http://www.kiwithebeauty.com

(L-R): Meredith Hagner as Kyla, Yvonne Orji as Emily, Lil Rel Howery as Marcus and John Cena as Ron in 20th Century Studios’ VACATION FRIENDS, exclusively on Hulu. Photo by Jessica Miglio. © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Summer maybe ending but the friends you make on vacation are forever! I got a chance to attended the virtual press conference for the 20^th Century Studios’ and Hulu original comedy VACATION FRIENDS with the entire cast and director; John Cena, Yvonne Orji, Andrew Bachelor, Robert Wisdom, Director Clay Tarver, and Lil Rel Howery. 

Let me tell you before getting into my personal thoughts of the movie, I think this is definitely one of the best comedies of the summer! Please check out the trailer and synopsis below before I dive into the Q&A with the cast!

TRAILER

ABOUT VACATION FRIENDS

In this raw and raunchy comedy, straight-laced Marcus and Emily (Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji) are befriended by wild, thrill-seeking partiers Ron and Kyla (John Cena, Meredith Hagner) at a resort in Mexico. Living in the moment, the usually level-headed couple lets loose to enjoy a week of uninhibited fun and debauchery with their new “vacation friends.” Months after their walk on the wild side, Marcus and Emily are horrified when Ron and Kyla show up uninvited at their wedding, creating chaos and proving that what happens on vacation, doesn’t necessarily stay on vacation.

Vacation Friends Q&A

(L-R): Lil Rel Howery as Marcus, Meredith Hagner as Kyla, John Cena as Ron and Yvonne Orji as Emily in 20th Century Studios’ VACATION FRIENDS, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2021 20th Century Studios.  All Rights Reserved.

John, coming from a wrestling background and being cast typically as the big tough guy, can you share what it was like playing the opposite of that in this movie?

John Cena: It’s very obvious how to play comedy with me, you use a big guy and you go against the physical stereotypes or you lean into them. A lot of this was leaning in there, because on his resume he’s such a badass, but in life he’s an emotional person and I love the contrast of that. Because Rel is so wound up, it really gave great balance, then you see this wound up dude with all this energy trying to take it out on this large, hulky man who just really wants to give him a hug.

VACATION FRIENDS
(L-R): Yvonne Orji as Emily, John Cena as Ron, Lil Rel Howery as Marcus and Meredith Hagner as Kyla

The chemistry and fun you all had making this film definitely stands out when watching it. Were there any room to improvise the line for the film?

Clay Tavarer (director) : I wanted each actor to make the characters their own. And steer what we were doing towards their strengths and really have fun with it. They were all just so good. I mean it really did feel like two couples who’ve known each other for a really long time. The chemistry I found was just amazing.

Lil Rel Howery: That’s one of the funny things about doing a well-written comedy is that the words was there. So all I did was just make the words come to life.

With so many crazy fun scenes in this movie were there any that stuck out as your favorite?

Yvonne Orji: The bar hopping. It was just mayhem but in the best way possible. We also didn’t know that the world was shutting down on the other side of the ocean. We were in our little bubble, so that was fun.

Robert Wisdom: There were a few things. There was a big ballroom scene that I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was so crazy, but it was fun. And there’s a scene I don’t want to [spoil] right now but I had a ball.

(L-R): Yvonne Orji as Emily and Lil Rel Howery as Marcus in 20th Century Studios’ VACATION FRIENDS, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2021 20th Century Studios.  All Rights Reserved.

Marcus tries very hard to get Emily’s dad to like him. Have you ever had to work to get someone to like you in real life?

Rel: That’s a good question…

Yvonne: Me. You tried to make me desperately like you and I was just like it’s okay, you don’t have to try so hard.

Rel: ::Laughs:: That is the truth, Yvonne. I took you to get crab legs. Really though, I’ve been a confident nerd a long time.

(L-R): Yvonne Orji as Emily, Meredith Hagner as Kyla, Lil Rel Howery as Marcus and John Cena as Ron in 20th Century Studios’ VACATION FRIENDS, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2021 20th Century Studios.  All Rights Reserved.

What is the most insane thing you have ever done or ever witnessed while on vacation? 

Robert: ::laughing:: Tequila leads to everything. I mean stuff happens. And it depends on what you call crazy.

…a threesome!

Rel: In Puerto Rico, the girl I was dating at the time wanted to get on one of those horses on the beach. And I’m like, nah, “I don’t want to do that, man. I don’t think these are trained correctly.” But we did it. By the time we got to the end of the beach, my horse started acting crazy. And then the guy was speaking Spanish to the horse. And they start arguing, the horse and the man. Then when we were going back to where we came from, the horse just went crazy and threw me off.

Andrew: I’m not as bold as Robert. ::Laughs:: I really love traveling. And I’ve met some crazy characters while traveling. I just go with the flow.

With everything still going on in the world and people looking for a bit of an escape from all the heavy stuff, what do you hope audiences get from Vacation Friends?

Clay:I think everyone’s ready for a good-vibe movie.

Yvonne: Some vacations have been cut short in real life and I think people are looking for just any kind of escapism and people having fun as well.

John: I think Yvonne makes a great point because we’ve all had to modify what vacation means to us. I hope audiences are entertained and they laugh. That’s what I hope they take away.

Rel: I think audiences are going to enjoy just seeing [what] is almost like a blueprint of fun. (Laughs) And this movie is so funny. And laughter is so important right now. I think laughter is just good for the soul.

Final question, let’s get real. Who would actually win in a fight with a rabid fox you or John?

Rel: Oh I mean come on. Me!

John: I honestly think so. I haven’t been in a real fight in 20 years!

VACATION FRIENDS is streaming on Hulu starting August 27

Do you have any friends you still keep in touch with from a vacation?