime Video
