Snoop Dogg and The Underdoggs cast and creatives discuss the inspiration they hope this film is for every underdog watching.
In The Underdoggs, Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings (Snoop Dogg) is a washed-up ex-professional football star who has hit rock bottom. When he is sentenced to community service coaching the Underdoggs, an unruly pee-wee football team in his hometown of Long Beach, California, he sees it as an opportunity to rebuild his public image and turn his life around.
We caught up with the stars of the film, including Snoop Dogg, Tika Sumpter, and Kandi Burruss, on the purple carpet to discuss this incredibly inspiring film. The Underdoggs hits Prime Video on January 26th.
Snoop Dogg Talks The Underdoggs On The Red Carpet
Tessa Smith: What did you use, if anything, from your real life experiences in The Underdoggs?
Snoop Dogg: I didn’t use my real life character until I got to the end of the movie. When it was time for compassion, when it was time for understanding, when it was time to make a decision on choosing the kids or my career. That’s when I was able to use Snoop Dogg. Everything before that, none of me.
Tessa Smith: What was it like working with the kids?
Snoop Dogg: Amazing. I used to have a movie that I loved as a kid called Bustin’ Loose with Richard Pryor. He was working with a bunch of kids in that movie and I’ve always wanting to do a movie with me and some kids. And this is a dream come true.
Tessa Smith: What else about The Underdoggs drew you to want to be a part of it?
Snoop Dogg: To be able to produce is a lot because it’s not just putting your name on it. It’s actually making decisions and calling people and doing things and making sure that this actor is who you get and everything is aligned and working like it’s supposed to, so I learned a whole lot. And I think I did a good job and I’m anxious to see what the movie look like.
Tessa Smith: What are you most excited for people to see?
Snoop Dogg: The kids. The kids because these kids represent the kids of today. These aren’t kids from the ’90s. These are kids from the 2020’s.
Tika Sumpter Talks The Underdoggs On The Red Carpet
Tessa Smith: What was is about The Underdoggs that made you want to be a part of it?
Tika Sumpter: Oh, I love Snoop Dogg. The script is great. Director Charles Stone is amazing. I actually worked with him on something else and also worked with Snoop on something else. So it all just like, we all started to know each other all the time. And it just all worked together for the good.
Tessa Smith: What was it like working with all the kids?
Tika Sumpter: It was a lot. It was amazing. I only have one kid, that’s good enough for me right now. No, but it was good. It was good. They made me realize how grateful I am because they were having so much fun. They’re new to this. So you forget we’re not doing brain surgery. Why are we screaming? Let’s enjoy ourselves. So kids remind you to enjoy yourselves, whether you like it or not.
Tessa Smith: What do you hope people take away from The Underdoggs?
Tika Sumpter: I hope they know that, wherever you are in life, it’s never the end. It’s not the end until you’re actually gone. You always have a shot and there’s an opportunity to keep going. You have another day.
Kandi Burruss Talks The Underdoggs On The Red Carpet
Tessa Smith: What was it about The Underdoggs that made you want to be a part of it?
Kandi Burress: Snoop Dogg actually reached out to me and said he wanted me to be a part of the film and I was so excited! Of course, I love the story because it reminds you of Bad News Bears and all those films like that, where it’s just fun. It’s a fun movie. Snoop and Mike Epps… they are hilarious. Throughout the entire movie they have you laughing.
Tessa Smith: I hear that the kids cuss a lot in this film, what was that like?
Kandi Burress: You know, you want to just put them over your knee. No, I’m just kidding. Yes, I mean, that’s the concept of the story, but it’s so funny because I was sitting there thinking to myself now if my son Ace was in this movie… I definitely would have let him do it because it’s all in fun, right? The overall story of the film is basically sometimes you do have kids that are rough around the edges, and if you have that village around them, or get people around them that support them and love them, they can become great. You don’t always have to look at them as “Oh, there’s that bad kid.” I think it has a lot of great things. Great takeaways.
Tessa Smith: What was it like working with Snoop Dogg?
Kandi Burress: Great. He is so fun to work with. He always has a good attitude on set and brings up everybody’s spirit. You know what I mean? He’s funny. Him and Mike Epps going back and forth between takes, and on camera, they just had us laughing all the time. I love it.
Tessa Smith: What are you most excited for people to see?
Kandi Burruss: I’m most excited, overall, for them to see the full performance of the movie. I think Snoop Dogg did an amazing job leading the film. I think they are gonna get a good laugh.
Be sure to watch the full video to hear from more of The Underdoggs cast as well as the creative team.
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About The Underdoggs
Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings (Snoop Dogg) is a washed-up ex-professional football star who has hit rock bottom. When Jaycen is sentenced to community service coaching the Underdoggs, an unruly pee-wee football team in his hometown of Long Beach, California, he sees it as an opportunity to rebuild his public image and turn his life around.
As Jaycen works to transform the foul-mouthed Underdoggs into top-notch champions, he reconnects with his past, including an old flame and few of his ex-teammates and rediscovers his love of the game.
The Underdoggs comes to Prime Video on January 26th.
