Jeff Kinney talks Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules in this exclusive interview. The film is now streaming on Disney+.
Jeff Kinney is the brilliant mind behind the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise. Mama’s Geeky sat down with him recently to talk about the newest film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. This is a new animated film that is now streaming on Disney+.
During the interview he exclaims that it is hard to believe within just a month he debuted a new Wimpy Kid book, movie, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloon. He says the only way to describe this is privilege. “I can’t believe that these stories have resonated the way that they have. And of course I just want to ride this wave until until somebody tells me I have to get off.”
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules focuses a lot on family, particularly Greg and Rodrick’s brotherhood. Kinney explains “With each one of these films, we were trying to dig into a really big and universal theme. And this one is all about sibling relationships. We really look at it from every angle. We get to see the perception of grandpa and dad and Greg and Rodrick. And even Greg’s mom. That’s really fun to be able to explore something that’s so universal.”
Speaking of grandpa, he is voiced by the incredible Ed Asner, who recently passed away. There is a lovely tribute to him at the end of the film which is sure to warm the hearts of anyone who loved his work. When asked to share memories of working with him, Jeff Kinney immediately says what an honor it was, and that he couldn’t believe they got Ed to sign on to the project.
“He brought so much to it. In a role that’s fairly short on the screen, he really makes it pay off. In fact, that’s my favorite moment in the film, when grandpa’s talking about his own boys. It packs quite a punch. He was a professional. He’s very brash and fun. And he’s exactly how you’d expect him to be. But I couldn’t believe I was sitting on the other end of the screen from Ed. It was really cool.” Kinney explains.
In this film Rodrick gives Greg a list of rules that will help him be more like him. Jeff says that he learned a lot from his older brother, but not in the way you might think. “I learned a lot from my older brother by looking through his yearbook. Basically, he would circle kids he didn’t like and write jerk or some sort of expletive next to their names. It’s funny how you as a kid, you’re always studying your older siblings yearbooks because that’s the key, that’s the code, that’s a password to that next phase.”
Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 17 was just released, and we know there will be more of these animated films coming. We asked Jeff Kinney if he just has an unlimited arsenal of material in his brain, because it sure seems that way. However, he says not at all. “Sometimes I feel like the sponge is wrung out. So it’s always a challenge to come up with that new story. I’m really hoping we get to adapt a lot of these books into films because this is really fun. It’s the most rewarding part of my professional life. And I’d really love to retell these stories in this way.”
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is now streaming on Disney+.
Full Jeff Kinney Interview
Be sure to check out the full interview with Jeff Kinney to learn all about what he learned from his older brother and more!
NEXT: Brady Noon Says Joining Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Is A Dream Come True
About Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules
The riotous antics of angst-ridden, disaster-prone middle school student Greg Heffley continue in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules,” focusing this time around on his complicated relationship with older brother Rodrick. A spikey-haired high school student, Rodrick is lazy and undisciplined and spends way too much time practicing with his rock band, Löded Diper. While he loves to torment Greg, he ultimately has a deep affection for his younger brother.
Directed by Luke Cormican (“Teen Titans Go!) and written and produced by Jeff Kinney, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” features the voices of Brady Noon (“The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers”), Ethan William Childress (“mixed-ish”), Edward Asner (“Up”), Chris Diamantopoulos (“Silicon Valley”), Erica Cerra (“Power Rangers”), and Hunter Dillon (“Deadpool 2”). “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” features the original song, “Can You Smell Us Now,” written and produced by Jon Levine, with lyrics by Jeff Kinney, and performed by Jimmy Tatro.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is streaming on Disney+ now.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.