OLD SKOOL CAMEOS & A KICKIN’-ASS CAST

For director Harvey Glazer, working with a mix of young actors and familiar faces from the’80s offered some unique opportunities for comic inspiration. “The cameos were huge fun for everyone involved in this film, and I know audiences are going to respond with great nostalgia to all those familiar faces they remember fondly from the ’80s,” says Glazer. “I mean, writing jokes into the script for a talking car, was nothing short of hysterical fun, and David Hasselhoff, well, he’s like the epitome of icons for that era. It was wonderful of him and all the other TV greats to pop in and give this film an extra kick.”

Jamie Kennedy was also appreciative to all the other actors who stepped into the film, even if only for a moment. “Eric Estrada, John Ratzenberger, Emmanuelle Lewis and even the World Wrestling Federation’s ‘bad guy’ Rowdy Roddy Piper -- they all were tremendous to work with,” says Kennedy. “Their participation allowed Harvey to layer the story with visual triggers that every one who lived through the ’80s can identify with and have great fun remembering.”

Both Glazer and Kennedy were equally indebted to having the opportunity to work with such a fine cast of supporting actors. From the kids who played the ’80s grade- schoolers in the beginning of the film, to the talented actors who brought the story to life after Justin wakes up to modern day, the entire cast made Old Skool really kool. “We were extremely lucky to come across the group of kids who appear in the talent contest that sets up the premise for the film,” says Glazer. “Alexander Calvert, who plays 12-year old Justin not only could act, but the kid could really dance, and he even had charisma!”

Kennedy was equally enthusiastic about Calvert. “Listen, when Alex grows up, lock up your daughters! Truthfully, I was honored to have such a cool kid play the younger me.”

Maria Menounos, who stars as the grown up Jennifer Stone, says that it’s Kennedy himself who’s the cool one. In fact it was his participation in the film that attracted the Access Hollywood star and Today Show correspondent to the role. “In interviews, everyone always gushes about their costars, using phrases like ‘so gifted’ and ‘a true genius’ and ‘what a rare talent,’ and now I feel foolish because I want to do the same thing when referring to Jamie,” says Menounos. “But it’s true. Jamie is all that and more. I mean, I’ve always been a fan of his, so I wasn't surprised at how hard he made us all laugh. But what did take me aback was his extensive knowledge of the craft of filmmaking.”

Menounos adds that she found herself readily drawn to the role of Justin’s long lost sweetheart who makes the mistake of getting involved with the antihero Kip because the character was easy to relate to. “What girl hasn’t been swept off her feet by a jerk at least one time in her life?” observes Menounos, who says that she was also drawn to the role because of the story itself. “It’s reminiscent of the classic film Big, one of my alltime favorites, and if that wasn’t enough, all the 80’s references just locked me in.”

No stranger to portraying antiheroes, Michael Rosenbaum, who is Justin’s grown up nemesis Kip Unger, says he was attracted to the story as well and he also enjoyed working with Menounos and Kennedy. “It was easy getting to be up close and personal with Maria, but the hard part of playing Kip was acting like I disliked Jamie’s character because in reality he’s such a great guy,” says Rosenbaum, known for portraying another scumbag, the evil Lex Luthor on the hit TV series Smallville, “All the people in this film were real professionals. Even Harvey Glazer who jumped in the film to play some kind of walking fast food!”

In truth, director Glazer did throw himself into the film not only behind the camera but also in front of it when he performed a pivotal on screen role as the obscured, but memorable Giant Chimichanga in the finale dance blowout. “Never let it be said that I didn’t kick some ass to make this movie the best it could be,” laughs Glazer. “I mean, I even kicked my own!”

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THE LOOK, THE FEEL, THE FUN
The ’80s are an era that a lot of people are familiar with whether they lived through them or are reliving them 24/7 all over the world on syndicated television.